2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee maintained its timeless appeal, showcasing a design that balanced rugged utility with upscale sophistication. Its big wheels, flared fenders, and body-color accents contributed to its premium look, while the interior boasted premium leather, genuine wood, and a striking Indigo and Ski Gray color scheme. Despite its exterior charm, the interior showed signs of aging, with outdated switchgear and non-flush panel fits. The Grand Cherokee offered a range of trims from the affordable Laredo to the luxurious Summit, with performance models like the SRT and Trackhawk. The Summit trim, equipped with a 5.7-liter V8 engine and four-wheel drive, provided a luxurious experience, though the interior's aging design hinted at the need for a redesign.

In contrast, the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover exuded luxury with its timeless design and high-quality materials. The exterior featured hallmark design cues like blacked-out windshield pillars and large nameplate lettering, while the interior offered a mid-century modern ambiance with an Ivory-color scheme. Despite its age, the Range Rover's design remained appealing, drawing on its rich heritage. The HSE Westminster special edition, with its mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine, provided a smooth and quiet ride. However, the infotainment system, though digital, was not entirely intuitive, requiring users to familiarize themselves with its features. The Range Rover's interior, while luxurious, had some ergonomic issues, particularly in the second row, which lacked comfort and adjustability.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine with 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, capable of towing up to 6,200 pounds. For those seeking more power, the optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 delivered 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,200 pounds. The V8's cylinder deactivation technology aimed to improve fuel efficiency, though it achieved only 17 mpg in combined driving. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system and Quadra-Lift air suspension enhanced its off-road capabilities, while its tight turning radius and responsive brakes made it agile in urban settings. However, the V8's fuel consumption and the bouncy ride on uneven surfaces were notable drawbacks.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a range of powertrains, including a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The Range Rover's 4WD system, with a two-speed transfer case and Terrain Response 2 traction control, ensured its off-road prowess. The adaptive air suspension provided a smooth ride, though the SUV's weight and tall center of gravity resulted in some side-to-side wallow on uneven roads. The Range Rover's fuel economy was rated at 20 mpg in combined driving, with the test vehicle achieving 18.5 mpg. While the Range Rover excelled in comfort and luxury, its steering response and handling on winding roads required a more measured approach.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured a luxurious interior with quilted and perforated leather seats, though the rear seat offered limited legroom for taller adults. The Uconnect infotainment system integrated seat and steering wheel controls, though physical buttons would have been less distracting. The Grand Cherokee provided 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 68.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, the optional rear-seat entertainment system reduced interior storage space, and the overall cargo capacity was modest for a midsize SUV.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover's air suspension offered a kneel mode for easier access, though the second row lacked comfort and adjustability. The front seats were decadently comfortable, but the rear seats provided a slouched seating position. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments compensating for the small center-console bin. The Range Rover's cargo capacity was 25 cubic feet, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet, which was less than some compact SUVs. The clamshell-style tailgate and suspension kneel function facilitated loading, but the overall space was limited for a luxury SUV.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system, offering a user-friendly experience with navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system's voice recognition technology worked well, and the Harman Kardon audio system provided excellent sound quality. However, the Grand Cherokee's technology offerings were relatively basic, with a focus on essential features rather than advanced digital capabilities.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover's InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, with its three digital displays, offered numerous features and functions. However, the system was not entirely intuitive, requiring users to familiarize themselves with its operation. The dual touchscreens were distracting while driving, and the head-up display was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Range Rover's technology included a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app, though the infotainment system's complexity could be frustrating.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models, but its performance in IIHS testing was less impressive, with "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings in small-overlap frontal-impact collisions. The Grand Cherokee offered a range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The ProTech II Package provided comprehensive safety technology, though the Grand Cherokee's safety ratings were a concern.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional packages added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree surround-view camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, though the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond in certain situations. Overall, the Range Rover's safety features were effective, though some advanced technologies were optional.