2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica underwent a significant exterior refresh, featuring new standard LED headlights and a hexagonal grille that contributed to a more muscular aesthetic. This design shift moved away from the elegance of previous models, yet retained a touch of sophistication as the eye traveled from the front to the sides and rear. The rear showcased an all-LED taillamp spanning the width of the vehicle, with the Chrysler wing badge at its center. The Pacifica offered six new wheel designs and the S Appearance Package, which included darkened features and black accents. Inside, the Pacifica distinguished itself from competitors like the Toyota Sienna and Kia Sedona by balancing practicality with premium touches, especially in the Pinnacle trim. This top-tier model featured a flat dashboard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen, Piano Black plastic trim, wood accents, and quilted leather seats, creating a luxurious feel. The Pacifica also emphasized sound deadening technology, ensuring a quiet ride.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee maintained its timeless design, combining rugged utility with upscale sophistication. Its big wheels, flared fenders, and balanced proportions contributed to its enduring appeal. The Grand Cherokee lineup offered a range of trims, from the affordable Laredo to the luxurious Summit and performance-oriented SRT and Trackhawk models. The Summit trim, tested with a 5.7-liter V8 engine and four-wheel drive, featured the Platinum Series Group, which enhanced its premium look with body-color accents and platinum chrome finishes. Inside, the Summit's cabin boasted premium leather, genuine wood, and real aluminum, creating a luxurious atmosphere. However, the interior showed signs of aging, with outdated switchgear and non-flush panel fits. Despite this, the Grand Cherokee remained a versatile SUV, capable of off-road adventures and daily driving.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica offered two powertrain options: a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 287 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and a hybrid powertrain combining a V6 engine with dual-motor electrically variable transmission, delivering 260 horsepower from the engine and 198 horsepower from its motors. The base Touring and Touring L trims came standard with the V6 engine, while the Limited and Pinnacle trims offered all-wheel drive (AWD) or the hybrid powertrain. The AWD system, reintroduced after 16 years, activated on-demand based on driving conditions, enhancing traction and efficiency. The Pacifica Hybrid boasted an all-electric range of over 30 miles and a total range exceeding 500 miles, achieving 82 MPGe and 30 mpg combined. The traditional V6 Pacifica delivered 19 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined, with AWD models slightly reducing these figures.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, generating 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a towing capacity of up to 6,200 pounds. For those seeking more power, the optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine produced 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,200 pounds. The V8 featured cylinder deactivation technology for improved efficiency, though it achieved only 17 mpg in combined driving. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system included a two-speed transfer case, hill-descent control, and Selec-Terrain traction management, enhancing off-road capabilities. The Summit trim featured a Quadra-Lift air suspension, providing 4.1 inches of variability for improved ground clearance. Despite its off-road prowess, the Grand Cherokee remained responsive and relatively quiet during daily driving, though the V8's fuel consumption and occasional bounciness were notable drawbacks.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was designed with family life in mind, offering spacious seating and practical storage solutions. The front seats provided ample space and a sense of togetherness, with a padded center console lid replacing traditional armrests. Storage options included an under-stack area for personal items and a sliding under-console storage bin for second-row passengers. Standard features included power-sliding rear doors, three-zone climate control, and Stow 'n Go seating for flexible cargo space. The Pacifica Pinnacle offered best-in-class total storage of 227.6 liters, making it ideal for family travel.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured a luxurious interior with quilted and perforated leather seats, a heated steering wheel, and a Signature Leather-Wrapped Interior Package. Both front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, though the controls were integrated into the infotainment system, potentially causing distraction. The rear seat provided comfort but limited legroom for taller adults, with optional rear-seat entertainment adding to a sense of claustrophobia. Interior storage was adequate, though the rear-seat entertainment system occupied much of the center console bin. The Grand Cherokee offered 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 flat.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica featured advanced technology, including hands-free sliding doors and the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. This system offered a modern, customizable interface with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The second-row in-seat entertainment system remained an option, with additional games available. Audio options included a six-speaker system, a 13-speaker Alpine system, and 19- and 20-speaker Harman Kardon systems. The Pinnacle model introduced FamCam, an interior monitoring camera with unique features like a rear-facing child seat view and zoom-to-seat functionality.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee's Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system provided a nearly flawless user experience, with navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system's voice recognition technology worked well, allowing control of various features through voice commands. The Summit trim featured a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, delivering excellent sound quality. While the Grand Cherokee offered essential technology, it lacked some advanced features found in newer models, making it appealing to those who preferred a simpler, more analog experience.

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica came standard with 97 safety features, increasing to 100 in the Pinnacle trim. Key safety technologies included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The Pacifica received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS had not yet rated the model.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee's safety ratings were a concern, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models, but a four-star rating for 2WD models 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 Summit trim included numerous safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance, which worked well to prevent accidents.