2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was a nod to the past, with Chevy using styling details to give each trim level its own identity. The exterior was a generic SUV design with a tall roof, chunky wheel arches, and a big grille, which appealed to many buyers. The Traverse's restrained styling emphasized the cosmetic elements of different trims, such as blacked-out trim on the RS model and chrome on the High Country. The interior mirrored the exterior's simplicity, with an optional Dual SkyScape two-panel sunroof as a standout feature. Materials in the higher-level RS model were decent but not quite up to the $50,000 MSRP.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, with its timeless design, continued to impress more than a decade after its debut. It balanced rugged utility and upscale sophistication, making it a versatile SUV. The Grand Cherokee lineup ranged from the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the luxurious Overland and Summit, and the performance-oriented SRT and Trackhawk. The Summit trim, in particular, featured premium leather, genuine wood, and real aluminum, creating a luxurious cabin. However, the interior showed signs of aging, with outdated switchgear and non-flush panel fits.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came with 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. While the V6 didn't feel particularly strong off the line, it provided sufficient power for highway merging and overtaking. The Traverse excelled in highway road manners, offering a quiet cabin and comfortable ride. However, it lacked agility on twisty roads, partly due to its AWD system, which required manual activation. The Traverse had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, average for the segment.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine with 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It could tow up to 6,200 pounds. For those seeking more power, the optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 delivered 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,200 pounds. The V8 also featured cylinder deactivation for improved fuel efficiency. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system and Quadra-Lift air suspension provided excellent off-road capabilities. On the highway, the Grand Cherokee was speedy and responsive, though the V8 consumed more fuel in city driving.

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, offering 23.0 cubic feet with all seats in place, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and 98.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. However, interior storage options were limited.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured flat, firm, and supportive seats with a heated steering wheel. The Signature Leather-Wrapped Interior Package added luxurious leather and interior panels. Both front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat was comfortable but had limited legroom for taller adults. The Grand Cherokee provided 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, with a maximum of 68.3 cubic feet when the second-row seats were folded. Interior storage was adequate but could be improved.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot, and a Bose 10-speaker audio system. The Traverse's infotainment system was user-friendly, with large icons and analog controls for audio and climate. The rearview camera mirror and HD surround-view camera system enhanced visibility and maneuverability. Each row had two USB ports, but wireless phone charging was only standard on higher trims.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system, offering navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system provided a nearly flawless user experience with fast response and pleasing graphics. The Grand Cherokee also included SiriusXM services, voice recognition technology, and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system in the Summit trim. While the Grand Cherokee was "tech lite," it offered essential features and advanced driving assistance systems.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse received top "Good" scores in all crash tests from the IIHS, along with a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention. However, it received "Acceptable" and "Poor" headlight ratings and an "Acceptable" rating for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA awarded the Traverse a five-star overall safety rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests, and five stars in side-impact crash tests. Standard driver-assist tech was limited, with many features only available on higher trims.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee had mixed safety ratings. The NHTSA gave the 4WD model a five-star overall rating, while the 2WD model received four stars due to a three-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS rated the Grand Cherokee "Marginal" for driver safety and "Poor" for front passenger safety in small-overlap frontal-impact collisions. The Grand Cherokee's headlights also rated "Poor" unless upgraded. The Summit trim included numerous safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more.