2021 Jeep Cherokee vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

When the 2021 Jeep Cherokee was first introduced, its styling was controversial, especially with its very short grille and swept-back headlights. However, after seeing the model on roads for several years, the public's initial skepticism mellowed into appreciation. The Cherokee’s design appeared better proportioned over time. The trim level greatly influenced its exterior aesthetics. An entry-level Latitude with 17-inch wheels and front-wheel drive might have looked rather generic, resembling standard rental cars. In contrast, the 80th Anniversary Edition with 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels, painted lower body cladding, and front-wheel drive stood out significantly more, giving it a premium feel. Jeep’s mastery of roof designs was evident as the Cherokee featured an optional panoramic sunroof that spanned the entire roof surface, reminiscent of what they offered in models like Wrangler and Renegade. The Cherokee's exterior, especially from the front, bore a strong resemblance to the larger Jeep Grand Cherokee, ensuring it stood out in crowded parking lots filled with crossover SUVs.

In comparison, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan's design revolved around clean lines and balanced proportions. Some might have labeled its styling as boring due to its conservative approach, but there was undeniable beauty in its timeless aesthetic. The Tiguan was large for its class, having shifted strategies from its first generation to cater to markets that favored larger vehicles. With its long-wheelbase version, it was almost as spacious inside as the Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento. This made for a roomy and accommodating interior, with extraordinary comfort for its class. The Tiguan could seat up to seven passengers with its optional third-row seat available in all-wheel-drive models, albeit the added capacity was more suitable for children. Inside, Volkswagen merged modern geometric forms with a functional layout, though the positioning of the engine start button next to the gear selector on the center console was somewhat unconventional. Shiny detailing, digital instrumentation, and an integrated touchscreen infotainment system adorned the cabin, but hard plastics and flimsy feeling steering wheel stalks were drawbacks. Depending on the trim, from the base S to the sporty SEL Premium R-Line, the Tiguan provided a range of exterior and interior finishes, with pricing starting at $25,245 and going up to $39,095, excluding delivery charges.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three different engine options, catering to various performance preferences. The base models, Latitude and Latitude Plus, came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower. For those seeking more kick, a 3.2-liter V-6 engine was available, generating a more robust 271 horsepower. The top-tier option was a 2.0-liter GMET4 turbocharged four-cylinder, delivering nearly the same horsepower as the V-6 with 270 hp, but significantly more torque at 295 pound-feet, compared to the V-6’s 239 lb-ft. Despite these variations, none of the engines excelled in acceleration. The 2019 Cherokee, a mechanical twin to the 2021 model, had modest performance with 0-60 mph times of roughly 7.2 seconds using the V-6 and 7.4 seconds with the turbo-four. All Cherokee models came with a nine-speed automatic transmission from ZF, which had its early hiccups but proved efficient over time, offering better alternatives than the commonly criticized continuously variable transmissions (CVTs). Though most Cherokees were available in front-wheel drive to keep prices competitive, particularly for fleet sales, the Trailhawk model stood out for its off-road prowess with features like Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control, enhancing its climbing and obstacle navigation capabilities.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, by contrast, featured a single engine choice: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, power was delivered primarily to the front wheels, with an all-wheel-drive option available for an additional cost on most trims or standard on the SEL Premium R-Line. The turbocharged engine did face some lag, making immediate power delivery sluggish. The Tiguan, with its nearly 4,000-pound weight, could feel underpowered in situations requiring quick acceleration, like freeway on-ramps or passing maneuvers. According to the EPA, fuel efficiency was rated at 25 mpg combined for front-wheel-drive models and 24 mpg for all-wheel-drive variants, though real-world testing showed the Tiguan AWD yielding around 22.6 mpg. Despite its performance limitations, the Tiguan offered pleasant driving dynamics with light, responsive steering, a compliant ride, and refined braking. However, the SUV’s suspension was less forgiving over sharp bumps and railway tracks, detracting from its smooth character. The Tiguan's noisy tires in enthusiastic driving scenarios enabled it to excel in long-distance comfort on highways rather than spirited handling.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee filled the gap between the smaller Renegade and the larger Grand Cherokee, positioning it firmly in the compact crossover segment alongside competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, its utility was not its strongest suit. With a cargo capacity of only 26 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 55 cubic feet with the seats folded flat, the Cherokee lagged behind its class rivals such as the Mazda CX-5, Ford Escape, and Kia Sportage in cargo space. Despite having about 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, competitive with the Ford Escape and Kia Sportage, its less generous cargo hold was a drawback. The Cherokee's interior layout was practical but unremarkable—the design was clean and businesslike without striving for luxury or high-tech flair. Trim levels greatly influenced cabin quality, with entry-level models featuring abundant rubberized plastic, while higher trims like the Trailhawk offered more upscale materials, including suede seat inserts and contrasting stitching. The Latitude Lux trim reached the pinnacle with perforated Nappa leather upholstery, giving it a sportier, more sophisticated look.

