2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar presented a balanced design, sitting between the sleek Evoque and the boxy Range Rover. 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, short overhangs, and impressive ground clearance, making it suitable for off-roading. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier touches, including larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, enhancing its aggressive 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.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee maintained a timeless design, combining rugged utility with upscale sophistication. Its flared fenders and big wheels contributed to its balanced appearance, appealing to a wide range of SUV enthusiasts. The Grand Cherokee lineup offered various trims, from the affordable Laredo to the luxurious Summit and performance-oriented SRT and Trackhawk models. The Summit trim, in particular, featured premium leather, genuine wood, and aluminum accents, creating a luxurious cabin. However, the interior showed signs of aging, with outdated switchgear and non-flush panel fits, indicating a need for a redesign.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar introduced a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine in the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph. Despite its power, the Velar's performance was not as dominant as some competitors. The Dynamic Edition featured enhanced brakes, retuned four-wheel drive, and an active exhaust system, but it didn't fully transform the Velar into a performance vehicle. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined driving experience, though it felt large on tight roads.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, with an optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 offering 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. The V8, equipped with cylinder deactivation technology, provided a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,200 pounds. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system, along with its Quadra-Lift air suspension, allowed for impressive off-road capabilities. The Summit trim offered a smooth and responsive driving experience, though the V8's fuel economy was a drawback. The Grand Cherokee's tight turning radius and effective brakes added to its practicality in various driving situations.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a unique size category, larger than small luxury SUVs but smaller than midsize counterparts. Its avant-garde styling, while visually appealing, limited interior space, creating a cramped feeling. The Velar offered 15.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and V6 models had a towing capacity of 5,511 pounds, while the base model could tow 5,291 pounds.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit provided a comfortable interior with supportive seats and a heated steering wheel. The Signature Leather-Wrapped Interior Package added a touch of luxury, though it wasn't necessary. The Grand Cherokee's rear seat offered adequate comfort, though legroom was somewhat limited. The optional rear-seat entertainment system added to the sense of claustrophobia. The Grand Cherokee offered 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expandable to 68.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. Practical features like grocery bag hooks and a power liftgate added to its functionality.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The system's high-quality graphics and menu layout were praised, though its slow response times were a drawback. Additional tech features included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee's Uconnect 4C with Nav system offered a nearly flawless user experience, with fast response times and pleasing graphics. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system's voice recognition technology worked well, allowing for control of various features. The Grand Cherokee Summit featured a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, providing excellent sound quality. While the Grand Cherokee was "tech lite," it offered essential features and advanced driving assistance systems.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, as low-volume luxury vehicles were a low priority 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. Land Rover's offerings were less sophisticated compared to competitors, with only lane-keep assist available.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models, though its performance in IIHS testing was less impressive. The Grand Cherokee earned "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings in small-overlap frontal-impact collisions. The Summit trim included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Grand Cherokee also offered parking assistance systems, though its headlights received a "Poor" rating unless upgraded.