2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 INFINITI QX80

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 reflected its Nissan Armada roots with a mix of styling elements from both brands. The body shell carried over from the Armada, evident in the roofline profile and rear window curve. Both SUVs featured front fender vents and stuck with body-on-frame construction, unlike many modern SUVs that opted for unibody construction. The QX80’s front end, however, was distinctly Infiniti, with a grille and headlight design introduced in 2018, giving it an assertive yet not overly aggressive look. Standard LED headlights, taillights, and fog lights, along with 20-inch wheels on the base trim and 22-inch wheels on higher trims, added to its appeal.

Inside, the QX80’s design closely mirrored the Armada, with wood trim, contrast stitching, and standard leather upholstery enhancing the luxury feel. The dashboard had a familiar shape, and many controls were carried over from the Armada, including a foot-operated parking brake. While the interior felt luxurious, it lacked the exclusivity some buyers might expect from a high-end SUV.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, a new seven-passenger model, was an extended version of the upcoming 2022 Grand Cherokee, featuring a third-row seat and more cargo volume. Its styling, reminiscent of the more expensive Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models, was a strong selling point. The Grand Cherokee L was instantly recognizable as a Jeep, with its signature seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and familiar lighting arrangements. Available in multiple trims, from Laredo to Summit Reserve, the Grand Cherokee L offered a range of features and pricing.

Our test vehicle, a Summit trim with 4WD, metallic paint, and several tech packages, had a window sticker of $64,770. While some interior materials didn’t meet the high price expectations, the quilted and perforated leather, real wood trim, and abundant technology made the Grand Cherokee L’s interior a significant improvement over the old model.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 came with a 5.6-liter V8 engine producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with 4WD available for an additional $3,100. The V8 engine was responsive, making highway overtaking stress-free, though transmission shifts could have been smoother. The QX80’s body-on-frame construction, combined with independent suspension and Hydraulic Body Motion Control on Sensory models, provided a comfortable ride, though some shudders were noticeable over bumps. The QX80’s handling was less composed in corners, with significant body roll, but speed-sensitive power steering helped maintain a relaxed driving style. The QX80 excelled in towing and off-road capability, with a maximum towing capacity of 8,500 pounds and a 4WD drivetrain with low range and a forward skid plate.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine with 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive or one of three 4WD systems. The V6 engine provided brisk acceleration but was loud when revved, and the transmission sometimes resisted downshifts to improve fuel economy. The optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, available only with 4WD on higher trims, produced 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, increasing towing capacity to 7,200 pounds but reducing fuel economy to 17 mpg combined. The Grand Cherokee L’s Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension and Selec-Terrain off-road modes, including Snow, Mud/Sand, and Rock, enhanced its off-road capability. The Summit trim’s Quadra-Drive II 4WD system included an electronic locking differential and a low-range transfer case setting. The Grand Cherokee L’s stiffer structure provided a smooth ride and capable handling, with a secure on-center steering feel and a relatively quiet cabin.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 offered a standard seven-seat configuration with second-row captain’s chairs and an optional eight-seat configuration with a 60/40 split-folding second-row bench seat. Standard features included a 10-way-adjustable power driver’s seat, an eight-way front passenger’s seat, and a driver’s memory system. Passenger space was competitive but not class-leading, with enough room for adults in the third row. Cargo space measured 16.6 cubic feet with all seats in place, 49.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.1 cubic feet with both the third and second rows folded. The center console could open from both the front and back, but storage space was limited, and the front-door cupholders were not well-shaped for holding drinks.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L’s Summit trim featured heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats with 12-way power adjustment, a heated steering wheel, and a four-zone automatic climate control system. The second-row captain’s chairs provided ample 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. Practical storage space for front-seat occupants was limited, but second-row passengers had a storage console that opened in two ways. 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 the third and second rows folded.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 featured the Infiniti InTouch dual-screen infotainment system with 8.0-inch upper and 7.0-inch lower touchscreens, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a built-in WiFi hotspot, and navigation. Standard features included Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 13-speaker Bose audio system, with optional upgrades like a 17-speaker Bose system and a Theater Package rear-seat entertainment system. The user interface was not intuitive, with small screens and controls that were difficult to use. However, the Smart Rearview Mirror and Around View Monitor 360-degree camera system were helpful features.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L employed the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, available with 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreens. Our test vehicle had the larger screen, which offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and connected services, including a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system also featured a natural voice-recognition system and an optional 19-speaker McIntosh high-end audio system. Additional tech 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 INFINITI QX80 received a four-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars for side crash tests, four stars for frontal crash tests, and a three-star rollover rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not tested the QX80. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and Backup Collision Intervention.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, a hands-on driving-assistance system combining adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-centering assistance. Intersection Collision Assist, standard on Summit models, could detect threats from either side at intersections and apply the brakes if necessary. Additional driver aids included Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist. As of this review, crash-test ratings for the Grand Cherokee L were unavailable, but improvements over the old model were expected.