2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Ford Edge

The 2021 Ford Edge and the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee were two distinctive vehicles that drew attention for different reasons. The Ford Edge's design had remained largely unchanged since its 2019 refresh, aligning its exterior with Ford's contemporary design language. This design update had effectively modernized the Edge, making it a cleaner alternative to competitors like the Chevy Blazer or Hyundai Santa Fe. The Edge's Titanium models featured additional chrome accents to signify their premium status. In contrast, the ST trim boasted a blacked-out grille, 20-inch wheels, and a sporty body kit, aiming to give it a more aggressive and performance-oriented look. Inside, however, the Edge showed its age with an interior design that had been awkwardly adapted over the years to incorporate new features such as a larger touchscreen. The Titanium models came with leather upholstery, while the ST models offered sporty front seats with extra bolstering and contrast stitching on a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite retaining its fourth-generation styling for over a decade, still managed to impress. Its design combined rugged utility with upscale sophistication, featuring big wheels and purposefully flared fenders. The Grand Cherokee's design balance was lauded as a work of automotive art that perfectly encapsulated what an SUV should look like. The Grand Cherokee lineup spanned from affordable trims like Laredo and Limited to luxury models such as Overland and Summit. Performance variants included the SRT and Trackhawk, while the Trailhawk catered to off-road enthusiasts. For 2021, the Laredo and Limited received minor updates, and new versions like the Laredo X and 80th Anniversary Edition were introduced. Our test vehicle, a Summit trim, came loaded with a 5.7-liter V8, 4WD, and several premium options, totaling $68,185.

The Summit's Platinum Series Group gave it a more premium look by replacing flashy chrome with body-color elements and platinum chrome finishes. Inside, the Summit's cabin exuded luxury with premium leather, genuine wood, real aluminum, and simulated suede. The Indigo and Ski Gray color scheme, quilted seats, wood-and-leather steering wheel, and partially digital instrumentation elevated the Grand Cherokee's interior to a luxury level. However, some dated switchgear and mismatched panel fits signaled that a redesign was overdue.

Performance-wise, the 2021 Ford Edge came with two engine options. Most models used a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. This engine came paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered FWD as standard, with AWD as an option. For enthusiasts, the Edge ST housed a twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 engine producing 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque on 93-octane fuel. The ST model featured standard AWD, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and model-specific suspension tuning, with an optional package adding upgraded brakes and 21-inch wheels with summer tires. Despite some skepticism about the ST badge on an SUV, Ford had aimed to benchmark the Edge ST's performance against the Porsche Macan. While it might not match the Macan, the Edge ST was a competent performer in its class. Towing capacity for the Edge varied: 3,958 pounds for the base FWD model, 4,122 pounds for the AWD four-cylinder, and 4,525 pounds for the V6-powered ST. However, competitors like the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered higher towing capacities of 5,000 pounds with AWD and optional engines.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee presented a robust performance lineup. The standard engine was a 3.6-liter V6, generating 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup offered a towing capacity of 6,200 pounds, deeming it sufficient for most needs. For more power, the optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with a Quadra-Trac II 4WD system delivered 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, boasting a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,200 pounds. The V8 also featured cylinder deactivation for better fuel efficiency, though real-world fuel economy was around 18.2 mpg. The Quadra-Trac II system included a two-speed transfer case, hill-descent control, and Selec-Terrain traction management with various settings for different driving conditions. The Grand Cherokee Summit came with a Quadra-Lift air suspension that varied ground clearance from 8.6 to 10.8 inches, improving both efficiency and off-road capability.

In daily driving, the Grand Cherokee Summit proved speedy and responsive, but the V8's fuel consumption was high, particularly in the city. The air suspension could sometimes feel bouncy, but the Grand Cherokee's tight turning radius and effective brakes made it versatile for various driving environments. Visibility was generally good, though advanced camera systems would have been beneficial for its off-roading credentials.

Regarding interior space, both the 2021 Ford Edge and the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered competitive features. The Ford Edge, a five-seat model, boasted the most rear-seat headroom among two-row midsize crossovers and substantial legroom in both rows, second only to the Hyundai Santa Fe. Standard dual-zone automatic climate control enhanced passenger comfort. The Edge's cargo capacity was impressive, offering 39.2 cubic feet with rear seats up and 73.4 cubic feet with them folded, trailing only the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. A foot-activated power liftgate was available on higher trims. Despite efforts to free up center console space with a rotary shift knob, the narrow console provided only average storage, and its awkwardly placed storage nook was easily overlooked.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit's interior spoke to luxury with its quilted and perforated leather seats, eight-way power-adjustable front seats, and a Signature Leather-Wrapped Interior Package. Heated and ventilated front seats, along with a heated steering wheel, were part of the upscale experience. Rear seats were comfortable but offered less legroom, especially with the optional entertainment system. Large windows, a panoramic sunroof, and lighter upholstery colors helped counteract any sense of claustrophobia. The Grand Cherokee's interior storage was adequate but fell short when the rear-seat entertainment system consumed most console space. Cargo space behind the rear seats measured 36.3 cubic feet, with a maximum capacity of 68.3 cubic feet. These figures were less than what the Ford Edge offered. Jeep included thoughtful features like a low-positioned power liftgate button and easy-to-fold rear seats, though the overall cargo space was less competitive.

In terms of technology, the 2021 Ford Edge featured the latest Sync 4 infotainment system, which included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on a standard 12-inch touchscreen. The system offered Bluetooth, SiriusXM with 360L, a built-in 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and four USB ports, including the addition of rear USB-C ports for 2021. The Edge ST model came with a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. Previous experience with Sync 4 in other Ford models indicated a user-friendly interface with intuitive graphics and straightforward menu layouts, making it accessible for new users.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, on the other hand, utilized the Uconnect 4C system with navigation, offering a nearly flawless user experience with responsive inputs, clear graphics, and separate stereo controls. The system included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and an Amazon Alexa Jeep Skill. Additional services provided by SiriusXM included six months of satellite radio, five years of Traffic Plus and Travel Link services, and one year of SiriusXM Guardian, offering various remote functions. The Grand Cherokee's voice recognition technology was effective despite its age, and premium audio options included a nine-speaker Alpine system or a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system in the Summit trim. While the 2021 model was tech-lite compared to its upcoming 2022 replacement, it offered essential and well-functioning technology features.

Safety was a crucial factor where these vehicles diverged. The 2021 Ford Edge earned the IIHS "Top Safety Pick" title, receiving high ratings across crash tests and a top "Superior" rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention. However, it received an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention and "Acceptable" and "Poor" ratings for headlights, depending on the trim. The NHTSA gave the Edge a five-star overall rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover tests. Standard safety features under the Ford Co-Pilot360 banner included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, post-collision braking, dynamic brake support, and rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centering was standard on all but the base SE trim, along with Evasive Steering Assist.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee's safety ratings were less impressive, particularly in IIHS tests. While the NHTSA awarded the 4WD models a five-star overall rating (2WD models got four stars due to a three-star rollover rating), the IIHS rated the Grand Cherokee "Marginal" for driver-side small frontal overlap and "Poor" for front passenger small overlap impacts. Headlight ratings were also poor unless upgraded to high-intensity discharge units. However, the Summit trim included a comprehensive suite of safety features with the ProTech II Package. This package offered adaptive cruise control, full-speed forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high beams. The Grand Cherokee also featured a backup camera, parking sensors, and an advanced ParkSense parking aid for both parallel and perpendicular spaces.