2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Honda CR-V had a design that blended seamlessly with other compact crossovers in the market. Its styling was almost indistinguishable from its competitors, with only minor details like the grille and some chromed plastic features setting it apart. The CR-V was available in eight colors, but most were shades of gray, black, or white, with vibrant colors like Aegean Blue Metallic and Radiant Red Metallic being rare and limited to higher trims. Inside, the CR-V offered a modern look with angular seats and a choice of black, gray, and ivory cloth or leather, depending on the trim level.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L stood out with its distinctive styling, reminiscent of the more expensive Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models. It featured Jeep's signature seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and familiar lighting arrangements, making it instantly recognizable. The Grand Cherokee L was available in multiple trims, from Laredo to Summit Reserve, with prices ranging from $36,995 to $64,235. The Summit trim, in particular, boasted quilted and perforated leather, real wood trim, and a host of advanced technologies, making it a visually appealing and luxurious option.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was not designed for high-performance driving but rather for smooth and steady acceleration. It came with a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all nine trims, excluding the hybrid versions. The CR-V's acceleration to 60 mph was around 7.8 seconds, which was competitive within its class. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that provided a consistent driving experience, though it lacked the engagement of conventional transmissions found in competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. The CR-V offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, on the other hand, offered more robust performance options. It 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. The V6 engine provided brisk acceleration but was loud when revved. For those seeking more power, a 5.7-liter V8 engine was available on higher trims, generating 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of up to 7,200 pounds. The Grand Cherokee L also featured multiple driving modes, including Sport, Snow, Mud/Sand, and Rock, and offered impressive off-road capabilities with its Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension and Quadra-Drive II 4WD system.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was designed with practicality in mind, offering 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of total cargo space with the rear seats folded. It provided various options for accessing the cargo area, including a hands-free power tailgate on the Touring trim. However, roof rails were only standard on the top-tier Touring trim. The CR-V's interior was functional, with comfortable seating for five and a modern design.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L excelled in comfort and space, especially in the Summit trim, which featured heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a four-zone automatic climate control system. The second-row captain's chairs provided ample legroom and comfort, and the third row was surprisingly spacious for adults. The Grand Cherokee L offered 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 46.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 84.6 cubic feet with all rear seats down. However, the front-seat storage space was somewhat lacking.

The 2021 Honda CR-V offered a range of infotainment options, starting with a basic 5-inch color screen on the base LX trim. Higher trims featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The audio system varied by trim, with the Touring trim boasting a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were plentiful, with USB ports and a 12-volt outlet available in most trims, and a wireless phone charger included in the Touring trim.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the latest Uconnect 5 infotainment system, available with either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Grand Cherokee L also included advanced features like 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 optional 19-speaker McIntosh audio system provided excellent sound quality, though its logo felt out of place in the interior.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing system, which included a suite of advanced safety features such as a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. The only feature not standard on the base LX trim was the blind spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, a hands-on driving-assistance system combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. It also featured Intersection Collision Assist, which could detect threats from either side at intersections and apply the brakes if necessary. Additional safety features included Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist. As of the review, crash-test ratings for the Grand Cherokee L were unavailable, but it was expected to improve upon the old Grand Cherokee's ratings.