2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 BMW X5 showcased BMW's renowned craftsmanship, reflecting the brand’s consistent design language. The significant kidney grille and distinctive body shape unmistakably marked it as a BMW. From its full adaptive LED headlights to its matte aluminum trims, the X5 exuded a sophisticated air. The xLine model featured satin aluminum finishes on various exterior elements, including the grilles, underbody protection, roof rails, and side window surrounds, giving it an upscale look.

Conversely, the M Sport model flaunted a sportier appearance with body-color wheel arch trim, bumper trim, rear underbody protection, and side skirts, accompanied by matte aluminum kidney grille bars and high-gloss black roof rails and side window surrounds. This model could sit on 19-, 20-, 21-, or 22-inch wheels, catering to different style preferences. Inside, however, the X5 fell into a “BMW sameness” predicament—sharing many switches, dials, and displays synonymous with other models in the brand’s lineup. Though the design was uniform, it was high quality, featuring abundant leather and soft-touch materials.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee demonstrated timeless styling despite being over a decade old. Its rugged utility met upscale sophistication, creating a balanced design accentuated by big wheels and flared fenders. The Grand Cherokee’s versatility was evident among its trims: from the affordable Laredo and Limited to the luxurious Overland and Summit, and the performance-oriented SRT and Trackhawk.

The Platinum Series Group in the Summit trim gave the Grand Cherokee a premium look with platinum chrome finishes replacing the standard glamorous touches, along with body-color elements like mirror caps and door handles. Inside, the Summit trim was adorned with premium leather, genuine wood, real aluminum, and simulated suede. The Indigo and Ski Gray color scheme added sharp contrast and a luxurious feel, unlike the more uniform and utilitarian interior of the BMW X5.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered multiple powertrain options, all mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i had a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine delivering 335 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque, available as rear-wheel drive (RWD) in the sDrive40i and all-wheel drive (AWD) in the xDrive40i. The X5 M50i sported a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine producing 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. Meanwhile, the X5 M took the performance up a notch with 600 hp, increasing to 617 hp with the Competition Package.

In 2021, BMW introduced the X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid, which paired a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with a 24-kilowatt-hour battery to produce 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, offering up to 30 miles of all-electric range. Despite its performance capabilities, the xDrive45e struggled with steering dynamics, especially at higher speeds—a deviation from BMW’s usual driving experience. Fuel efficiency varied across models, with the X5 M being the least efficient at an EPA-estimated 15 mpg combined, while the xDrive45e managed 50 MPGe using both electricity and gas.

On the other hand, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine generating 295 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, suitable for everyday use and capable of towing up to 6,200 pounds. Jeep also offered an optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 making 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, boasting best-in-class towing capacity of 7,200 pounds.

The Grand Cherokee Summit’s Quadra-Trac II 4WD system, coupled with a Quadra-Lift air suspension, provided versatile driving experiences—lowering for better efficiency on highways and raising for increased ground clearance off-road. The V8’s cylinder deactivation technology aided in fuel efficiency, albeit managing only around 17 mpg combined. The Jeep handled daily driving proficiently but could feel bouncy on uneven surfaces, though its tight turning radius was beneficial both for city maneuvering and off-road adventures.

BMW utilized space effectively within the X5. Front cupholders were conveniently placed at the center console, while the center console itself housed a variety of controls that were not intuitive to use at night. The X5’s seats were comfortable for short journeys but could become uncomfortable over longer distances. Rear seating was ample for children and adults, with an optional third row that was not tested. The climate controls were straightforward, and the split liftgate functionality was practical for loading cargo. The cargo area was quite spacious without the third row, although the xDrive45e offered slightly less space due to its battery pack.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee provided supportive, flat, and firm seats with a heated steering wheel wrapped in thick leather. Eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation were available for the front seats, controlled through the Uconnect infotainment system. While the rear seats were generally comfortable, taller adults may have found the legroom somewhat tight. Optional rear-seat entertainment systems could add a sense of claustrophobia, but large side windows and panoramic sunroof mitigated this feeling. The cargo area offered 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and expanded to 68.3 cubic feet with the seats folded flat—sufficient but less compared to the X5.

The 2021 BMW X5 came equipped with impressive standard features, including a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The vehicle also featured a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, multiple USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, and a panoramic moonroof. Additional luxury options included a head-up display, quad-zone automatic climate control, Wi-Fi hotspot, and high-end audio systems from Harman Kardon and Bowers & Wilkins. However, the wireless Apple CarPlay had connectivity issues that sometimes required the devices to “forget” each other for smooth operation.

Jeep’s 2021 Grand Cherokee housed the Uconnect 4C with Nav—a user-friendly and responsive infotainment system praised for its functionality. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, along with a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The Uconnect system also enabled Amazon Alexa compatibility, allowing voice-activated commands to control the vehicle remotely. Its high-fidelity Harman Kardon audio system and comprehensive subscription-based SiriusXM services, add top-notch entertainment value. However, the Grand Cherokee lagged behind in tech offerings compared to the BMW, focusing more on analog simplicity.

BMW ensured the X5 was equipped with extensive safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, lane departure warning, and a rearview camera. However, the Driving Assistance Professional Package had shortcomings—failing to react swiftly in adaptive cruise control during sudden stops and facing issues in clear visibility conditions, rendering it unreliable in certain scenarios. The 2021 BMW X5 earned mostly Good ratings from IIHS and a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, despite several recalls.

Jeep’s Grand Cherokee presented a mixed bag in safety, achieving a five-star overall rating from NHTSA for 4WD models but performing poorly in IIHS's small-overlap frontal impact tests. The ProTech II Package featured adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assistance, among others. These systems functioned effectively, offering flexibility in their use, although the Grand Cherokee’s safety ratings remained a concern.