2021 Jeep Cherokee vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was a nod to the past, with its design relying heavily on styling details to distinguish between trim levels. Its exterior was a typical SUV look, featuring a tall roof, chunky wheel arches, and a large grille, which appealed to many buyers. While it presented a cleaner design compared to the Toyota Highlander or Hyundai Palisade, it lacked the personality of the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride. The Traverse's restrained styling highlighted the cosmetic elements of different trims, such as the blacked-out trim on the RS model and chrome accents on the High Country. The interior mirrored the exterior's simplicity, with an optional Dual SkyScape sunroof as a standout feature. Materials in the RS model were decent but not quite justifying the $50,000 price tag.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's styling had grown on many since its debut, despite initial skepticism about its short grille and swept-back headlights. The exterior's appeal varied with trim levels, with the entry-level Latitude appearing more generic, while the 80th Anniversary Edition boasted a more refined look with 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels. Jeep's expertise in roof design was evident with the Cherokee's optional panoramic sunroof. The Cherokee stood out in a crowded SUV market, bearing a resemblance to the larger Grand Cherokee from the front. Its interior was straightforward and businesslike, with trim levels influencing the level of luxury, from the basic Latitude to the more upscale Trailhawk and Latitude Lux with Nappa leather upholstery.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was powered by a single engine option: a 3.6-liter V6 producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Despite the impressive specs, the Traverse didn't feel as powerful as expected, though it delivered sufficient power for highway merging and overtaking. The nine-speed automatic generally performed well, with occasional rough shifts. The Traverse excelled in highway comfort, offering a quiet cabin and smooth ride, though it lacked agility on twisty roads. Its AWD system, which required manual activation, could distribute torque to individual wheels but didn't noticeably enhance handling. The Traverse offered off-road and tow/haul modes, with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine choices, starting with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower in the Latitude and Latitude Plus trims. The 3.2-liter V6 increased output to 271 horsepower, while the top-tier 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder delivered 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Despite these options, none provided exceptional acceleration, with 0-60 mph times around 7.2 to 7.4 seconds. All engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which had improved over time. The Cherokee Trailhawk excelled off-road, thanks to features like Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control. The Cherokee was available in FWD, appealing to budget-conscious buyers and rental fleets.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse offered seating for seven or eight, with above-average headroom and legroom in all three rows. Heated front seats were standard on the RS trim, with ventilated front seats and heated rear seats available on higher trims. The Traverse excelled in cargo space, providing 23.0 cubic feet with all seats up, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 98.2 cubic feet with all rear seats down. A power liftgate was optional on the LT Cloth trim and standard on higher trims, with a gesture-activated liftgate on the Premier and High Country models. Despite its size, the Traverse was limited in interior storage options.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee occupied a space between the smaller Renegade and larger Grand Cherokee, competing with compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. It fell short in cargo space, offering 26 cubic feet with rear seats up and 55 cubic feet with seats folded, less than rivals like the Mazda CX-5 and Ford Escape. The Cherokee provided about 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, competitive within its class. Its interior was simple and functional, with trim levels affecting the level of luxury. The Latitude featured basic materials, while the Trailhawk and Latitude Lux offered more upscale finishes like suede and Nappa leather.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an 8-inch screen, navigation, and a Bose audio system available on higher trims. While competitors offered larger screens, the Traverse's system was user-friendly, with analog controls for audio and climate. The Traverse featured a rearview camera mirror and an optional HD surround-view camera system, enhancing visibility. Each row had two USB ports, but wireless phone charging was only standard on the Premier and High Country models.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee boasted an excellent infotainment system with the Uconnect interface, available with 7-inch or 8.4-inch touchscreens depending on the trim. It supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though not wirelessly, and offered a 4G WiFi hotspot and Amazon Alexa integration. Remote start was available, a feature not offered by all manufacturers. The Uconnect system was consistent across Stellantis vehicles, providing a familiar experience for users.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse received top "Good" scores in all IIHS crash tests and a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention. However, it had "Acceptable" and "Poor" headlight ratings and an "Acceptable" LATCH ease of use rating. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The Traverse offered less standard driver-assist tech than competitors, with features like adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking available only on higher trims.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee did not earn a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS but received "Good" scores in crashworthiness and a G+ rating for LATCH ease of use. It had "Acceptable" and "Marginal" headlight ratings. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall safety rating, with a slight demerit for front driver side crash protection. The Cherokee offered standard safety features like lane departure warning, forward collision warning, and blind spot monitoring, but adaptive cruise control was only available on higher trims.