On the other hand, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort and space in its design. Easy access was facilitated by large doors and tall seating positions, while the front seats offered a wide range of adjustments for excellent visibility and support. Perforated V-Tex leatherette upholstery in the Tiguan mimicked real leather successfully, paired with effective dual-zone climate control. The rear seats provided ample legroom and support, featuring air conditioning vents and USB charging points, making it ideal for passengers of all sizes, including parents using reverse-facing child seats. The panoramic sunroof was a notable option, complete with a noise-reducing wind deflector. While the Tiguan’s front storage compartments were somewhat limited, it excelled in rear cargo space. With a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat, the Tiguan presented versatility, providing between 33 and 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row depending on the third-row seat presence. Maximum capacity ranged from 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet, surpassing the Cherokee in terms of cargo volume and functional space utilization. Handy features like side storage wells and levers to fold the rear seats added to the Tiguan's practical edge.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee shone with its user-friendly Uconnect infotainment system, which was lauded for offering the best climate and infotainment controls in the industry. Unlike some competitors that buried simple controls in confusing menus, the Cherokee provided intuitive access to functions like heated seats with physical buttons and a rotary knob for climate settings. The Uconnect system came in two screen sizes: a 7-inch touchscreen for Latitude, Latitude Plus, and Latitude Lux trims, and an 8.4-inch touchscreen for the Limited and Trailhawk trims. Both screens displayed minimal latency and responsive performance. Standard features included wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Amazon Alexa integration. Remote start was also available, enhancing convenience across different climates. The consistency of Uconnect across various Stellantis models, from the Cherokee to high-end Rams, was a testament to its success and user satisfaction.

Volkswagen introduced the next-generation Modular Infotainment Toolkit (MIB3) in the 2021 Tiguan SE trim and above. MIB3 included an 8-inch touchscreen with enhanced processing speed and a rich feature set: wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi for up to four devices, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The Tiguan also offered Car-Net services, including remote engine start, automatic crash notification, and Family Guardian settings for teen drivers. However, the Tiguan's MIB3 interface had some quirks, and its voice recognition was less than stellar. The standard six-speaker system, except for the higher-range SEL Premium R-Line trim with its nine-speaker Fender audio system, struggled with sound quality at higher volumes. Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation was available in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims, providing an understated yet effective display of driver information.

Safety was a mixed bag for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee. While it didn't receive a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, it did earn "Good" scores in all crashworthiness categories and a G+ for LATCH ease of use. However, its headlight performance varied, with higher trims rated "Acceptable" and other trims "Marginal" due to issues with beam coverage. The NHTSA awarded the Cherokee a four-star overall safety rating, noting minor deficiencies in frontal crash protection. Standard advanced safety features included lane departure warning, lane keep assist, full-speed forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring. However, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality was limited to the Limited and Trailhawk trims, and only as an option in the Trailhawk.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan fared better in safety evaluations, especially in the SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims that earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS due to their high-performing LED headlights. Volkswagen's IQ Drive suite of safety technologies was standard on all Tiguans, featuring forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Starting with the SE trim, adaptive cruise control was added. The SEL introduced lane departure warning with lane keep assist, and the SEL Premium R-Line added automatic high-beam headlights and front and rear parking sensors. The adaptive cruise control was smooth in mixed conditions, though slow to react to moving traffic, and lane-keep assist functioned well but had occasional inconsistencies. The Tiguan's parking sensors and reversing camera enhanced safety during maneuvers, particularly with the top-down surround-view available in the SEL Premium R-Line. The Car-Net connected services offered additional safety features like automatic crash notification and parental controls for teen drivers.