2021 Jeep Cherokee vs 2021 INFINITI QX80

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's styling had evolved since its debut, with opinions mellowing over time. Initially, the short grille opening and swept-back headlights were points of contention, but after seven years, the Cherokee's proportions seemed more balanced. The exterior appearance varied significantly with trim levels. The entry-level Latitude with 17-inch wheels and front-wheel drive (FWD) looked quite basic, while the 80th Anniversary Edition with 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding appeared much more refined. The Cherokee's optional panoramic sunroof was a standout feature, covering the entire top surface and adding to its unique look. Overall, the Cherokee managed to stand out in a crowded field of crossover SUVs, bearing a resemblance to the larger Jeep Grand Cherokee, especially from the front.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80, reflecting its Nissan Armada origins, combined elements from both brands. The body shell, roofline profile, and rear window curve were carried over from the Armada, while the front-end styling was distinctly Infiniti, featuring a grille with dark chrome trim and a unique headlight design. This gave the QX80 an assertive yet not overly aggressive look. Standard LED headlights, taillights, and fog lights, along with automatic high beams and an auto-leveling feature, added to its appeal. The base Luxe trim rode on 20-inch wheels, while the Premium Select and Sensory trims boasted 22-inch wheels. Inside, the QX80's design closely mirrored the Armada, with wood trim, contrast stitching, and standard leather upholstery enhancing its luxury feel. However, some elements, like the foot-operated parking brake, felt less premium. Despite this, the interior still exuded a sense of luxury, though it might not satisfy those seeking exclusivity.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine options, depending on the trim level. The Latitude and Latitude Plus came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower. The 3.2-liter V-6 engine, available on higher trims, significantly boosted output to 271 hp. The top-tier engine was the 2.0-liter GMET4 turbocharged four-cylinder, delivering 270 hp and 295 pound-feet of torque, making it a strong contender. Despite these options, none of the engines provided outstanding acceleration, with the V6 and turbo-four models achieving 0-60 mph in about 7.2 and 7.4 seconds, respectively. All Cherokee models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, which had proven to be a capable and fuel-efficient choice. The Cherokee's off-road capabilities were notable, especially in the Trailhawk model, which excelled on trails thanks to features like Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control. However, the availability of FWD aimed to keep prices competitive, particularly for rental fleets.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 was equipped with a 5.6-liter V8 engine and a seven-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive (RWD) as standard and 4WD as a $3,100 option. The V8 engine produced 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, providing ample power for this large SUV. While the engine was responsive, the transmission shifts could have been smoother. The QX80's body-on-frame construction, combined with independent suspension and a rear auto-leveling feature, ensured a comfortable ride. The Sensory trim included Hydraulic Body Motion Control, reducing body roll during cornering. Despite its size, the QX80 offered a comfortable and quiet ride, though it felt less composed in corners. The QX80's 4WD system, with low range and a forward skid plate, enhanced its off-road capabilities, though its size and wheel-and-tire combinations limited its effectiveness on tight trails. The QX80's towing capacity of 8,500 pounds was impressive, though slightly less than the Lincoln Navigator's maximum capacity.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee occupied a space between the smaller Renegade and the larger Grand Cherokee, competing with compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, it fell short in terms of utility, offering only 26 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 55 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded, placing it at the bottom among compact SUVs. The Cherokee's 102 cubic feet of passenger volume was competitive, though slightly smaller than the Ford Escape and slightly larger than the Kia Sportage. The interior layout was simple and businesslike, with trim levels significantly affecting satisfaction. The Latitude trim featured rubberized black plastic, while the Trailhawk offered suede seat inserts and contrasting stitching. The Latitude Lux trim boasted perforated Nappa leather upholstery, adding a touch of luxury.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80, a three-row SUV, came standard with a seven-seat configuration, featuring second-row captain’s chairs and a center console. An eight-seat configuration with a 60/40 split-folding second-row bench seat was optional. Standard features included a 10-way-adjustable power driver’s seat and an eight-way front passenger’s seat, both with two-way lumbar support. Sensory models added heating and cooling for the front seats. The QX80 offered competitive passenger space in all three rows, though not class-leading. The third row provided enough space for adults, and models with second-row captain’s chairs included a large console with storage space and climate controls. Cargo space was 16.6 cubic feet with all three rows in place, 49.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.1 cubic feet with both the third row and second-row captain’s chairs folded. While the power liftgate and power 60/40-split-folding third row made cargo handling easier, the front-door cupholders and phone storage spots were less practical.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee featured the Stellantis brands' highly regarded infotainment system and climate control interfaces. The Uconnect system was available with a 7-inch touchscreen on the Latitude, Latitude Plus, and Latitude LUX trims, and an 8.4-inch touchscreen on the Limited and Trailhawk trims. Both screen sizes offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, though only wired. The Cherokee also provided a 4G WiFi hotspot and Amazon Alexa integration. Remote start was available, adding convenience in various climates. The Uconnect system was praised for its user-friendly interface and minimal latency issues, making it a strong point for the Cherokee.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 came with the standard Infiniti InTouch dual-screen infotainment system, featuring 8.0-inch upper and 7.0-inch lower touchscreens, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a built-in WiFi hotspot, and navigation. The system also included Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 13-speaker Bose audio system, with a 17-speaker Bose system and a Theater Package rear-seat entertainment system as options. Despite the array of analog controls, the user interface was not intuitive, requiring trial and error to navigate. The touchscreens were small and positioned far from the driver, complicating use. However, the QX80 included helpful tech features like the Smart Rearview Mirror, which switched from a conventional mirror to a streaming-video display, and the Around View Monitor 360-degree camera system, enhancing visibility and safety.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee did not earn a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It received top “Good” scores in every crashworthiness category and a G+ score for the ease of use of the LATCH child seat anchors. However, the Cherokee's headlights received mixed ratings, with upper trims rated “Acceptable” and others rated “Marginal.” The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the Cherokee a four-star overall safety rating, with a slight demerit for front driver side crash protection. Standard safety features included lane departure warning with lane keep assist, full-speed forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control with stop and go was available only on the Limited and Trailhawk trims.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars for side crash tests, four stars for frontal crash tests, and a three-star rollover rating. The 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. These features were common in mainstream SUVs, but Infiniti made them standard, enhancing the QX80's safety profile.