2021 Jeep Cherokee vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The KL-generation Cherokee launched as a 2014 model and almost immediately began swirling in controversy. Jeep hadn’t offered a Cherokee in the United States since the 2001 model year, when the XJ Cherokee disappeared, replaced by two generations of the Jeep Liberty.

There was great excitement for this all-new Jeep. Lots of fans were hoping for a redo of the 1984 to 2001 Jeep Cherokee that really helped to define the midsize SUV class with a unibody and legendary toughness. “The 2014 Cherokee feels planted on the road, more carlike than trucklike…” read an early review in Car and Driver. A separate review from the same publication read: “If you have eyes, you’ve noticed that this Cherokee, code-named KL, makes no design references, other than with the grille, to the iconic, rectilinear XJ Cherokee.”

But the automotive industry isn’t necessarily in the business of fueling nostalgia. It’s interested in what it can sell in great numbers in the future, not what people liked 30 years ago. And what we’ve realized over the years is that the Cherokee is really good at what it does, and it’s capable of doing a lot more than you’d expect.

Jeep sells these at a rate of 240,000 annually, in a good year. The best the Jeep Liberty it replaced ever managed was 166,883 units before dropping off the face of the Earth entirely. Clearly, Jeep knew something we didn’t when it released the Cherokee.

Only a few years ago, Lincoln was in a confusing space. Confusing because many of its cars overlapped with the nicest trims of vehicles from parent company Ford. It was also confusing because of the alphanumeric vehicle names. But Lincoln has ended both of those trends. First, Lincoln has returned to real names for its vehicles, such as the Corsair and Nautilus (Cadillac, are you listening?!).

But what’s in a name? This rebranding would be moot without a compelling product. In this respect, the American luxury brand has delivered, highlighted by the 2021 Lincoln Aviator. This three-row midsize SUV boasts modern technology, potent drivetrain options, and creature comforts that you might sooner find in a high-end German luxury sedan. But this newfound quality comes with a steeper price tag. So is it worth consideration against the likes of the Audi Q7 and RX 350L? Read on to find out.