2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2022 GMC Terrain

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a testament to timeless design, maintaining its appeal over a decade after its debut. It combined rugged utility with upscale sophistication, featuring big wheels and flared fenders that gave it a balanced and artistic look. The Grand Cherokee's design contributed significantly to its success, as it straddled the line between mainstream, luxury, and performance SUV categories. The lineup ranged from the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the upscale Overland and Summit, with performance models like the SRT and Trackhawk, and the off-road-ready Trailhawk. The Summit trim, in particular, offered a premium look with body-color accents and a luxurious interior featuring premium leather and genuine materials. However, the interior showed signs of aging, with outdated switchgear and non-flush panel fits indicating a need for redesign.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Terrain received updates to its front styling, wheel designs, and interior trim, with the new AT4 trim level adding a bolder grille, black alloy wheels, and sport-terrain tires. The AT4 was marketed as a "small off-road SUV," equipped with a steel skid plate for protection. The test vehicle featured a blacked-out AT4 treatment and a black leather interior, along with several packages that increased its MSRP to $41,810. The Terrain offered more affordable SLE and SLT trims with standard FWD, while the Denali trim added luxury. Despite being GMC's entry-level model, the Terrain's interior materials and execution did not fully meet expectations for its price range. The pushbutton transmission controls and narrow storage tray were notable design oversights, and while the AT4's caramel-colored stitching was a nice touch, the overall cabin did not reflect the craftsmanship GMC claimed.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 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 offered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,200 pounds. The V8 featured cylinder deactivation technology for improved fuel efficiency, though it achieved only 17 mpg in combined driving. The Quadra-Trac II 4WD system, with its two-speed transfer case and Selec-Terrain traction management, provided excellent off-road capabilities. The Grand Cherokee Summit's Quadra-Lift air suspension offered 4.1 inches of variability, enhancing both on-road efficiency and off-road ground clearance. Despite its off-road prowess, the Grand Cherokee was speedy and responsive in daily driving, though the V8 consumed fuel rapidly in the city.

The 2022 GMC Terrain, on the other hand, was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. The previously available turbocharged 2.0-liter engine was discontinued, reducing the Terrain's towing capacity to 1,500 pounds. The 1.5-liter engine required careful management of its torque band for optimal performance, with a nine-speed automatic transmission aiding in maintaining momentum. The Terrain AT4 offered FWD and AWD modes, with an Off-Road mode and Hill Descent Control for challenging conditions. However, torque steer was an issue in FWD mode. The Terrain's suspension provided a smooth ride on highways and city streets, though it struggled with off-road challenges due to its limited ground clearance. The Terrain AT4's fuel economy was commendable, achieving 26.2 mpg on the evaluation loop.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured a luxurious interior with quilted and perforated leather seats, a heated steering wheel, and eight-way power-adjustable front seats. The Uconnect infotainment system controlled seat and steering wheel heating, though physical buttons would have been less distracting. The rear seat offered comfort but limited legroom for taller passengers, with large windows and a panoramic sunroof enhancing the sense of space. Cargo space measured 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expandable to 68.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, the rear-seat entertainment system reduced storage space in the center console.

The 2022 GMC Terrain AT4 provided a roomy interior with power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The dual-zone automatic climate control system was effective, and the perforated leather upholstery with caramel-colored stitching added an upscale touch. The back seat was spacious, with ample legroom and a rear USB charging port. The Terrain offered various storage solutions, though the storage tray forward of the cupholders was narrow. Cargo space was 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat, expandable to 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The front passenger seat could also be folded for longer items.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system, offering a user-friendly experience with fast response times and pleasing graphics. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system's voice recognition technology was effective, allowing control of various features through voice commands. The Summit trim came with a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, providing excellent sound quality. However, the Grand Cherokee was otherwise "tech lite," with essential features but lacking advanced digital capabilities.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems, with the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims featuring an 8-inch touchscreen. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and GMC Connected Services. The Infotainment Package II added connected navigation, improved voice recognition, and a Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was highly accurate, though the Bose speakers were less impressive. The Terrain also offered a head-up display, park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system as part of the Tech Package.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee had mixed safety ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models but lower ratings from the IIHS in certain crash tests. The Summit trim included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The ParkSense parking assistance system was also available.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came standard with the GMC Pro Safety Package, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and lane-keeping assist. The Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Terrain received mostly "Good" crash-test scores from the IIHS, though it earned a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 Terrain at the time of review.