2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2020 Land Rover Defender

The 2020 Land Rover Defender brought back the boxy, rugged design that many enthusiasts had missed since the 2016 LR4. Its squared-off edges, rising roofline, and roundish headlights were reminiscent of classic Land Rovers. The Defender's design was both familiar and functional, featuring short overhangs and skid plates for off-road adventures. Despite some modern touches like plastic step plates and a three-piece ladder, the Defender retained its utilitarian charm. The interior was basic and industrial, with cloth seats and exposed screws, emphasizing durability over luxury. While it lacked the opulence of more expensive SUVs, the Defender's design inspired a sense of adventure.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was a new addition to the Grand Cherokee lineup, offering a seven-passenger configuration. Its design was sleek and modern, with a signature seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches that made it instantly recognizable as a Jeep. The Grand Cherokee L's styling was well-proportioned and attractive across all trim levels. Inside, the Summit trim featured quilted and perforated leather seats, real wood trim, and a host of advanced technology. While some interior materials fell short of expectations for its price, the overall design represented a significant improvement over the previous model.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender offered a choice between two engines. The standard 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four produced 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, while the optional 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six delivered 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. The latter was a mild hybrid, with one of the turbochargers powered by an electric motor to eliminate turbo lag. The Defender's eight-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts, and its air suspension ensured a comfortable ride on various terrains. Off-road, the Defender excelled with its Terrain Response 2 system and adjustable-height suspension, allowing it to tackle challenging obstacles with ease.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. An optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, available on higher trims, offered 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. The V6 engine provided brisk acceleration, though it could be loud when revved. The eight-speed automatic transmission was generally well-behaved but sometimes resisted downshifts in Auto mode. The Grand Cherokee L's Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension and various off-road modes, including Snow, Mud/Sand, and Rock, enhanced its off-road capabilities. The V8 engine increased towing capacity to 7,200 pounds, making it a versatile choice for those needing extra power.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender prioritized functionality and durability. Its interior featured rubber floors and water-resistant materials, making it easy to clean after off-road adventures. The Defender 90, a two-door model arriving in 2021, offered an optional jump seat, allowing it to seat up to six people. The four-door Defender 110 had an optional third row, accommodating up to seven passengers. Cargo space varied depending on the configuration, with the four-door model offering up to 79 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Defender's towing capacity was an impressive 8,200 pounds, and its rugged design allowed it to withstand harsh conditions.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L focused on comfort and convenience. The Summit trim featured heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats with 12-way power adjustment, along with a heated steering wheel. The four-zone automatic climate control system provided air vents in all three rows, though the dashboard vents were small and struggled to cool the cabin quickly. The second-row captain's chairs offered ample legroom and comfort, and the third row was surprisingly spacious for adults. Cargo space behind the third row measured 17.2 cubic feet, expanding to 84.6 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Grand Cherokee L's practical storage solutions and family-friendly features made it a versatile choice for daily use.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system, a significant improvement over previous Jaguar Land Rover systems. It included two SIM cards for streaming data and over-the-air software updates. The 10-inch touchscreen interface was user-friendly, though some icons were small and difficult to read. The Defender's off-road capabilities were enhanced by front cameras that displayed the ground beneath the hood and a rearview mirror that doubled as a screen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, LED headlights, and a 360-degree camera system. Higher trims offered additional luxuries like a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, and a 14-speaker Meridian stereo.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L employed the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering faster response times and an improved user experience. Available with either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen, the system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The test vehicle featured a 19-speaker McIntosh audio system, which delivered excellent sound quality. Additional technology included a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel, a digital rearview mirror, a thermal-imaging night vision system, and a Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring system. The Grand Cherokee L's head-up display remained visible to drivers wearing polarized sunglasses, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by U.S. crash testing agencies and was unlikely to be rated due to its price and limited volume. It came with six airbags, including forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, driver attention monitor, and a 360-degree camera system. Optional safety features included rear cross-traffic alerts and alerts for passing cars or cyclists when exiting the vehicle.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, a hands-on driving-assistance system combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. While effective, the steering assist felt artificial, and lane changes could be abrupt. The system was expected to become hands-free in the 2022 model year. Intersection Collision Assist, standard on Summit models, detected threats from either side at intersections and could apply the brakes if necessary. The Grand Cherokee L also offered Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist, steering the vehicle into parking spaces. As of this review, crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the new model was expected to improve upon the old Grand Cherokee's safety performance.