2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Willys ’41 Special Edition stood out even in the gloomy Southern California weather, drawing attention with its unique color, wheel design, and tan fabric top. Despite its World War II cosplay vibe, the wheels were a highlight, and Jeep could offer them as an accessory upgrade in various colors. The Willys ’41 offered different top options, including a body-color hardtop and the Sky One-Touch power-operated top, with the latter being more convenient but pricier. Inside, the Heritage Tan cloth seats matched the soft top, paired with an Olive Drab cloth dashboard insert and an exclusive ’41 shifter knob. The cabin retained the standard Wrangler's ruggedness, with hard plastic materials and an improved infotainment system, though it remained raw and unrefined, which suited its purpose for durability and easy cleaning.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max Platinum, painted in Storm Cloud, resembled a larger RAV4 with seating for up to eight and ample cargo space. Its conservative styling was familiar, and the interior emphasized function over form, with a layer of luxury in the Platinum trim. Glossy hard plastic and unlined storage surfaces were present, but the controls were logically laid out. The climate system was simple, with large knobs for temperature adjustment, though the infotainment interface had a tiny volume knob and lacked a tuning knob. The Grand Highlander’s interior was practical, with decent material quality and a focus on functionality.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe was America’s best-selling plug-in hybrid, with over 250,000 units built since 2021. It featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, offering an estimated 21 miles of electric-only range from a 17.3-kWh battery pack. In Hybrid mode, the Wrangler 4xe produced 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, significantly more than the gas-only turbo four and the available 3.6-liter V6 engine. During testing, it achieved 30.8 mpg over a mixed driving loop, though efficiency decreased without regular battery recharging. The Wrangler 4xe maintained its off-road capabilities but suffered from on-road flaws like a noisy interior and vague steering.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max combined a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with electronic full-time AWD and two electric motors, producing 362 horsepower. It offered a traditional six-speed automatic transmission, avoiding the droning common in CVTs. The Hybrid Max traded some fuel efficiency for performance, achieving 27 mpg compared to the regular hybrid’s 36 mpg. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds and provided rewarding acceleration, with a soft, isolating ride quality. The Hybrid Max averaged 23.3 mpg on a mountainous evaluation loop, with an expected 24-25 mpg in typical driving conditions. Its handling was secure, though the tires scrubbed early, and the ride could be bouncy on uneven surfaces.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe accommodated four adults, with a fifth person squeezed into the back seat. The top-tier Rubicon X offered power-adjustable front seats with Nappa leather, while most versions had manual adjusters and cloth upholstery. Storage space was limited, requiring creative solutions for small items. The soft top allowed quick access to open-air driving but complicated cargo loading, with 27.7 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 67.4 cubic feet with the back seat folded.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid provided comfortable seating across three rows, with nearly 100 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. The Platinum trim featured leather and artificial suede upholstery, with heated and ventilated front and second-row seats. The second-row captain’s chairs allowed easy access to the third row, which offered reasonable comfort for adults. Cargo space measured 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 57.9 cubic feet with the third row folded and 97.5 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Uconnect 5 technology, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and optional upgrades like a navigation system and Alpine premium sound. The Willys ’41 lacked navigation, relying on Apple CarPlay instead. The touchscreen was intuitive, with large volume and tuning knobs for analog control. The Alpine sound system effectively reduced ambient noise, though rear passengers needed to be cautious of the overhead sound bar.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and access to various connected services. The system was easy to use, though it lacked the ability to display multiple main-menu screens simultaneously. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to commands, and the Platinum trim included a head-up display, digital rear-view mirror, and surround-view camera system. The JBL premium audio system delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe offered limited safety technologies, with standard forward-collision warning and adaptive cruise control. The optional Active Safety Group included features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, but required purchasing the Convenience Group as well. The Wrangler received a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and unimpressive scores from the IIHS, highlighting the need for improved safety technology and occupant protection.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features and driver-assistance technologies. The Proactive Driving Assist system was standard but could be irritating in certain situations. The Grand Highlander earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but fell short of the IIHS Top Safety Pick due to “Acceptable” ratings for headlight performance and small overlap frontal-impact protection.