2021 Jeep Cherokee vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's styling had evolved over time, becoming more palatable since its debut. Initially, the short grille and swept-back headlights were points of contention, but over the years, the Cherokee's proportions seemed to improve. The exterior appearance varied significantly with trim levels, from the basic Latitude with 17-inch wheels to the more refined 80th Anniversary Edition with 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels. Jeep's knack for maximizing roof utility was evident in the Cherokee's optional panoramic sunroof, which covered the entire top surface. The Cherokee's distinct look ensured it stood out in a crowded SUV market, bearing a resemblance to the larger Grand Cherokee from the front.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460's styling was a testament to its long tenure in the market, retaining the same basic body shell for over a decade with incremental updates. The GX adopted Lexus' spindle grille in 2014, which was refreshed in 2020 with a textured insert and new triple-beam LED headlights. While the 2021 model didn't introduce new styling changes, it did standardize silver 18-inch wheels on the Premium trim. Despite its age, the GX's design remained coherent, with a massive grille that was characteristic of many modern SUVs. Its tough, aggressive look appealed to SUV enthusiasts, though the interior lagged behind modern luxury standards, with wood trim that felt like plastic and an abundance of actual plastic materials.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine options, catering to different trim levels. The base Latitude and Latitude Plus featured a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower. A more powerful 3.2-liter V-6 engine delivered 271 hp, while the top-tier 2.0-liter GMET4 turbocharged four-cylinder engine generated 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, surpassing the V-6's 239 lb-ft. Despite these options, none provided exceptional acceleration, with 0-60 mph times around 7.2 seconds for the V6 and 7.4 seconds for the turbo-four. All models came with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which improved over time to offer better performance than many CVTs. The Cherokee Trailhawk excelled off-road, equipped with Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control, making it surprisingly capable on trails. The availability of FWD aimed to keep prices competitive, though it was less common among buyers.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 kept things straightforward with a single powertrain option: a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX's performance was reminiscent of older SUVs, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. While the V8 provided ample power from a stop, the GX's 5,130-pound weight was noticeable at higher speeds, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. Stopping the vehicle also demanded foresight, and the body-on-frame construction resulted in a less refined ride compared to unibody SUVs. Despite these drawbacks, the GX excelled off-road, featuring a Torsen center differential, low-range 4WD, and various driver aids. An optional Off-Road Package enhanced its capabilities further, though the Land Rover Discovery outperformed it in some off-road metrics. The GX boasted a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds, with trailer-sway control included.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee occupied a niche between the smaller Renegade and larger Grand Cherokee, competing with compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, it fell short in utility, offering just 26 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats up and 55 cubic feet with them folded, trailing behind competitors like the Mazda CX-5 and Ford Escape. With 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, it was competitive in that aspect. The interior was straightforward and businesslike, with trim levels influencing the quality of materials. The Latitude featured basic rubberized plastic, while the Trailhawk offered suede seat inserts and the Latitude Lux boasted perforated Nappa leather upholstery.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior reflected its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console limiting legroom. The steering wheel's odd angle and tall seating position contributed to a bus-like driving feel. While the Premium model introduced a heated wood-trimmed steering wheel, the heating elements didn't cover the entire wheel. The dashboard design and boxy profile provided excellent visibility, though the tall hood limited forward sight. Storage options were limited, with small center-console bins and cupholders. The GX featured three rows of seating, with a power-folding third row available on higher trims. However, the third row was cramped and best suited for children. Cargo space was limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with seats folded, significantly less than the Land Rover Discovery. The third row further reduced cargo capacity, making the GX more practical as a two-row SUV.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee boasted an impressive infotainment system, with Stellantis brands leading the industry in user-friendly interfaces. The Uconnect system offered 7-inch and 8.4-inch touchscreens, depending on the trim, with minimal latency issues. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were supported, though only via wired connections. The Cherokee also featured a 4G WiFi hotspot, Amazon Alexa integration, and remote start, enhancing convenience for drivers. The consistency of the Uconnect system across Stellantis vehicles was a significant advantage for Cherokee buyers.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, reflecting its decade-old design. While Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity were standard, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were notably absent. The infotainment system's graphics appeared outdated, and its functionality was limited. However, Lexus provided analog controls for most functions, offering a refreshing alternative to touchscreen-centric interfaces. The GX's tech offerings were basic, but the inclusion of analog controls was a welcome departure from the norm in luxury SUVs.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee did not receive a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, though it earned "Good" scores in crashworthiness categories and a G+ rating for LATCH child seat anchors. The headlights received mixed ratings, with upper trims rated "Acceptable" and others "Marginal." The NHTSA awarded 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, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was available on higher trims.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 lacked published crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS. However, it came equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. The GX missed out on some advanced safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.