2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Toyota Sequoia

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic status with its timeless design, featuring circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, and exposed bolts and hinges. Its rugged appearance, reminiscent of a toy truck for adults, was unmistakable on the road. The Wrangler offered various trim levels, each with unique styling elements, but all retained the core design that made it instantly recognizable. Inside, the Wrangler prioritized function over comfort, with upright seating, limited legroom, and manual seat adjustments. For those who appreciated its charm, these features added to the Wrangler's appeal.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Sequoia, despite its 2018 facelift, showed its age with a design dating back to 2007. The subtle updates, like the lines connecting the grille to the headlights, were overshadowed by its imposing silhouette. Inside, the Sequoia's massive, multi-tiered center dash design felt outdated, and the standard 7-inch touchscreen appeared small against the expansive dash. However, the Sequoia offered ample cabin space, particularly in the second row, where passengers enjoyed generous headroom and legroom. The bulky seats provided comfort and support, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a diverse powertrain lineup, including gas, diesel, mild-hybrid, and the powerful Hemi V8. Most buyers opted for the standard 3.6-liter V6, delivering 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. The Wrangler's off-road capabilities were enhanced by three 4WD systems: Command-Trac, Select-Trac, and Rock-Trac, with features like front-and-rear locking differentials and a disconnectable front sway bar. The Rubicon 392, with its 6.4-liter V8 engine, produced 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, transforming the Wrangler into an off-road powerhouse.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a 5.7-liter V8 engine, generating 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission routed power through either rear-wheel drive or available four-wheel drive with low range. Despite its weight, the Sequoia offered strong acceleration and truck-like driving dynamics, appealing to those who appreciated the lurch of a V8 and a soft suspension. However, its towing capacity of 7,400 pounds lagged behind competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe, which offered higher towing capabilities.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler provided various top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top and the Freedom hardtop with removable panels. The Rubicon 392 featured the Sky one-touch power top, offering a convenient open-air experience. Inside, the Wrangler's cabin was functional, with limited storage space but effective in-door cargo nets and drain plugs for easy cleaning. The Wrangler Unlimited offered 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, comparable to smaller crossovers.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious cabin, with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and over 66 cubic feet with the third row folded. With all rear seats folded, it offered an impressive 120 cubic feet of cargo space, rivaling competitors like the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition. The Sequoia's power-retractable rear window was a standout feature, providing easy access to the cargo area. While the front-row space could have been better utilized, the Sequoia offered ample storage options, including deep in-door pockets and a massive center console.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler's base Sport trim featured a basic 5-inch screen, but higher trims offered a 7-inch or 8.4-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger screens provided crisp graphics and intuitive controls, complemented by radio toggles on the steering wheel. The Rubicon 392 included a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and an off-road camera nestled in the front grille, offering a clear view of the trail ahead.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. Our test model's 9-inch screen felt small on the large dash, but the system's simplicity and ease of use were appreciated. The digital trip computer was basic but functional, and the Sequoia's older infotainment technology offered a refreshing simplicity in an era of complex systems.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional modern driver-assistance features, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. However, these features were not standard, and the Wrangler lacked lane-departure warning. A backup camera with dynamic guidelines was included, along with a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came fully equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Despite its age, the Sequoia offered a generous list of standard safety features, though it lacked more advanced technologies like lane-keeping assist.