2021 Jeep Cherokee vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance styling with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Despite a 2019 refresh and a 2020 Black Edition, the exterior design remained polarizing. The Pilot was available in seven trims, ranging from the base LX to the upscale Black Edition, with prices between $32,250 and $49,920. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $2,000, except on the Elite and Black Edition trims where it was standard. The new Special Edition trim added black 20-inch alloy wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, wireless smartphone charging, and a hands-free power tailgate. The Black Edition featured exclusive black leather upholstery with red accents, but its black floor mats were a hassle to clean, especially for pet owners. The interior quality was high, but the design felt more like a minivan, which, along with its exterior, did not appeal to everyone.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's styling had become more accepted since its debut, though the short grille and swept-back headlights were still divisive. The exterior look varied significantly by trim level, with the entry-level Latitude appearing basic, while the 80th Anniversary Edition looked more refined with 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding. Jeep excelled in roof options, offering a panoramic sunroof for the Cherokee. The Cherokee stood out in a crowded SUV market, resembling the larger Grand Cherokee from the front.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The engine was smooth and responsive, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with an optional torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. The Pilot offered driving modes like Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand, and included fuel-saving features like variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start. The EPA rated the AWD Pilot at 22 mpg combined, and it averaged 21.5 mpg in testing. The Pilot's suspension provided a comfortable ride and surprisingly agile handling, aided by the torque-vectoring AWD system and 20-inch wheels on the Black Edition. However, its off-road capability was limited by 7.3 inches of ground clearance and all-season tires.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower, a 3.2-liter V6 with 271 horsepower, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The V6 and turbo-four provided similar acceleration, with 0-60 mph times around 7.2 and 7.4 seconds, respectively. All engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Cherokee excelled off-road, especially the Trailhawk model, which featured Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control. However, the Cherokee was also available in front-wheel drive, making it more affordable but less capable off-road.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered ample space for families, seating up to eight with a second-row bench seat. The test vehicle's front seats were leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver and four-way for the passenger. Second-row captain’s chairs were optional on the Touring trim and standard on Elite and Black Edition models. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults. Storage was abundant, with compartments in the door panels, center console, and seatback pockets. The Pilot provided 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 83.9 cubic feet in total.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee, positioned between the Renegade and Grand Cherokee, offered 26 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 55 cubic feet with them folded, which was less than competitors. The Cherokee had about 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, making it competitive in its class. The interior layout was simple and functional, with higher trims offering more upscale materials like suede and Nappa leather. The Latitude trim was basic, while the Trailhawk and Latitude Lux provided more comfort and style.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The Special Edition added wireless phone charging, while the Touring trim included navigation, a WiFi hotspot, and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The system was adequate but had some usability issues, such as the lack of a tuning knob and limited voice-recognition capabilities. The Touring trim also added a rear-seat entertainment system with a 115-volt power outlet and HDMI port.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's Uconnect infotainment system was available with 7-inch and 8.4-inch touchscreens, both offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. The system was user-friendly, with easy access to climate controls and minimal latency. The Cherokee also provided a 4G WiFi hotspot and Amazon Alexa integration. Remote start was available, adding convenience in extreme weather conditions. The Uconnect system was consistent across Stellantis brands, offering a familiar and reliable experience.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The Pilot received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and high marks from the IIHS, though it had some areas for improvement, such as the lane-departure warning system.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee did not earn a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS but received "Good" scores in most crashworthiness categories. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating. The Cherokee included standard safety features like lane departure warning, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring. However, adaptive cruise control was only available on higher trims.