2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Chevrolet Trax

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax retained design elements from its significant 2017 update, when the compact SUV received a visual overhaul both inside and out, including the addition of features like standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. By 2021, the infotainment system had been upgraded, and the lineup had been streamlined to include just the LS and LT trims following the discontinuation of the Premier trim.

The LS trim boasted 16-inch painted aluminum wheels, remote keyless entry, and manually adjustable front seats with cloth upholstery. Amenities like dual front USB ports and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot were standard, as well as a Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system with a 7-inch touchscreen. Higher LT trims added heated, power-adjustable side mirrors, rear window tint, and roof rails. They also came with LED head- and taillights, remote start, cruise control, and several interior upgrades such as cloth and leatherette seats, a cargo security cover, and a 120-volt AC power outlet. Buyers could further customize the LT trim with appearance packages like the Redline Edition and the Midnight Edition, as well as a Driver Confidence Package and an LT Convenience Package to enhance comfort and safety features.

Conversely, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L made a debut as a seven-passenger model distinct from the traditional Grand Cherokee. It was an extended-length version of the redesigned 2022 Grand Cherokee, featuring a third row and increased cargo space. The design mimicked the aesthetic of the upcoming Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, making it instantly recognizable with the signature Jeep seven-slot grille and well-proportioned body lines.

Jeep offered the Grand Cherokee L in several trims: Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve, with prices ranging from $36,995 to $64,235. A destination charge of $1,695 was applied for transportation from Jeep’s Detroit factory. The Summit trim level, our test vehicle, included luxurious touches like quilted and perforated leather upholstery and real wood trim. However, some interior materials and finishes did not meet the high expectations set by the substantial price tag.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax came with a single engine option, a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder producing 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. Power was delivered through a six-speed automatic transmission to front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive. While this engine performed adequately in city driving, its power deficit became noticeable at highway speeds, struggling with acceleration and making considerable noise.

The ride quality of the Trax was firm, almost unpleasantly so, especially over rough patches. However, its tight turning radius afforded excellent maneuverability in urban environments, making it an ideal pick for city dwellers. Despite this, competitors like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30 offered smoother and more engaging driving experiences.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, on the other hand, provided a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Buyers could choose between rear-wheel drive and three distinct four-wheel-drive systems. This setup enabled a maximum towing capacity of 6,200 pounds with an EPA rating of 21 mpg in combined driving.

For more power, a 5.7-liter V8 was available, exclusively on specific trims (Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve) with 4WD. This V8 generated 357 horsepower, 390 pound-feet of torque, and increased towing capacity to 7,200 pounds, though it brought down fuel economy to 17 mpg combined and added a $3,295 premium to the vehicle price.

The V6 configuration in our test vehicle offered robust acceleration but could be noisy at high revs. The eight-speed automatic transmission was generally well-behaved, but the Auto driving mode sometimes hesitated to downshift for better fuel efficiency. With a combined fuel economy return of just 17.8 mpg during real-world testing, this restraint was justifiable.

Jeep’s Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension provided a comfortable experience, albeit with some softness over irregular surfaces. The Grand Cherokee L’s off-road capabilities were noteworthy, especially with the Summit's 8.3 to 10.9 inches of ground clearance in challenging terrains. Additional Selec-Terrain modes included Snow, Mud/Sand, and Rock, with the Overland model equipped with the Off-Road Group designed for peak off-road performance.

The interior of the 2021 Chevrolet Trax featured decent headroom and legroom in both rows, with supportive front seats but less comfortable rear seating. The Trax offered thoughtful storage solutions like multiple door trays and strategically placed low cupholders, ideal for carrying larger water bottles without encumbering the driver’s space.

Cargo space in the Trax measured 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats. With the rear seats folded, the capacity increased to 48.4 cubic feet. Additionally, the front passenger seat could fold flat to accommodate longer items. However, compared to its subcompact SUV competitors, the lack of options for a power or hands-free liftgate was notable.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L excelled in providing comfort and convenience, particularly in the Summit trim. It included heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats that offered 12-way power adjustment and a heated steering wheel, paired with a four-zone automatic climate control system. Despite these comforts, the small dashboard vents hampered rapid cabin cooling, an issue observed during summer testing.

The Grand Cherokee L offered captain’s chairs in the second row, enhancing comfort and accessibility, while optional bench seating was also available. These chairs provided ample legroom and comfort, further enhanced by manual side window sunshades. The third-row seats were surprisingly accommodating, suitable for average-sized adults, and offered a good view due to the large side windows.

Storage solutions included a rear console between the captain’s chairs that could be accessed from the third row. Cargo capacity behind the third row was 17.2 cubic feet, expandable to 46.9 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, and up to 84.6 cubic feet with the second and third rows down.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax was equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen featuring the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system. This platform, introduced in the 2020 model year, offered user-friendly menus, vivid graphics, and supplementary hard buttons and dials for ease of use. Standard tech included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, and an available WiFi hotspot.

In comparison, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L debuted with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, promising faster response times and an enhanced user experience. Two touchscreen options were available: 8.4-inch and 10.1-inch, with our test vehicle featuring the larger display. Despite a few quirks, familiarity with the system came quickly.

Key highlights of the Uconnect 5 included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system also offered natural voice recognition activated with phrases like “Hey Jeep.” An optional 19-speaker McIntosh audio system offered exceptional sound quality, particularly for bass-heavy tracks.

Additional advanced features included a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel, a digital rearview mirror, thermal-imaging night vision, and a Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring system. The head-up display, visible to drivers with polarized sunglasses, was another notable inclusion.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax received a five-star crash test rating from the NHTSA, though it was not awarded by the IIHS. Standard safety features included various airbags and a backup camera. The LT Convenience Package added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and rear parking sensors, but the Trax lacked many modern driver aids common in rivals, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, an adaptive cruise control system with lane-centering assistance designed for long highway trips. Although effective, the system felt somewhat artificial. Another advanced feature was Intersection Collision Assist, which could prevent accidents at intersections by detecting and reacting to cross-traffic threats.

The Grand Cherokee L also included a comprehensive suite of driver aids, such as Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist. While crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of this review, improvements over the previous model's safety performance were anticipated.