2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee was widely appreciated for its stylistic longevity, which spanned over a decade since its introduction. Its design was considered an ideal fusion of rugged utility and upscale sophistication, highlighted by bold, flared fenders and large wheels pushed to the vehicle's corners. This design philosophy contributed significantly to its sustained popularity, offering a middle ground between mainstream, luxury, and performance SUVs.

The 2021 Grand Cherokee lineup ranged from affordable trims like the Laredo and Limited to the more upscale Overland and Summit, and also included performance-oriented SRT and Trackhawk versions. An off-road-capable Trailhawk sat in the middle of this spectrum. The 2021 model introduced new variants like the value-oriented Laredo X and the 80th Anniversary Edition, with pricing spanning from $35,000 to nearly $90,000.

Our test vehicle was the plush Summit trim, equipped with a 5.7-liter V8 engine, four-wheel drive (4WD), extra-cost paint, the Platinum Series Group, and the Signature Leather-Wrapped Interior Package, tallying an MSRP of $68,185. The Platinum Series Group toned down the Summit’s standard glam for a more premium look by replacing sparkly bits with a platinum chrome finish and adding body-color components.

The Grand Cherokee Summit's interior boasted premium materials such as leather, genuine wood, aluminum, and simulated suede. The Indigo and Ski Gray color scheme, quilted seat bolsters, and digital instrumentation created a luxurious atmosphere. However, the interior design showed signs of aging with outdated switchgear and non-flush panel fits.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX 460 maintained a design reflective of its decade-long market presence. Originally designed without the spindle grille—which was later grafted on—the 2021 GX carried elements from past updates, including the 2020 model's textured grille insert and triple-beam LED headlights. While aesthetically coherent, thanks in part to its boxy profile and aggressive stance, the GX's design did show its age.

Our Premium test car's interior felt outdated, with wood trim that seemed like molded plastic and pervasive actual plastic elements. While it did have standard leather upholstery and semi-aniline leather on the Luxury trim, the interior fell short of modern luxury expectations with an awkwardly positioned steering wheel and a seating layout that felt more bus-like than SUV-like.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered impressive powertrain options. It came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup could tow up to 6,200 pounds, making it more than adequate for most needs.

For those desiring extra power, Jeep also offered a 5.7-liter Hemi V8, producing 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. This engine featured the Quadra-Trac II 4WD system and could tow a best-in-class 7,200 pounds. However, its fuel efficiency, rated at 17 mpg combined, left much to be desired. During testing, the V8 managed 18.2 mpg on a mixed loop of mountainous and highway driving.

The Grand Cherokee Summit was equipped with Quadra-Trac II, providing a two-speed transfer case, hill-descent control, and Selec-Terrain traction management. Additionally, the Quadra-Lift air suspension could vary ground clearance, enhancing both on-highway efficiency and off-road capability. Despite its bounciness in urban settings, the Grand Cherokee excelled in maneuverability and responsiveness.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX 460 kept it simple with a single engine option: a 4.6-liter V8 producing 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. This engine allowed the GX to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 7.8 seconds, but the vehicle's 5,130-pound weight impeded higher-speed performance.

Despite its V8 engine, the GX required careful planning for merging and overtaking maneuvers. Stopping also required advanced preparation, and the ride quality, typical of a body-on-frame design, was less refined compared to unibody SUVs. Body roll and low grip during cornering were evident, underscoring its traditional SUV roots.

However, the GX excelled off-road. Equipped with a Torsen center differential that could split torque 40/60 or lock for a 50/50 split, the GX also featured several driver aids like hill-descent control. An Off-Road Package for the Luxury trim level added valuable features such as Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select. Despite this, the Land Rover Discovery surpassed the GX in most off-road metrics due to its air suspension.

Step into the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit and you're greeted by firm, supportive seats and a thick, heated steering wheel. The Signature Leather-Wrapped Interior Package added luxurious leather and quilted patterns. Front seats were adjustable in eight ways, heated, and ventilated, but integrating these controls into the Uconnect infotainment system could be distracting.

Rear-seat comfort was reasonable, although taller adults might find legroom tight, especially with the DVD/Blu-Ray player installed. Rear air conditioning vents and large windows helped to mitigate any sense of claustrophobia.

Cargo capacity in the Grand Cherokee was practical but not outstanding for a midsize SUV. With the rear seats up, it offered 36.3 cubic feet, expanding to 68.3 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. While practical, the space was somewhat restricted compared to competitors.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460's interior, with its upright dashboard and high center console, felt cramped and outdated. The ergonomic setup, combined with a bus-like seating position, detracted from the luxury experience. However, excellent outward visibility and user-friendly analog controls for climate and seat heaters were a plus.

With standard seating for seven, the GX's third row was best suited for children, as accessing it was cumbersome. The GX offered 64.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded, significantly less than the 73.0 cubic feet in the Land Rover Discovery. With the third row up, cargo space was almost non-existent, making it more practical as a two-row SUV.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav, a user-friendly infotainment system with responsive graphics and intuitive controls. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and access to a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Amazon Alexa integration allowed convenient remote commands.

Additional features included SiriusXM services, voice recognition, and, in our test Summit, a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Despite its age, the Uconnect system remained a highlight, though the Grand Cherokee was otherwise "tech lite."

In stark contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX offered limited tech features. It lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and sported a dated touchscreen with basic graphics. While it had standard Bluetooth and Amazon Alexa connectivity, the analog controls were a mixed blessing—easier to use but indicative of outdated technology.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee had mixed safety ratings. While it earned a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with 4WD, it performed poorly in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests, particularly in small-overlap, frontal-impact collisions. The Grand Cherokee’s headlights also rated poorly unless upgraded.

Safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. Parking assistance and a backup camera further enhanced its safety profile.

Conversely, the 2021 Lexus GX lacked published crash-test ratings from both NHTSA and IIHS. However, it came standard with the Lexus Safety System+, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. While it included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, it missed some newer features available in other Lexus models.