2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport had been eagerly anticipated, and it finally made its debut as a smaller sibling to the upcoming rugged Bronco. While the larger Bronco harkened back to its 1966-1996 roots, the Bronco Sport was a unibody crossover designed for everyday driving with a flair for weekend adventures. Its modern retro aesthetic, reminiscent of a Land Rover, featured short front and rear overhangs, tall fender wells, and a tucked-in body for trail driving. The front grille and tailgate boldly displayed "BRONCO" with a smaller "SPORT" postscript, and the Ford blue oval appeared modestly on the tailgate. Wheel options ranged from 17-inch Sparkle Silver to 18-inch machined-face aluminum Ebony Black-painted wheels, with various tire sizes to match. The interior was rugged yet tasteful, with an uncluttered design, convenient storage cubbies, and an 8-inch infotainment screen. Interior trim levels progressed from cloth to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats, and the First Edition featured Navy Pier Leather power front seats.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, a new seven-passenger model, was an extended-length version of the upcoming redesigned 2022 Grand Cherokee. It featured a third-row seat and more cargo volume. The Grand Cherokee L's styling was instantly recognizable as a Jeep, with its signature seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and familiar lighting arrangements. Trim levels included Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve, with prices ranging from $36,995 to $64,235. The Summit trim test vehicle featured four-wheel drive, metallic paint, the Advanced Pro Tech Group, the Luxury Tech Group, and a 19-speaker McIntosh premium audio system, totaling $64,770. While some interior materials fell short of expectations at this price point, the Summit's quilted and perforated leather, real wood trim, and advanced technology represented a significant improvement over the old model.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices tied to trim levels. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims featured a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition trims came with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 245 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque. All models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD), along with a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road with its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance. On-road, it was a capable commuter and family hauler, though the 1.5-liter engine could feel strained under pressure.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive (RWD) or three different 4WD systems. The V6 had a maximum tow rating of 6,200 pounds and an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined. An optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, available only with Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve trims, generated 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, increasing towing capacity to 7,200 pounds but reducing fuel economy to 17 mpg combined. The test vehicle's V6 engine offered brisk acceleration but was loud when revved, and the eight-speed automatic sometimes resisted downshifts to improve fuel economy. The Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension provided up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance and 24 inches of water fording capability. The Grand Cherokee L's stiffer structure resulted in a smooth ride and capable handling, with a secure on-center steering feel and a relatively quiet cabin.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with features like cargo space designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes and a catalog of over 100 factory and aftermarket accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could hold up to 150 pounds (100 with a moonroof), and the 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds (2,000 pounds for the 1.5-liter). The cargo hold featured a flip-up rear glass, an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table, a 400-watt inverter, and liftgate floodlamps. The front cabin had ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might struggle with visibility due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered comfort with Summit trim, featuring heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats with 12-way power adjustment, a heated steering wheel, and a four-zone automatic climate control system. However, the dashboard vents were too small, making it difficult to cool the cabin quickly. The second-row captain's chairs provided plenty of legroom and comfort, with manual side window sunshades. The third row was comfortable for all but the tallest adults, with large side windows for a great view. The Grand Cherokee L lacked practical storage space for front-seat occupants, but second-row passengers had a storage console. Cargo space behind the third-row seat measured 17.2 cubic feet, expanding to 46.9 cubic feet with the third row folded and 84.6 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Ford+Alexa, and SiriusXM. FordConnect with 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on higher trims. The terrain management system offered up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, and trail control technology provided cruise-control-like assistance for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was included on all trims except the Base model, and higher trims featured heated and leather-wrapped steering wheels and a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L employed the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering faster response and an improved user experience. Two touchscreen sizes were available: 8.4-inch and 10.1-inch with navigation. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and connected services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The test vehicle had a 19-speaker McIntosh high-end audio system, a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel, a digital rearview mirror, a thermal-imaging night vision system, and a Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring system. The head-up display remained visible to drivers wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, auto high-beam headlamps, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, a voice-activated touchscreen navigation system, and road-sign recognition. Trailer sway control was included in the tow package. AWD and the terrain management system with G.O.A.T. modes enhanced safety. Crash-test ratings were not yet available from IIHS or NHTSA.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, a hands-on driving-assistance system combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. Intersection Collision Assist, standard on Summit models, detected threats at intersections and applied brakes if necessary. The Grand Cherokee L also offered Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the new model was expected to improve upon the old Grand Cherokee's performance.