2021 Jeep Cherokee vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's styling had evolved over the years, mellowing compared to its original debut. Although some reservations remained about its very short grille opening and swept-back headlights, the Cherokee's proportions appeared better suited to contemporary tastes. Much of the exterior appeal depended on the trim level selected. For instance, the entry-level Latitude with 17-inch wheels and front-wheel drive (FWD) did not particularly stand out, resembling numerous other vehicles in rental fleets. Conversely, an 80th Anniversary Edition, sporting 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels, presented a far more refined appearance with its painted lower body cladding.

Jeep's ingenuity with roof options was notable. The Cherokee offered an optional panoramic sunroof stretching across the entire roof, a characteristic reflecting Jeep's broader approach seen in models like the Wrangler and Renegade. Overall, the Cherokee maintained a distinctive presence in the crowded SUV market, often resembling the larger Jeep Grand Cherokee, particularly from the front.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V looked strikingly similar to its compact crossover counterparts on the market. The uniformity in the segment was evident, with the CR-V blending into the sea of look-alikes. A few design elements, such as the grille opening and some chromed plastic features, provided minor distinctions. However, exterior aesthetics were unlikely the primary reason for purchasing the CR-V.

Honda offered the CR-V in eight colors, although half were variations of gray, along with black and white. Aegean Blue Metallic stood out as the most vibrant option, but it was rarely found in dealer inventories. Interior options included black, gray, and ivory cloth or leather, with higher trims introducing wood panels and more chrome for an upscale appearance. The interior sported angular seats and headrests, contributing to a modern look. Yet, vehicles like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson surpassed the CR-V in styling, especially at mid-tier trims.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee provided a range of engine options tailored to different needs. The base models, Latitude and Latitude Plus, featured a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower. Moving up, the 3.2-liter V-6 offered a substantial boost with 271 horsepower. At the top end, the 2.0-liter GMET4 turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivered 270 horsepower and an impressive 295 pound-feet of torque, though just shy of the V-6 in horsepower.

Acceleration was moderate, with the V-6 engine achieving zero to 60 mph in roughly 7.2 seconds and the turbo-four in about 7.4 seconds. The nine-speed automatic transmission by ZF, though initially problematic, had become a reliable and fuel-efficient component, contrasting favorably against competitors' often-criticized CVTs.

For those seeking off-road capability, the Trailhawk model excelled with features like Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control, enhancing its performance on challenging terrains. However, Cherokee's availability in FWD aimed at maintaining a lower price point, particularly for rental markets.

The 2021 Honda CR-V, on the other hand, was not designed for exhilarating speed. With a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine standard across all nine trims, the CR-V reached 60 mph in about 7.8 seconds. The performance was consistent with other compact crossovers, placing it in line with segment expectations.

All CR-V trims employed a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which prioritized smooth and predictable acceleration over driving engagement. FWD was standard, with AWD as a cost option, mirroring its competitors, except for the Subaru Forester, which featured standard AWD.

The CR-V's unitized body structure and common suspension setups ensured decent handling and ride quality, but without much distinction from other vehicles in its class.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee positioned itself between the smaller Renegade and larger Grand Cherokee, competing in the compact crossover segment alongside the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, it fell short in utility with just 26 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 55 cubic feet with the seats folded, lagging behind rivals like the Mazda CX-5, Ford Escape, and Kia Sportage.

Passenger volume was a moderate 102 cubic feet, competitive but not leading the class. The interior, although simple and businesslike across trims, ranged from basic rubberized black plastic in the Latitude to suede seat inserts and upscale Nappa leather upholstery in higher trims like the Trailhawk and Latitude Lux.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was designed with function in mind, offering a practical layout for carrying five passengers and their cargo. With 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume, it surpassed the Toyota RAV4 and boasted a substantial 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded.

Cargo access varied by trim, from a manual tailgate on the LX to a hands-free power tailgate on the Touring, facilitating easier loading. The EX and higher trims came with power tailgates, but only the Touring included roof rails as standard.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's infotainment and climate control interfaces were exemplary, featuring the highly praised Uconnect system. Available with either a 7-inch or an 8.4-inch touchscreen, both versions integrated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto—though wired rather than wireless. Additional features included a 4G WiFi hotspot, Amazon Alexa integration, and remote start, depending on the trim level. The intuitive and responsive Uconnect system was a strong point, consistent across all Stellantis vehicles.

Conversely, the 2021 Honda CR-V LX had a basic 5-inch color screen with minimal connectivity features. Higher trims offered a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Audio systems improved with trim levels—from a 180-watt six-speaker system in the EX, EX-L's eight speakers, to the Touring's 300-watt system with a subwoofer.

Higher trims incorporated multiple charging ports and the Touring trim boasted a wireless phone charger. Satellite navigation with voice recognition was available only on the Touring trim, reflecting a broader range of features as you moved up the trim levels.

Safety was a strong focus for the 2021 models of both the Jeep Cherokee and Honda CR-V, though their ratings and standard features differed.

The Jeep Cherokee missed top accolades from the IIHS but scored well with "Good" ratings in crashworthiness and a G+ for LATCH child seat anchors. However, it struggled with headlight performance and attained a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Standard safety features were comprehensive, including lane departure warning, forward collision warning with automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring. However, adaptive cruise control was limited to higher trims.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, achieving a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award, albeit not the highest Plus rating due to headlight and updated side crash test scores. Honda's standout approach was offering its comprehensive Honda Sensing system across all trims, including advanced features like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, and more, ensuring broad accessibility to these technologies.