2021 Jeep Cherokee vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar presented a balanced design, positioned between the sleek Evoque and the boxy Range Rover. Its low roof and steeply-raked windshield gave it a unique profile, distinct from traditional Range Rovers. The Velar maintained an intimidating presence with its broad front end and short overhangs, enhancing both its performance and off-road capabilities. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sporty touches, including larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, while the interior boasted high-quality leather and metal trim, creating a cockpit-like feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Cherokee's styling evolved over time, becoming more proportionate since its debut. The exterior varied significantly with trim levels, from the basic Latitude to the upscale 80th Anniversary Edition. Jeep's expertise in roof design was evident with the Cherokee's optional panoramic sunroof. The Cherokee stood out in a crowded SUV market, resembling the larger Grand Cherokee from the front, and offered a straightforward, businesslike interior that varied in luxury depending on the trim.

The 2020 Velar introduced a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 in the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This allowed it to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph. Despite its power, it wasn't the fastest in its class. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid feel, but its size made it less agile on tight roads. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 hp, while a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 offered up to 380 hp. Off-road capabilities included the Terrain Response system and All-Terrain Progress Control, though it lacked a low range transfer case.

The 2021 Cherokee offered three engines: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 180 hp, a 3.2-liter V6 with 271 hp, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Acceleration was modest, with the V6 reaching zero to 60 mph in about 7.2 seconds. All models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Trailhawk model excelled off-road with features like Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control. The Cherokee was available in FWD, appealing to budget-conscious buyers.

The Velar was larger than small luxury SUVs but smaller than midsize ones, offering competitive cargo space with 15.7 cubic feet with seats up and 48.9 cubic feet folded. Its avant-garde styling limited interior space, creating a cramped feel. Visibility was challenging despite a 360-degree camera system. Towing capacity was up to 5,511 pounds for higher trims.

The Cherokee, positioned between the Renegade and Grand Cherokee, offered 26 cubic feet of cargo space with seats up and 55 cubic feet folded, falling short in its class. It provided 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, competitive with rivals. The interior varied by trim, from basic to upscale with options like Nappa leather upholstery.

The Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo system with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, WiFi hotspot, and smartphone compatibility. The system had high-quality graphics but suffered from slow responses. Additional tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and capacitive steering-wheel controls.

The Cherokee's Uconnect system was praised for its user-friendly interface, available with 7-inch or 8.4-inch touchscreens. It supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and offered a 4G WiFi hotspot. Remote start was available, enhancing convenience.

The 2020 Velar lacked safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA. Standard features included automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist, with adaptive cruise control available as an option. The Velar's safety tech was less sophisticated compared to competitors.

The 2021 Cherokee received a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and "Good" scores in crashworthiness from IIHS, though headlights were rated lower. Standard safety features included lane departure warning, forward collision warning, and blind spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was optional on higher trims.