2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2020 Toyota Sienna

The 2020 Toyota Sienna, part of its third generation, had been around since the 2011 model year. Despite a 2018 update that incorporated newer infotainment tech and minor changes, the 2020 version still felt dated. The front doors emitted a hollow "thud" when slammed, indicating a lack of attention to fit and finish. The instrument panel, reminiscent of Toyota's 2010 parts bin, was simple and easy to use but contributed to the overall dated feel.

The Sienna offered various trims, from the base L to the Limited Premium. The base L was well-equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, remote keyless entry, three-zone climate control, five USB ports, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay. The LE trim added dual power sliding doors and easy-clean upholstery, while the SE trim, recommended by CarGurus, featured 19-inch alloy wheels, a mesh grille, and a power rear liftgate. Higher trims like the XLE and Limited added luxury features such as leather-trimmed seating, heated front seats, and a JBL premium audio system.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a fourth-generation model, maintained its timeless style and rugged utility. Its design, with big wheels and flared fenders, balanced utility and sophistication, making it a standout in the SUV market. The Grand Cherokee's appeal lay in its versatility, offering mainstream, luxury, and performance variants.

The Grand Cherokee lineup included the affordable Laredo and Limited trims, the upscale Overland and Summit trims, and the performance-oriented SRT and Trackhawk models. For 2021, the Laredo and Limited received minor updates, and new versions like the Laredo X and 80th Anniversary Edition debuted. The Summit trim, tested by CarGurus, featured a 5.7-liter V8 engine, four-wheel drive, and luxurious interior materials like premium leather, genuine wood, and real aluminum. However, the interior showed signs of aging, with old-school switchgear and non-flush panel fits.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 296 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Sienna offered stout acceleration in normal Drive mode, with a Sport mode for livelier throttle and shift response. It also had a manual mode, which was rarely used but could assist with its 3,500-pound towing capacity. The Sienna's front-wheel-drive (FWD) version returned the best fuel economy, with 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined. All-wheel-drive (AWD) versions, available on all trims except the base L, returned 18/24/20 mpg.

The Sienna's low center of gravity and broad base contributed to surprisingly decent handling dynamics. It provided a smooth ride and handled corners well, though its twitchy steering response at higher speeds required constant attention. The Sienna's safety tech, including lane-departure warning and lane-keep assist, helped mitigate this issue.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It could tow up to 6,200 pounds. An optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine, with 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, provided a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,200 pounds. The V8 also featured cylinder deactivation technology for improved fuel efficiency, though it still returned only 17 mpg in combined driving.

The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system, hill-descent control, and Selec-Terrain traction management made it capable off-road. The Quadra-Lift air suspension offered 4.1 inches of variability, improving efficiency on the highway and increasing ground clearance off-road. The Grand Cherokee Summit was speedy and responsive, though the V8's fuel consumption and bouncy ride on uneven surfaces were drawbacks. Its tight turning radius and effective brakes were useful in various driving situations.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna excelled in cargo space, offering 150 cubic feet, more than competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey. However, accessing this space required removing the second-row seats, which was easier with captain's chairs than a bench seat. The third row folded seamlessly into the floor, but getting into the backseat could be challenging. Toyota also offered mobility access features, like the Auto Access Seat, making the Sienna a practical choice for families with specific needs.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured a luxurious interior with quilted and perforated leather seats, a heated steering wheel, and leather-wrapped panels. Both front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, though the controls were embedded in the infotainment system, causing some distraction. The rear seat was comfortable but had somewhat snug legroom for taller adults. The optional rear-seat entertainment system added to a sense of claustrophobia, but large windows and a panoramic sunroof helped mitigate this.

The Grand Cherokee provided 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, with additional storage bins around the spare tire. Folding the second-row seats was easy, and maximum cargo space measured 68.3 cubic feet, which was modest for a midsize SUV.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna's base L trim came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system supporting Amazon Alexa and Apple CarPlay. Other standard tech features included Bluetooth connectivity, five USB ports, and a WiFi hotspot with a 6-month trial. Higher trims added features like navigation and a JBL 10-speaker premium audio system. The Limited trim also included Driver Easy Speak, an intercom system that broadcasted the driver's voice to the rear speakers.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system, which offered a nearly flawless user experience, fast response, and pleasing graphics. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a Jeep Skill for Amazon Alexa. SiriusXM provided satellite radio, Traffic Plus, and Travel Link services, with free trials for varying durations. The Grand Cherokee's voice recognition technology worked well, and the Summit trim's 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system sounded terrific. However, the Grand Cherokee was otherwise "tech lite," offering essential features without much additional digital complexity.

The 2020 Toyota Sienna came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P) suite, including lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, dynamic cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring was optional on lower trims and standard on higher trims like the XLE and Limited. The Sienna earned five stars in NHTSA crash testing and top ratings from the IIHS in various categories.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee had mixed safety ratings. While the 4WD version received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, the 2WD version's rating dropped to four stars due to a three-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS gave the Grand Cherokee "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings in small-overlap frontal-impact collisions. The Summit trim included numerous safety features like adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Grand Cherokee also offered a backup camera, parking sensors, and ParkSense parking assistance.