2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a significant mid-generation refresh, making its exterior more robust. At the front, the minivan sported new standard LED headlights flanking a refreshed hexagonal grille. This new grille gave the Pacifica a more muscular aesthetic, moving away from the elegance emphasized in the previous three years. Yet, the original design's sophistication still remained apparent, particularly from the sides and rear. A standout feature was the new all-LED taillamp that stretched the width of the vehicle, centered with the Chrysler wing badge.

Chrysler offered six new wheel designs for the 2021 model year and continued offering the S Appearance Package, which provided darkened features and black accents in place of chrome. Inside, the Pacifica diverged from competitors like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Sedona. While the redesigned Sienna emphasized spaciousness with hardy materials and the Sedona took a more utility-vehicle-like approach, the Pacifica maintained a balance. It offered a solidly premium feel, especially in higher trims.

The newly introduced Pacifica Pinnacle elevated the luxury aspect even further, presenting a design that was practical yet exceptionally comfortable. It featured a flat dashboard anchored by a best-in-class 10.1-inch touchscreen, posh quilted leather seats, suede center-row pillows, and soft Berber floor mats. The Pinnacle was undoubtedly one of the most premium minivans available, exuding a solid, high-quality feel with well-weighted doors and superior sound-deadening technology.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced a new seven-passenger model, maintaining the signature Jeep design elements like the seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches. The Grand Cherokee L was essentially an extended version of the upcoming 2022 Grand Cherokee, featuring a third-row seat and increased cargo volume.

Offered in several trim levels from Laredo to Summit Reserve, the Grand Cherokee L presented a rugged yet refined appearance. Our test vehicle, a Summit edition, highlighted the top-tier options such as metallic paint, a four-wheel-drive system, and a premium McIntosh audio system. Though at a higher price point, the Summit's quilted and perforated leather, real wood trim, and a plethora of technologies contributed to a significantly improved interior over the previous Grand Cherokee model.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica came with two powertrain options. The first was a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivering 287 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. The second was a hybrid variant that combined the V6 engine with dual-motor electrical systems and a 16-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 260 horsepower from the engine and 198 horsepower from its electric motors.

Base trims like the Pacifica Touring and Touring L came standard with the V6 engine, with AWD and the hybrid powertrain available as options. Higher trims like the Limited and Pinnacle were offered with either AWD or the hybrid powertrain. Notably, the AWD system was refreshed to activate on demand under various conditions, automatically deactivating to improve fuel efficiency when not needed.

The Pacifica Hybrid could travel more than 30 miles on electric power alone, offering a combined range exceeding 500 miles with an impressive 82 MPGe and 30 mpg combined. In contrast, the traditional V6 variant delivered 19 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined. Adding AWD, these figures adjusted to 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine generating 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Buyers could choose between rear-wheel drive and three different 4WD systems. With a tow rating of 6,200 pounds, this setup achieved an estimated 21 mpg for combined driving.

An optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, available only in the higher trims (Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve), delivered 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, increasing the towing capacity to 7,200 pounds but reducing the fuel economy to 17 mpg combined.

Our test vehicle featured the V6 engine and 4WD, providing brisk acceleration. However, it sounded loud under heavy acceleration. The eight-speed automatic transmission functioned well but appeared to resist downshifts to improve fuel economy. Even with a Sport mode, it held revs higher without significantly enhancing the driving experience. The Selec-Terrain system offered various off-road modes, while the Quadra-Lift air suspension provided an adjustable ground clearance up to 10.9 inches and significant water fording capability.

Overall, the Grand Cherokee L impressed with its off-road prowess, smooth ride, and strong highway performance.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica catered to family needs from the powertrain to the rear. Up front, the spacious seats perched on a frame offering effective storage space, including an under-stack area suitable for various items. Removing traditional armrests in favor of a padded center console lid also fostered a feeling of togetherness.

Standard features included power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, power windows in the first and second rows, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. The Stow 'n Go bucket seats with in-floor storage bins in the middle row and the Stow 'n Go third-row bench seat added practicality, even in AWD models.

The second- and third-row seats offered ample legroom, though taller adults might prefer the middle row. The Pacifica could haul considerable cargo thanks to its spacious back area. Specifically, the Pinnacle trim boasted a best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L prioritized comfort, particularly in its Summit trim. It featured heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats with 12-way power adjustment and a heated steering wheel. A high-end four-zone automatic climate control system, however, featured inadequate dashboard vents making efficient cooling a challenge.

Standard captain’s chairs in the second row could be swapped with a bench, providing flexibility. The captain’s chairs afforded plenty of legroom, while the manual sunshades were practical for keeping out the sun. The third-row seats were comfortable enough for most adults, with easy accessibility for child safety seats.

Front storage, though, was lacking in the Grand Cherokee L, while second-row passengers enjoyed a storage console. The cargo space behind the third-row seat was a modest 17.2 cubic feet, expanding to 46.9 cubic feet with the third row folded and 84.6 cubic feet behind the front seats, offering ample room for family gear.

Chrysler's 2021 Pacifica featured advanced technology tailored to elevate the minivan experience. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system came with a clear, intuitive interface and rapid response times. While it lacked a head-up display, its navigation system was user-friendly, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across trims.

The second row’s entertainment system retained its optional status, giving families access to a variety of games and media ports. Audio options varied from a standard six-speaker system to premium 13- and 20-speaker Harman Kardon setups, with the 20-speaker version providing an exceptional listening experience.

The Pinnacle trim introduced FamCam, an innovative interior camera that offered a rear-facing child seat view, split-display, and zoom functionality, adding a layer of convenience and security.

Jeep’s 2021 Grand Cherokee L also used the Uconnect 5 system, boasting improved response times and user experience. Available in 8.4- or 10.1-inch touchscreens, it included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system also featured voice-recognition technology, working efficiently despite some quirks.

Our test vehicle’s high-end audio system, the 19-speaker McIntosh setup, provided superb sound quality, albeit with a conflicting design aesthetic. Additional tech included a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel, digital rearview mirror, night vision system, and a Fam Cam for rear-seat monitoring. The head-up display remained visible to drivers wearing polarized sunglasses, enhancing usability.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica came equipped with an impressive 97 safety features, increasing to 100 in the Pinnacle trim. Key safety technologies included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high beams, advanced brake assist, third-row lock out, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The Pacifica earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, reinforcing its robust safety credentials.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering. While functional, it felt artificial in its corrections. Additionally, Intersection Collision Assist offered protection against side-impact threats at intersections. Other available features included Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist.

Both these sophisticated systems put the Grand Cherokee L in line with its competitors in terms of advanced driving aids. However, the crash-test ratings for the Grand Cherokee L were not available at the time of this comparison.