2021 Hyundai Tucson vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson had a more futuristic design, appealing to those who preferred a small crossover with conventional styling. Its upright layout provided a commanding view of the road, and the interior featured a modern, attractive dash design. Tech features were seamlessly integrated, making every button and dial easy to find. The Tucson's trim levels ranged from SE to Ultimate, each adding more features such as alloy wheels, power-adjustable seats, and advanced tech options like a 360-degree camera system and a panoramic sunroof.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was an extended-length version of the upcoming redesigned 2022 Grand Cherokee, featuring a third-row seat and more cargo volume. Its styling was instantly recognizable as a Jeep, with a signature seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches. 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, offered luxurious features like quilted leather seats, real wood trim, and a 19-speaker McIntosh premium audio system.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came with two engine options. The base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produced 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, while the SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate trims featured a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 181 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and offered either front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The base engine felt underwhelming, especially at highway speeds, making the 2.4-liter engine a better choice for more lively performance. The Tucson had a comfortable, refined ride and could tow up to 2,000 pounds with the 2.4-liter engine.

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 optional 4WD systems. The V6 engine offered brisk acceleration but was loud when revved. An optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, available only with higher trims and 4WD, generated 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, increasing towing capacity to 7,200 pounds. The Grand Cherokee L featured various driving modes, including Sport, Snow, Mud/Sand, and Rock, and offered up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance with its Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson provided 31 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 61.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. While this was on the lower side for the compact SUV segment, it offered adequate space for weekend bags or large boxes. The Tucson's front seats were comfortable and supportive, with solid headroom and legroom. The rear seats were less spacious but still accommodating for adults. The Tucson also featured plenty of cubbies and compartments for storage.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a more spacious interior, especially in the Summit trim, which included heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats with 12-way power adjustment. The Grand Cherokee L's second-row captain’s chairs provided ample legroom and comfort, and the third row was surprisingly comfortable for adults. Cargo space measured 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.6 cubic feet with both rows down. The Grand Cherokee L also featured a useful storage bin under the load floor and a storage console between the second-row captain’s chairs.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ultimate trim offered an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen, which was optional on other trims. The touchscreen was user-friendly, with logical menu layouts and helpful hard buttons. Additional available features included navigation, satellite radio, and wireless device charging.

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 with navigation. 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 a natural voice-recognition system and an optional 19-speaker McIntosh audio system. Additional tech features included 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 2021 Hyundai Tucson provided a solid list of standard driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver drowsiness monitoring. Upper-tier trims offered additional features like adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, automatic high-beams, a 360-degree parking monitor, and blind-spot monitoring. The Tucson earned five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, a hands-on driving-assistance system combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. The system aimed to reduce driver fatigue on long trips but felt somewhat artificial in steering corrections. The Grand Cherokee L also featured Intersection Collision Assist, which could detect threats at intersections and apply brakes if necessary. Additional safety features included Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist. As of the review, crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the new model was expected to improve upon the old Grand Cherokee’s safety performance.