2021 BMW X7 vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2021 BMW X7 was a standout in the bustling streets of metropolitan Los Angeles, often seen alongside its competitors. When driving the X7, it was natural to draw comparisons with other luxury SUVs. The BMW X7 boasted superior interior quality compared to the Cadillac Escalade, more prestige than the Infiniti QX80 or Lincoln Navigator, and a higher level of technological sophistication than the Lexus LX 570. Its visual presence was significant, even when compared to the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. Despite being one of the better vehicles in its class, the X7's appeal was subjective, as personal preference played a significant role in choosing a vehicle in this segment.

The 2021 BMW X7 was available in three versions: the X7 xDrive40i, starting at an MSRP of $74,900; the X7 M50i, beginning at $99,800; and the luxurious Alpina BX7, priced at $141,300. The X7 xDrive40i test vehicle was equipped with 22-inch aluminum wheels, premium extended leather, a leather-wrapped dashboard, an Alcantara suede headliner, glass interior controls, and a trailer hitch, supporting a maximum tow rating of 7,500 pounds. With all five available option packages, the total cost of the test vehicle was $91,745, including the $995 destination charge. The X7's styling was appealing, with traditional BMW cues and a glamorous presence, making it a top contender in the luxury SUV segment.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a fourth-generation model, maintained its timeless style more than a decade after its debut. It was a perfect blend of rugged utility and upscale sophistication, with its big wheels and flared fenders contributing to its balanced and iconic SUV appearance. The Grand Cherokee's design was a significant factor in its continued success, as it defied easy categorization, being a mainstream, luxury, and performance SUV all at once. The lineup ranged from the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the upscale Overland and Summit, with the Trailhawk positioned for off-roading adventures.

The test vehicle, a Grand Cherokee Summit, was equipped with a 5.7-liter V8 engine, four-wheel drive, extra-cost paint, the Platinum Series Group, and the Signature Leather-Wrapped Interior Package, totaling an MSRP of $68,185, including the $1,495 destination charge. The Platinum Series Group enhanced the Summit's appearance with body-color mirror caps, door handles, side sills, and lower bumpers, giving it a more premium look. Inside, the Summit's cabin featured premium leather, genuine wood, real aluminum, and simulated suede for the headliner, creating a luxurious feel. However, the interior showed signs of aging, with outdated switchgear and non-flush panel fits, indicating a need for a redesign.

The 2021 BMW X7 xDrive40i was powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 335 horsepower from 5,500 rpm to 6,500 rpm and 331 lb-ft of torque between 1,500 rpm and 5,200 rpm. This engine was paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and BMW's xDrive rear-biased all-wheel-drive system. The vehicle also featured BMW's eBoost mild-hybrid technology, which included a 48-volt starter/generator and a second battery. This system aimed to improve fuel economy by reducing the engine's load, activating the automatic engine start/stop system sooner, and allowing for coasting without the engine running in specific scenarios. Despite these enhancements, the 2021 X7 xDrive40i's EPA ratings were slightly lower than the 2020 version, with fuel economy dropping to 19 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined. The X7 xDrive40i could accelerate to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, and the Dynamic Handling Package, which included M Sport brakes and Integral Active Steering, contributed to its smooth and stable driving experience.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a towing capacity of up to 6,200 pounds. For those seeking more power, the Grand Cherokee offered a 5.7-liter V8 engine with 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, providing a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,200 pounds. The V8 engine featured cylinder deactivation "Fuel Saver" technology, allowing it to run on fewer cylinders under low-load conditions. The Grand Cherokee Summit came with a standard Quadra-Lift air suspension, offering 4.1 inches of variability, and a Quadra-Trac II system with a two-speed transfer case, hill-descent control, and Selec-Terrain traction management. The Grand Cherokee was speedy, responsive, and fairly quiet during daily driving, with a tight turning radius and effective brakes. However, the V8 engine consumed a significant amount of fuel in city driving, and the vehicle's off-roading capabilities could have been enhanced with surround-view and forward-view camera systems.

The 2021 BMW X7 xDrive40i test vehicle was a showcase of luxury and comfort, featuring front multi-contour seats with heating, ventilation, and massaging functions, as well as a heated steering wheel and armrests. The second-row captain's chairs were also exceptionally comfortable, with a five-zone climate control system that allowed for individual temperature settings for third-row occupants. The X7's interior was adorned with lavish extended premium Merino leather upholstery, providing a decadent experience for passengers. Despite the need for some seat adjustments to access the third row, adults could fit comfortably in the back, making it a pleasant surprise. The X7 offered 48.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row folded down and a maximum of 90.4 cubic feet with the second row folded, although these figures fell short of class leaders.

In comparison, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured a flat, firm, and supportive seat with a heated steering wheel. The front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, with controls embedded in the Uconnect infotainment system. The rear seat was comfortable but somewhat snug, with large side windows and a dual-pane panoramic glass sunroof providing a sense of openness. The Grand Cherokee's interior storage was adequate, but the rear-seat entertainment system took up much of the center console bin space. The vehicle offered 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, with a recessed bin for carrying items like milk jugs or wine bottles. Maximum cargo space measured 68.3 cubic feet, which was relatively small for a midsize SUV.

The 2021 BMW X7 was equipped with the advanced Live Cockpit Professional, which included the iDrive 7.0 system. This system featured a touchscreen interface, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and enhanced SiriusXM 360L with a free one-year subscription. The Connected Package Pro provided accurate traffic data, real-time parking information, and BMW Remote Services with three free months of WiFi hotspot access. The iDrive 7.0 system was user-friendly, especially for those familiar with modern tablets and smartphones, and included a natural voice-recognition system that responded quickly and accurately. The test vehicle also featured a head-up display, although it was difficult to see when wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit was equipped with the Uconnect 4C with Nav setup, which offered a nearly flawless user experience with fast response to inputs and pleasing touchscreen graphics. The system included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, access to a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a Jeep Skill for Amazon Alexa. SiriusXM was the services provider, offering six free months of satellite radio and five years of free Traffic Plus and Travel Link services. The Summit test vehicle also featured a 19-speaker Harman Kardon high-end audio system, which provided excellent sound quality. Despite its age, the Grand Cherokee's Uconnect 4C with Nav setup remained an impressive piece of technology, offering a user-friendly experience with separate primary stereo controls and voice command capabilities for basic climate control functions.

The 2021 BMW X7 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety technologies, with additional features available in the optional Driving Assistance Professional Package and the Parking Assistance Package. The Driving Assistance Professional Package, priced at $1,700, included Active Driving Assistant Pro, which offered partially automated steering input on highways and in traffic. The X7's advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) were praised for their accuracy, smoothness, and trustworthiness, reducing stress in various driving conditions. However, the lane-maintenance system occasionally struggled with certain situations, such as merging traffic lanes, and the automated lane-changing capability was noted to be more abrupt than expected.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee had mixed safety ratings. While the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provided star ratings on the window sticker, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Grand Cherokee a "Marginal" safety rating for small-overlap, frontal-impact collisions. Despite this, the Summit test vehicle was equipped with the standard ProTech II Package, which included adaptive cruise control with full stop-and-go, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assistance. The Grand Cherokee also featured a backup camera with guidance lines, parking sensors, and a ParkSense parking assistance system for parallel and perpendicular spaces.