2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee represented an enduring style that continued to captivate even a decade after its introduction. This fourth-generation model skillfully combined rugged utility and upscale sophistication. The design featured large wheels pushed to the corners, complementing purposely flared fenders, making it a perfect embodiment of what an SUV should look like, second only to the Jeep Wrangler in off-road aesthetics. The timeless appeal played a significant role in its continued success, and its varied lineup catered to a broad audience. From the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the luxurious Overland and Summit, and including the performance-focused SRT and Trackhawk models, the Grand Cherokee offered something for everyone. The Summit trim, with its 5.7-liter V8 engine, body-color accents, genuine wood, real aluminum, simulated suede, and quilted leather, showcased robust luxury features. Despite its aesthetic and functional strengths, the interior was starting to show its age, with outdated switchgear and occasional fit-and-finish issues hinting at the need for a redesign.

Conversely, the 2021 Toyota Highlander was anything but boring in its appearance. With a design that stood out among the sea of midsize SUVs, the Highlander featured wide headlights, an assertive trapezoidal grille, and a character line reminiscent of the Toyota Supra. The rear taillights borrowed elements from Lexus models. For 2021, the Highlander introduced the XSE trim, which added sporty styling cues like a restyled front end, 20-inch wheels, and tuning that tightened the suspension. However, this sportiness was more about appearance than actual performance. Our test vehicle, the Limited trim, exuded an upscale feel with chrome roof rails and accents. Inside, the Highlander’s fit and finish, particularly with tan leather seats and dark brown trim, were near flawless. The cabin's wood details, though not real, still looked impressive, delivering a luxury feel.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. This engine’s power delivery was sufficient for most needs, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a towing capacity of up to 6,200 pounds. For those craving more power, Jeep offered an optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8. This robust engine boasted 360 hp, 390 lb-ft of torque, and a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,200 pounds. The V8 also featured cylinder deactivation technology to improve fuel efficiency, though it still garnered a modest combined fuel economy of 17 mpg, which we saw increase slightly to 18.2 mpg in mixed driving conditions.

For off-roading, the Grand Cherokee Summit came with a Quadra-Trac II 4WD system, a two-speed transfer case, hill-descent control, and Selec-Terrain traction management. It also featured a Quadra-Lift air suspension, adding 4.1 inches of variability to improve both efficiency and ground clearance, the latter extending up to 10.8 inches for rugged trails. Despite its heavier V8 engine, the Grand Cherokee Summit managed to be speedy and relatively quiet inside. However, it was thirsty in city driving and, despite its advanced air suspension, could feel bouncy and wobbly over uneven surfaces. The Grand Cherokee's tight turning radius, effective braking, and clear visibility compensated for these minor drawbacks.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Highlander housed a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, similar to the Grand Cherokee’s base engine. This engine, also paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offered reliable and predictable performance. While not a drag race contender, it provided ample power for highway merging and daily commuting. In comparison to its competitors like the Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, and Honda Pilot, the Highlander held its own in horsepower and torque. Sportier trims like the XSE added higher-rated springs, retuned shock absorbers, power steering, and a rear stabilizer bar, enhancing the vehicle’s driving dynamics slightly without transforming it into a performance-oriented SUV. The Highlander’s strength remained its soft, comfortable ride, making it more suitable for family adventures than for spirited driving.

Inside the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit, the driver and passengers were greeted with plush, quilted leather seats and wood-and-leather steering. Both front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, and included heating and ventilation. However, the controls for these functions were integrated into the Uconnect infotainment system, which may cause distractions as opposed to physical buttons. The Summit also featured a panoramic glass sunroof, which alongside the large side windows and light upholstery, helped open up the cabin. Yet, rear legroom was somewhat limiting for taller passengers, and the optional rear-seat entertainment system could add to the claustrophobia.

In terms of cargo space, the Grand Cherokee offered 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 68.3 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The rear storage included practical features like a recessed bin for bottles and storage bins around the spare tire, although overall cargo capacity was on the lower end for a midsize SUV.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander, in contrast, provided a more family-friendly interior configuration. The front seats’ standout feature was a set of shelves that accommodated large cell phones with a pass-through for charging cords. The second row in the Highlander was roomy and adjustable, allowing sliding seats to balance legroom between the middle and third rows. Nevertheless, adults would only find the third row comfortable if the second-row passengers compromised on space.

Cargo capacity in the Highlander was more generous. With all seats in use, it offered 16 cubic feet behind the third row. This could be expanded to 48.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 84.3 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down, providing ample space for various needs.

Despite the imminent arrival of the 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee with its next-generation Uconnect 5 system, the 2021 Grand Cherokee’s Uconnect 4C with Nav was still highly capable. It featured navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and even Alexa integration for remote commands. SiriusXM services included a range of features from satellite radio to Traffic Plus and Travel Link, with free subscriptions ranging from six months to five years. Voice recognition tech was surprisingly effective for an older model, allowing drivers to control multiple functions through voice commands. The Grand Cherokee also sported a premium 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system in the Summit trim, delivering excellent sound quality. However, apart from its infotainment and 4WD systems, the Grand Cherokee remained relatively “tech lite.”

The 2021 Toyota Highlander, equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen across most trims and an optional 12.3-inch display in the Limited trim, provided a streamlined and user-friendly interface. The larger screen, standard only on the top-tier Platinum trim, was visually appealing with bright, crisp, and fast-responsive graphics. However, it didn’t utilize the full screen width for all applications, which limited its practicality. Navigation required an additional cost and had mixed performance, struggling with points of interest that other apps handled easily. Nevertheless, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay’s standard inclusion helped mitigate this shortfall. The Highlander’s JBL audio system offered decent sound but wasn’t overly impressive.

Safety was a significant concern for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. While the 4WD version received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, the 2WD variant dropped to four stars due to a three-star rollover resistance rating. The greater concern, however, was its poor performance in the IIHS’s small-overlap, frontal-impact tests. It scored “Marginal” for the driver and “Poor” for the front passenger. The standard headlights also rated poorly unless upgraded to high-intensity discharge units.

On the upside, the Grand Cherokee came with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) in the ProTech II Package, standard on the Summit trim. This included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Additionally, features like automatic high-beam headlights and parking assistance systems with a backup camera added to its safety profile.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in safety, thanks to its upgraded Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+). This suite included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support, road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. The Highlander received top safety ratings, earning five out of five stars from the NHTSA and being named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.