2021 Jeep Cherokee vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

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. The base Latitude with 17-inch wheels and FWD had a more generic look, while the 80th Anniversary Edition with 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding offered a more refined appearance. Jeep's knack for maximizing roof utility was evident in the Cherokee's optional panoramic sunroof, which covered the entire top surface. The Cherokee stood out in a crowded SUV market, bearing a resemblance to the larger Grand Cherokee, especially from the front.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator was praised for its distinct styling, avoiding the temptation to mimic competitors. It adopted the successful design language of the Navigator, resulting in a sharp-looking vehicle with crisp lines and chrome accents. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a cabin defined by comfort and warmth, featuring soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The piano button shifter added a unique touch, and the soothing chimes contributed to the luxury feel. The Aviator offered various trims, each with increasing levels of luxury and features, from the Standard trim with synthetic leather and tri-zone climate control to the Black Label Grand Touring with nearly every optional feature as standard.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine options, starting with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower for the Latitude and Latitude Plus trims. The 3.2-liter V-6 engine increased output to 271 hp, while the top-tier 2.0-liter GMET4 turbocharged four-cylinder delivered 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Despite these options, the Cherokee's acceleration was modest, with 0-60 mph times around 7.2 seconds for the V6 and 7.4 seconds for the turbo-four. All models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, which improved over time. The Cherokee Trailhawk excelled off-road, thanks to features like Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control. However, the Cherokee was also available in FWD, appealing to budget-conscious buyers and rental fleets.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, with a 21-mile electric range. The hybrid powertrain provided brisk acceleration, though the Aviator's size resulted in noticeable body roll in corners. The drive mode selector offered options like "Excite" and "Conserve," enhancing the driving experience. The Aviator excelled on highways and in suburban settings but was less agile in city driving.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee occupied a space 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 26 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats up and 55 cubic feet with them folded, lagging behind competitors. The Cherokee provided about 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, competitive in its class. The interior was simple and businesslike, with trim levels affecting the overall feel. The Latitude featured rubberized black plastic, while the Trailhawk offered suede seat inserts and contrasting stitching. The Latitude Lux boasted perforated Nappa leather upholstery for a more upscale appearance.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expandable to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats down. The second row was particularly comfortable, especially in the Grand Touring model with captain's chairs and a digital control panel. The Aviator's power-button door releases were a unique feature, though they raised concerns about functionality if the battery died.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system, praised for its user-friendly interface. Available with 7-inch or 8.4-inch touchscreens, the system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though only via wired connections. The Cherokee also offered a 4G WiFi hotspot and Amazon Alexa integration. Remote start was available, adding convenience in various climates. The Uconnect system was consistent across Stellantis brands, providing a familiar experience for users.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system. The landscape layout of the screen was more natural than the Explorer's vertical design. Sync 3 was intuitive, with redundant controls in the center stack. The Aviator supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, displaying large icons for easy use. The fully digital instrument panel and optional head-up display added to the tech-savvy interior.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee did not earn a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS but received "Good" scores in crashworthiness and a G+ for LATCH ease of use. Headlight ratings varied, with upper trims rated "Acceptable" and others "Marginal." The NHTSA gave the Cherokee a four-star overall safety rating. 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 Lincoln Aviator was well-equipped with safety features, including the Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and more. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added reverse automatic braking, self-parking, and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top marks from the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.