2021 Cadillac XT5 vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

Cadillacs used to be the most refined vehicles in the General Motors lineup, but that changed over time. Recently, Cadillac has been working hard to reverse that trend, and the results were evident in the XT5. The 2021 Cadillac XT5 carried over the 40 upgrades introduced in the 2020 model year, including a new engine option, revised styling, and enhanced technology. The exterior featured a more snub-nosed design with standard LED lights and 20-inch wheels, giving it a stylish and sophisticated look. Inside, the XT5 offered a more upscale design compared to its GM sibling, the Chevrolet Blazer, with cut and sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fiber accents.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was a new seven-passenger model, distinct from the existing five-passenger Grand Cherokee. It was an extended-length version of the upcoming redesigned 2022 Grand Cherokee, featuring a third-row seat and more cargo volume. The Grand Cherokee L's styling was a strong selling point, resembling a smaller version of the more expensive Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models. It was available in multiple trim levels, with prices ranging from $36,995 to $64,235. The Summit trim, tested with 4WD and various luxury packages, had a window sticker price of $64,770. While some interior materials didn't meet the high price expectations, the quilted and perforated leather, real wood trim, and advanced technology made the Grand Cherokee L a substantial improvement over the old model.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 was available in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trim levels. The Luxury and Premium Luxury trims came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Premium Luxury trim could be upgraded to a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque, which was standard on the Sport trim. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided smooth upshifts but clunkier downshifts, and the Sport drive mode made shifts more jittery. The XT5's throttle response was immediate with the V6, but it could benefit from additional low-end torque. The engine start-stop technology was seamless, except for the heating and air conditioning shutting down during stops. The XT5 achieved about 25 mpg in various driving conditions, better than the EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined for the AWD V6. The base engine got 23 mpg combined with FWD and 21 mpg with AWD.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive or one of three 4WD systems. The V6 had a maximum tow rating of 6,200 pounds and an EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined. An optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, available only with Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve trims and 4WD, generated 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, increasing towing capacity to 7,200 pounds but reducing fuel economy to 17 mpg combined. The test vehicle had the V6 engine and 4WD, offering brisk acceleration but loud when revved. The eight-speed automatic transmission was well-behaved but sometimes resisted downshifts to improve fuel economy. The Grand Cherokee L Summit 4WD averaged 17.8 mpg during testing. The Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension provided better ride control in Sport mode, and the Selec-Terrain off-road modes included Snow, Mud/Sand, and Rock. The Quadra-Drive II 4WD system with an electronic locking differential and low-range transfer case setting was available on the Summit trim. The Quadra-Lift suspension offered up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance and 24 inches of water fording capability. The Grand Cherokee L handled well on various terrains and had a smooth ride on highways.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 had enough room for four adults in two rows, though it technically seated five with a three-seat bench in the second row. The back seat had limited headroom for tall occupants, but legroom was good in both rows. The front seats were not as comfortable as they appeared during extended road trips due to a hard bottom cushion. Heated front seats were standard, and depending on the climate inside the car, either heated or ventilated seats were activated upon starting the SUV. The XT5 offered 30 cubic feet of cargo space, less than the Nissan Murano and Lincoln Nautilus, but benefited from a deep rear cargo area. However, wheel bump-outs minimized the width of the cargo area. The cargo-management system allowed for dividing and securing loose items, and a hands-free programmable height liftgate was available. Small-item storage was limited, with no good place for a smartphone within eyesight and small map pockets.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L provided comfort with heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats with 12-way power adjustment, a heated steering wheel, and a four-zone automatic climate control system with air vents in all three rows. However, the dashboard vents were too small, making it difficult to cool the cabin quickly. Captain's chairs were standard for the second row, with an option for a bench seat. The captain's chairs provided plenty of legroom and comfort, and Summit trim included manual side window sunshades. Child safety seats could be installed without removing the captain's chairs, and the third row was comfortable for all but the tallest adults. The Grand Cherokee L lacked practical storage space for front-seat occupants, but second-row passengers had a storage console. Cargo space behind the third row measured 17.2 cubic feet, with a useful storage bin underneath the load floor. Folding the third row down provided 46.9 cubic feet of cargo space, and the maximum volume behind the front seats was 84.6 cubic feet.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 featured a streamlined infotainment system and center stack, giving it an elegant design. The climate control system was housed inside Piano Black plastic with haptic feedback via hidden-button functionality. The tri-zone automatic climate control's temperature was adjusted by a chrome toggle switch, though it often ran colder than the displayed temperature. Rear seat occupants had their own set of controls. A heated steering wheel and heated outboard rear seats were available, and the rear seats featured 60/40 split-folding capability with sliding and reclining functions. The standard 8-inch infotainment touchscreen housed numerous functionalities, including the automatic start-stop engine on/off switch. A rotary controller on the center console aided infotainment system functionality, though it crowded the screen's aesthetics. The XT5 included one-touch phone pairing, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, AUX port, Bluetooth, 15-watt wireless charging, and USB-A and USB-C ports. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and 14-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system available. A rear camera mirror was also available, useful during nighttime driving but distracting during the day. The fully-digital instrument cluster provided necessary vehicle information, and a head-up display (HUD) was available.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L employed the latest Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering faster response and an improved user experience. Two touchscreen sizes were available: 8.4-inch and 10.1-inch with navigation. The test vehicle had the larger screen, bridging the gap between the center air vents and climate controls. Highlights included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and connected services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Uconnect 5 also featured a natural voice-recognition system with a programmable wake phrase. The optional 19-speaker McIntosh high-end audio system sounded terrific, especially for heavy bass fans, though the logo didn't fit the interior's vibe. Depending on the trim level, the Grand Cherokee L offered a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel, a digital rearview mirror, a thermal-imaging night vision system, and a Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring system. The head-up display remained visible to drivers wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5's safety technology included front automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert. Not all technologies were available in all trim levels. Rear-seat reminder and a federally-mandated rearview camera were standard. The available Night Vision technology enhanced nighttime drivability, allowing large wildlife and hazards to be seen at a distance before headlights illuminated them. The system also worked well in foggy nighttime driving situations. General Motors' Teen Driver software was standard, allowing parents to limit certain vehicle features and view a report card of driving habits.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, a hands-on driving-assistance system combining adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-centering assistance. The system aimed to allow drivers to relax on long highway trips, though the steering assist felt artificial. For the 2022 model year, Active Driving Assist would become a hands-free system. Intersection Collision Assist, standard on Summit models, could detect threats from either side at intersections and apply brakes if necessary. The Grand Cherokee L also offered Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist, steering the Jeep into parking spaces while the driver operated other controls. As of the review, crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the new model was expected to improve upon the old Grand Cherokee's flaws.