2021 Jeep Cherokee vs 2022 Ford Expedition

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's styling had evolved over the years since its debut, and while opinions on its short grille and swept-back headlights remained mixed, the vehicle's proportions seemed to have improved. The Cherokee's exterior appearance varied significantly depending on the trim level, with the entry-level Latitude appearing more generic, while the 80th Anniversary Edition boasted a more refined look with its 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding. The Cherokee's optional panoramic sunroof was a standout feature, covering the entire top surface and adding to its distinctiveness in a crowded SUV market. Overall, the Cherokee's design was unique enough to stand out in a parking lot, bearing a resemblance to the larger Jeep Grand Cherokee from the front.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Expedition underwent several exterior styling revisions, including a new grille, headlights, and bumper, giving it a fresh appearance. The rear also received updates with revised taillights, tailgate trim, and a new bumper. The Expedition's model lineup included various trims, such as XL STX, XLT, Limited, King Ranch, and Platinum, with prices ranging from just over $55,000 to nearly $84,000. The introduction of the Timberline trim catered to off-road enthusiasts, offering features like standard 4WD, all-terrain tires, and suspension modifications. The Stealth Edition packages added black 22-inch wheels and distinctive exterior trim, enhancing the vehicle's visual appeal. Inside, the Expedition featured a redesigned dashboard with the new Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems, offering a modern and tech-savvy interior.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine options, catering to different trim levels. The base Latitude and Latitude Plus trims came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower. The 3.2-liter V-6 engine, available on higher trims, delivered a more robust 271 horsepower. The top-tier engine was the 2.0-liter GMET4 turbocharged four-cylinder, generating 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, providing a slight edge in torque over the V-6. Despite these options, the Cherokee's acceleration was modest, with 0 to 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 had improved over time. The Cherokee's off-road capabilities were notable, especially in the Trailhawk model, which excelled on trails with features like Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control. However, the availability of front-wheel drive aimed to keep prices competitive, particularly for rental fleets.

The 2022 Ford Expedition, on the other hand, was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, producing 380 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque in the standard configuration. The Stealth Edition Performance Package offered a higher output of 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque on 93-octane fuel. The Expedition's powertrain, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided impressive towing capabilities, ranging from 9,000 to 9,300 pounds. While the Expedition's fuel economy varied between 17 and 19 mpg in combined driving, the test vehicle achieved 16.2 mpg. The Expedition's driving dynamics were generally smooth, though the Stealth Edition's sport-tuned suspension could be harsh on uneven pavement. Despite its size, the Expedition was surprisingly easy to park, thanks to excellent visibility and advanced parking aids. On the highway, the Expedition excelled, offering a comfortable and quiet ride, making it ideal for long road trips.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee occupied a niche 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 them folded, placing it at the bottom among compact SUVs. The Cherokee provided about 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, making it competitive in that aspect. The interior design was straightforward and functional, with trim levels influencing the overall feel. The Latitude trim featured basic materials, while the Trailhawk and Latitude Lux offered more upscale options like suede seat inserts and Nappa leather upholstery.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Expedition excelled in interior space and comfort, offering a spacious cabin with power-adjustable, leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats. The second-row captain's chairs provided ample legroom and comfort, while the third-row seat offered good leg support but limited headroom for taller passengers. Cargo space varied depending on the configuration, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 104.6 cubic feet with both rear rows down. The Expedition Max offered even more cargo capacity. The interior featured thoughtful storage solutions, including a wide console with a large storage bin and hidden cupholders.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system, known for its user-friendly interface and climate control accessibility. It offered two screen sizes: a 7-inch touchscreen on lower trims and an 8.4-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though only in wired form, and included a 4G WiFi hotspot and Amazon Alexa integration. Remote start was available, adding convenience for various climates. The Uconnect system's consistency across Stellantis brands was a notable advantage for Cherokee buyers.

The 2022 Ford Expedition introduced Ford's next-generation Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems. The standard Sync 4 system featured a 12-inch touchscreen with physical controls, while Sync 4A offered a larger 15.5-inch touchscreen with a single volume dial. Both systems included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect with Wi-Fi hotspot access, and natural voice recognition. Sync 4A added advanced features like conversational voice recognition and an adaptive dashcard user interface. The Expedition also offered a choice of Bang & Olufsen premium sound systems, though some audio quality issues were noted. The rear-seat entertainment system featured Amazon Fire TV, allowing passengers to stream content. Additionally, the Expedition included Pro Trailer Backup Assist 2.0, simplifying trailer reversing.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee received mixed safety ratings. While it earned top "Good" scores in crashworthiness categories from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), it did not receive a Top Safety Pick award. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave it a four-star overall safety rating. The Cherokee offered standard advanced safety features, including lane departure warning, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring. However, adaptive cruise control was only available on higher trims.

The 2022 Ford Expedition featured Ford Co-Pilot360 safety systems, divided into three packages. The standard package included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and new features like intersection assist. Co-Pilot Assist 2.0, available on higher trims, included a surround-view camera system and rear automatic emergency braking. The Expedition also offered Ford's BlueCruise hands-free driving technology, enhancing highway driving convenience. While adaptive cruise control performed well, the lane-centering assist had some issues, particularly in heavy traffic.