Compare the2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In HybridVS 2022 Jeep Wrangler

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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Both the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid and Wrangler 4-door have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Wrangler’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid are reminded to check the back seat when a sensor determines the back seat is occupied. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has standard head airbag curtains for front and rear seats that act as a forgiving barrier between the driver and outboard passenger's upper bodies and the window and pillars. Combined with high-strength steel door beams and lower side airbags this system increases head protection in broadside collisions. The Wrangler doesn't offer side airbag protection for the head and are only available for the front seats.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Wrangler offers an available collision warning system without the automated brake feature that would prevent or reduce the collision if the driver fails to react.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid Limited has standard Parking Collision Avoidance Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Wrangler doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid offers an optional Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Wrangler only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has a standard blind spot warning system, which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Wrangler’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Wrangler Sport S/Sahara/Rubicon offers a rear cross-path warning system and it costs extra.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The Wrangler uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid and the Wrangler have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding and rearview cameras.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid is safer than the Jeep Wrangler:

	Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid	Wrangler
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	16%	31%
Neck Stress	149 lbs.	299 lbs.
Neck Compression	13 lbs.	72 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	50/51 lbs.	926/731 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	27%	31.1%
Neck Stress	99 lbs.	188 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	222/167 lbs.	380/742 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid is safer than the Wrangler 4-door:

	Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid	Wrangler
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Steering Column Movement Rearward	0 cm	2 cm
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	0%/0%
Lower Leg Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 87 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Wrangler is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick.”

Warranty

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Wrangler’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Jeep covers the Wrangler. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Wrangler ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Wrangler’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the 6.4 V8 in the Wrangler.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has a standard 760-amp battery. The Wrangler’s standard 650-amp battery and largest (optional) 700-amp battery aren’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Jeep vehicles. With 14 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Hyundai higher than Jeep.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 53 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is ranked 19th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 13 places higher in reliability than Jeep.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity gets better mileage than the Wrangler 4Xe running on electricity (79 city/72 hwy vs. 52 city/45 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Wrangler 4-door running its gasoline engine:

			MPG
Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid
AWD	Auto	1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	33 city/32 hwy
Wrangler 4-door
AWD	Manual	3.6 DOHC V6	17 city/23 hwy
AWD	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/24 hwy
		3.6 V6 Hybrid	19 city/24 hwy
		6.4 OHV V8	13 city/17 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	20 city/20 hwy
		3.0 turbo V6 Diesel	22 city/29 hwy
		Rubicon 3.0 turbo V6 Diesel	21 city/26 hwy

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 31 miles. The Wrangler 4Xe has to start its internal combustion engine after only 22 miles.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Wrangler Rubicon 392 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid higher (7 out of 10) than the Jeep Wrangler (1 to 7). This means the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid produces up to 47 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Wrangler every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Wrangler.

Tires and Wheels

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Wrangler Sport’s standard 75 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Wrangler Sport.

Suspension and Handling

The Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s independent front suspension is much lighter than the Jeep Wrangler’s solid front axle, which allows the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s wheels to react more quickly and accurately to the road’s surface, improving both ride and handling.

For superior ride and handling, the Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Jeep Wrangler has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

For much better steering response and tighter handling the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has rack and pinion steering, like Formula racecars, instead of the recirculating-ball type steering of the Wrangler.

Chassis

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid is 6.2 inches shorter in height than the Wrangler, making the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Unibody construction lowers the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The Wrangler uses body-on-frame design instead.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has standard flush composite headlights. The Wrangler has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

Passenger Space

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s rear seats recline. The Wrangler’s rear seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid is 7.5 inches lower than the Wrangler 4-door (17.5” vs. 25”). The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s rear step up height is 7.5 inches lower than the Wrangler 4-door’s (18.3” vs. 25.8”).

Cargo Capacity

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume than the Wrangler 4-door with its rear seat up (36.4 vs. 31.7 cubic feet).

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s cargo area is larger than the Wrangler’s in every dimension:

	Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid	Wrangler
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	42.4”/77.4”	37”/65.8”
Max Width	54”	42”
Min Width	43.4”	39.5”
Height	31”	30”

Pressing a button automatically lowers the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Wrangler doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Wrangler 2-door’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The Wrangler’s swing out door blocks loading from the driver’s side.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, just waiting momentarily behind the back bumper can open the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s power cargo door, leaving your hands completely free. The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s power cargo door can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening cargo door.

Servicing Ease

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Wrangler uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

When different drivers share the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid Limited, the memory system makes it convenient. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid Limited’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Wrangler doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Wrangler has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s standard power windows allow the driver or passenger to lower and raise the windows without leaning over or being distracted. Power windows are only available on the Wrangler Sport S/Sahara/Rubicon.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Wrangler Sport S/Sahara/Rubicon’s power windows’ switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s standard power window controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Wrangler’s available power window controls are down in the center of the dashboard, away from the windows and mixed with controls for unrelated features.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s standard power locks allow the driver or passenger to lock or unlock all the doors at a touch without leaning over, or reaching to the back seat. Power locks are only available on the Wrangler Sport S/Sahara/Rubicon.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has a standard locking fuel and charge port door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Wrangler doesn’t offer a locking fuel/charge port door.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid Limited’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Wrangler’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Wrangler’s headlights are rated “Marginal” to “Poor.”

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The Wrangler has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the Sport S/Sahara/Rubicon.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has standard power remote mirrors. The Wrangler Sport doesn’t offer either a remote driver side or passenger side mirror. The driver will have to roll down the windows and reach across the car to adjust the mirrors.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Jeep only offers heated mirrors on the Wrangler Sport S/Sahara/Rubicon.

When the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid Limited is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Wrangler’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Wrangler, and are only available on the Wrangler Sport S/Sahara/Rubicon. The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid Limited also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Wrangler.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid Limited keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Wrangler doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Wrangler and isn’t available on the Wrangler Sport.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Wrangler Sport doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

Both the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid and the Wrangler offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Wrangler doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Wrangler doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid Limited’s Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Wrangler doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Jeep Wrangler isn't recommended.