2021 Jeep Cherokee vs 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's aesthetics grew on many since its initial release. While critics initially expressed hesitation about its short grille and swept-back headlights, time helped balance these proportions, making the Cherokee more visually appealing. However, the overall exterior look varied significantly based on the chosen trim level. An entry-level Latitude with 17-inch wheels and FWD appeared rather generic, like a vehicle picked out from a standard rental lot. In contrast, the 80th Anniversary Edition boasted 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding, offering a much classier appearance.

Jeep's mastery of roof designs was evident in the Cherokee, which featured an optional panoramic sunroof covering the entire top surface. This design ethos was inspired by other models like the Wrangler and the Renegade, adding a unique touch to the Cherokee. Ultimately, the Cherokee stood out in a crowded field of crossover SUVs, bearing a notable resemblance to the larger Jeep Grand Cherokee, particularly from the front.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe promised an initially steep price tag, which transformed into a feeling of underpaying upon closer inspection. The mid-size SUV offered an array of gasoline engines and a new gas-electric hybrid powertrain. Gas trims included SE, SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy, while hybrid trims comprised Blue, SEL Premium, and Limited, with the gas versions assembled in Alabama and hybrids imported from South Korea.

A significant exterior overhaul defined the 2021 Santa Fe, with redesigned running lights, a reworked grille, and a new bumper. The distinguishing grille, headlight, and wheel designs varied per trim, highlighting each trim's uniqueness. Inside, the Santa Fe introduced new colors, patterns, and textures, reflected in an upgraded console with a digital 12.3-inch display, enhancing the vehicle's modern and upscale ambiance. The Calligraphy trim, in particular, showcased opulent materials like quilted Nappa leather and a suede-like headliner, providing an elevated cabin experience.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine options based on trim. The Latitude and Latitude Plus came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine generating 180 horsepower. The 3.2-liter V-6 boosted output to 271 hp, while the top-tier 2.0-liter GMET4 turbocharged four-cylinder produced 270 hp and a robust 295 lb-ft of torque. Though none of these engines delivered jaw-dropping acceleration—approximately 7.2 seconds to 60 mph for the V6 and 7.4 seconds for the turbo-four—the engines were competent for everyday driving. Each Cherokee model came with a nine-speed automatic transmission, proven reliable over time.

For off-road enthusiasts, the Cherokee Trailhawk offered impressive capabilities with features such as Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control, making it adept in challenging terrains. However, unlike its all-wheel-drive-only sibling, the Wrangler, the Cherokee provided a FWD option, making it more affordable but less suitable for rough off-road expeditions.

On the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe front, three new powertrains highlighted its versatility. The SE and SEL trims featured a 191-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid models combined a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with an electric motor and a six-speed automatic, delivering 226 hp and 195 lb-ft of immediate torque.

Higher trims—Limited and Calligraphy—boasted a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing an impressive 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed wet-plate dual-clutch transmission, ensuring quick and efficient gear shifts. The Santa Fe also offered driving modes (Normal, Sport, and Smart), and while the Smart mode occasionally delayed downshifts, it was designed for fuel efficiency.

Overall, the Santa Fe excelled in ride quality, structural rigidity, braking, and handling, making it a superior driving experience. Remarkably, the EPA rated both its turbo and standard engines similarly at 24 mpg combined with AWD, though real-world testing yielded around 22.4 mpg.

The Jeep Cherokee filled the niche between the smaller Renegade and larger Grand Cherokee. Compared to its compact crossover peers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, it fell short in utility. With only 26 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 55 cubic feet with them folded, its cargo space lagged behind competitors such as the Mazda CX-5, Ford Escape, and Kia Sportage.

Passenger volume was moderately competitive at about 102 cubic feet, straddling the Ford Escape and Kia Sportage. The Cherokee's interior layout leaned towards simplicity and functionality, avoiding pretentious luxury or overwhelming technology. Interior satisfaction varied with trim levels, from the basic rubberized plastic-filled Latitude to the upscale, sporty Latitude Lux with perforated Nappa leather.

In contrast, the Hyundai Santa Fe prioritized spacious comfort. Lacking a third-row seat, the Santa Fe instead capitalized on ample passenger room, with dual-zone automatic climate control across all trims and stain-resistant fabric or leather depending on the trim level. The Calligraphy trim exuded luxury with features like quilted Nappa leather and a suede-like headliner, raising the bar for interior opulence.

Both comfort and convenience defined the Santa Fe’s cabin. From the power-adjustable front seats and heated/ventilated seating to rear air-conditioning vents and sliding rear bench seats, it ensured long-haul comfort. Despite missing a third-row seat, its cargo capacity was impressive—36.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 72.1 cubic feet when folded, competing well with the largest compact crossovers.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee stood out with its Stellantis-brand Uconnect infotainment system, lauded for its user-friendly interface. It came in two sizes: a 7-inch touchscreen for lower trims and an 8.4-inch touchscreen for higher trims. Uconnect featured minimal latency, and controls for climate settings and heated seats were always accessible. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, included a 4G WiFi hotspot, and offered Amazon Alexa integration and remote start, enhancing both connectivity and convenience.

On the technology frontier, the 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy was brimming with advanced features. It included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a crystal-clear surround-view camera, and an 8.5-inch color HUD with extensive data, including blind-spot alerts. The infotainment system had an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto as standard, while the 10.25-inch upgrade offered wired versions plus enhanced voice-recognition and Blue Link services.

Blue Link extended connected services free for three years, integrating with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and smartwatches, and included features like remote engine start and climate adjustment. The Santa Fe also incorporated Hyundai Digital Key and Remote Smart Parking Assist, which allowed for unlocking, driving, and parking the vehicle via a smartphone or keyfob, albeit more of a novelty for some.

The Jeep Cherokee trailed in safety accolades, not securing "Top Safety Pick" titles from the IIHS, although it did achieve high "Good" scores in crash tests and exceptional ratings for LATCH ease of use. The NHTSA awarded it a respectable four-star overall rating. Standard safety features across all trims included lane departure warning with lane keep assist, full-speed forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring, though adaptive cruise control was limited to the higher trims.

The Hyundai Santa Fe, on the contrary, was a "Top Safety Pick" per the IIHS, thanks to stellar ratings in every crashworthiness category and advanced front crash-prevention technology. It outshone in forward-collision warning systems detecting pedestrians, cyclists, and junction turns, safe exit assist, rear occupant alert, and the Blind-Spot View Monitor. Highway Driving Assist further combined lane following and adaptive cruise control for near hands-free experience, enhancing its appeal in terms of safety.