2021 Buick Envision vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2021 Buick Envision underwent a significant redesign, following two consecutive years of facelifts in 2019 and 2020. This two-row compact crossover, available in China and North America, positioned itself between the smaller Encore GX and the larger Enclave in Buick’s lineup. The 2021 model was lower and wider than its predecessor, boasting a more planted appearance with premium crossover styling. The Envision’s sculpted look was more pronounced than its cousin, the Cadillac XT4, but not as sleek as the Acura RDX. The three trim levels—Preferred, Essence, and Avenir—offered distinct looks, with the Avenir trim making its debut in the Envision lineup. The Avenir grade featured upgraded exterior elements, including a Black Ice Chrome mesh grille and 20-inch Avenir-specific pearl nickel wheels, while the interior showcased leather-appointed seating with diamond perforated leather inserts and a head-up display (HUD). The Envision’s LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights, along with a welcome lighting animation, added to its premium feel. Inside, the driver-centric design of the center stack angled towards the driver, creating a tighter cabin feel, though the abundance of piano black plastic on the dashboard and center console attracted dust.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite being in its fourth generation for over a decade, maintained a timeless and appealing design. Its rugged utility and upscale sophistication were evident, with big wheels pushed to the corners under flared fenders. The Grand Cherokee’s design contributed to its continued success, offering a blend of mainstream, luxury, and performance SUV characteristics. The lineup ranged from the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the upscale Overland and Summit trims, with performance models like the SRT and Trackhawk, and the off-road-capable Trailhawk. For 2021, the Grand Cherokee introduced minor updates to the Laredo and Limited trims and debuted the Laredo X and 80th Anniversary Edition versions. The Summit trim, tested with a 5.7-liter V8 engine and four-wheel drive (4WD), featured the Platinum Series Group, which toned down the standard glam with body-color mirror caps and platinum chrome finishes. Inside, the Summit’s interior was dressed in premium leather, genuine wood, real aluminum, and simulated suede, with a striking Indigo and Ski Gray color scheme. However, the interior showed signs of aging, with old-school switchgear and non-flush panel fits indicating a need for a redesign.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, replacing the previous 2.5-liter base engine. This engine produced 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, a downgrade from the 252 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque in the 2020 model. Despite shedding 200 to 300 pounds, the weight savings did not fully compensate for the power loss. The Envision offered front-wheel drive (FWD) as standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available. The FWD model achieved an EPA-estimated 24 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg combined, while the AWD version managed 22 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined. The Envision’s drivability was comfortable but not particularly engaging, with noticeable engine and road noise. The typical GM drive mode selector included a Sport mode, which altered the revs but did not significantly enhance the driving experience.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine provided ample power for daily driving and could tow up to 6,200 pounds. For those seeking more power, the optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine produced 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,200 pounds. The V8 engine featured cylinder deactivation technology for improved fuel efficiency, though it achieved only 17 mpg in combined driving. The Grand Cherokee’s Quadra-Trac II 4WD system included a two-speed transfer case, hill-descent control, and Selec-Terrain traction management with various settings. The Quadra-Lift air suspension offered 4.1 inches of variability, enhancing both on-road efficiency and off-road capability. The Grand Cherokee Summit was responsive and relatively quiet, though the V8 engine consumed more fuel in city driving. The SUV’s tight turning radius and effective brakes added to its practicality, though the ride could be bouncy on uneven surfaces.

The 2021 Buick Envision’s redesign did not enhance its cabin’s functionality. Despite a longer wheelbase, the Envision had less headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in the front row, and rear-seat passengers lost two inches of legroom and nearly six inches of hip room. The cargo capacity also decreased, with 25.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 53.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The driver-centric cockpit limited the front passenger’s access to controls, and the abundance of piano black plastic attracted dust. However, the Envision offered standard heated front seats, eight-way power-adjustable seats, and a heated steering wheel. Forward visibility was limited, requiring reliance on parking sensors.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured a luxurious interior with quilted and perforated leather seats, leather-wrapped panels, and a heated steering wheel. 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 limited legroom for taller adults, and the optional rear-seat entertainment system added to a sense of claustrophobia. The Grand Cherokee provided 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, with a maximum of 68.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The cargo area included a recessed bin and under-floor storage around the spare tire. The power liftgate closing button was conveniently located for shorter drivers.

The 2021 Buick Envision’s technology was not particularly advanced, but it featured a standard 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, which was responsive and displayed necessary functionalities clearly. The driver could easily scroll through channels using the available 8.0-inch driver information display. Standard features included USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera, keyless entry, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wireless Android Auto. Available features included navigation, a surround-view camera, a head-up display, and wireless device charging.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system remained impressive, offering 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, Travel Link services, and Guardian services. The voice recognition technology worked well, and the Summit trim featured a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The Grand Cherokee’s technology was essential but effective, with sophisticated 4WD systems and advanced driving assistance systems.

The 2021 Buick Envision had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included a following distance indicator, forward-collision alert, front and rear park assist, lane change alert with blind-spot alert, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist, rear-seat alert, automatic emergency braking, and teen-driver monitoring. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic park assist were available on Avenir models.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models, but a four-star rating for 2WD models due to a three-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS rated the Grand Cherokee "Marginal" for driver-side small-overlap frontal impacts and "Poor" for passenger-side impacts. The Summit trim included 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 featured a backup camera, parking sensors, and ParkSense parking assistance.