2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar presented a balanced approach to styling within the Range Rover family, avoiding the extremes of its siblings. Its low roof and steeply-raked windshield gave it a unique profile, distinct from the traditional upright Range Rover. The Velar maintained an intimidating presence with its broad front end, while its short overhangs improved off-road capabilities. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier elements, such as larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, enhancing its performance-oriented look. Inside, the Velar offered a luxurious experience with high-quality leather and metal trim, creating a cockpit-like feel that was more suited to urban environments than rugged terrains.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was a new addition to the Jeep lineup, offering a seven-passenger configuration with a third-row seat. Its design was reminiscent of the larger Wagoneer models, featuring Jeep's signature seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches. The Grand Cherokee L was available in multiple trim levels, with the Summit trim offering premium features like quilted leather and real wood trim. Despite some interior materials not meeting the high price expectations, the redesigned interior was a significant improvement over previous models, providing a comfortable and technologically advanced environment for passengers.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, particularly in its SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, marked a shift towards performance with the introduction of a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine. This engine delivered 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. Land Rover claimed a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 177 mph. Despite these impressive figures, the Velar was not the fastest in its class, with competitors like the BMW X3 M Competition and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S offering quicker acceleration. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined driving experience, though it felt large on tight roads, limiting its agility in corners. The Velar also retained its off-road capabilities with features like the Terrain Response system and All-Terrain Progress Control, although its single-speed transfer case and road-focused tires limited its off-road prowess.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered rear-wheel drive or a choice of three different four-wheel-drive systems, with a maximum tow rating of 6,200 pounds. An optional 5.7-liter V8 engine was available, delivering 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, increasing towing capacity to 7,200 pounds. The Grand Cherokee L's Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension provided up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance, enhancing its off-road capabilities. The Summit trim's Quadra-Drive II 4WD system included an electronic locking differential and a low-range transfer case, making it suitable for challenging terrains. The Grand Cherokee L offered a smooth ride and capable handling, with a secure on-center steering feel on highways.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a unique position in terms of size, being larger than compact luxury SUVs but smaller than midsize counterparts. However, this did not translate to more interior space, as competitors like the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC offered more legroom and headroom. The Velar's cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The avant-garde styling, while visually appealing, limited headroom and visibility, creating a somewhat claustrophobic interior. The Velar's towing capacity was respectable, with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and V6 models capable of towing up to 5,511 pounds.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L excelled in comfort and practicality, especially in the Summit trim. It featured heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, along with a four-zone automatic climate control system. The second-row captain's chairs provided ample legroom and comfort, with the option for a bench seat. The third row was surprisingly comfortable, with large side windows offering a great view. Cargo space was generous, with 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.9 cubic feet with it folded, and a maximum of 84.6 cubic feet. However, the front-seat storage space was limited, and the dashboard vents were insufficient for quick cooling in hot conditions.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens handling various functions. It included a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The system offered high-quality graphics but suffered from slow response times. Additional tech features included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls, though they were prone to glare.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering faster response times and an improved user experience. Available with 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreens, it included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system featured a natural voice-recognition system, though it occasionally provided unexpected results. The optional 19-speaker McIntosh audio system delivered excellent sound quality, despite its incongruous logo. Additional tech options included a digital instrumentation panel, a digital rearview mirror, and a Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring system.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, as low-volume luxury vehicles were not prioritized for crash testing. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and front and rear parking aids. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available as part of an option package. However, Land Rover's driver-assist tech offerings were less sophisticated than competitors, with only lane-keep assist available.

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 were overly responsive. Intersection Collision Assist was standard on Summit models, detecting threats at intersections and applying brakes if necessary. The Grand Cherokee L offered a comprehensive suite of driver aids, including Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of review, but improvements over the previous model were expected.