2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic status with its timeless design, featuring circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, and exposed bolts and hinges. Its rugged appearance, reminiscent of a toy truck for adults, was unmistakable on the road. The Wrangler offered various trim levels, each with unique styling options like painted or exposed fenders and soft or hard tops, but all retained the core elements that defined the Wrangler's identity. Inside, the Wrangler prioritized charm over comfort, with upright seating, limited legroom, and manual seat adjustments, appealing to drivers who valued its rugged character.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was a new addition to the lineup, offering a more refined and spacious design. It was an extended-length version of the upcoming 2022 Grand Cherokee, featuring a third-row seat and increased cargo volume. The Grand Cherokee L's styling was sleek and modern, with a signature seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches, making it instantly recognizable as a Jeep. Available in multiple trims, the Grand Cherokee L provided a range of luxury features, including quilted leather seats and real wood trim, elevating its interior to a higher standard of comfort and sophistication.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a diverse powertrain lineup, including gas, diesel, mild-hybrid, and the powerful Hemi V8. Most buyers opted for the standard 3.6-liter V6, delivering 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. The Wrangler's off-road capabilities were enhanced by three 4WD systems: Command-Trac, Select-Trac, and Rock-Trac, with the latter featuring front-and-rear locking differentials and a disconnectable front sway bar. The Rubicon 392 variant, with its 6.4-liter V8 engine producing 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, transformed the Wrangler into an off-road powerhouse, complete with a dual-mode performance exhaust and upgraded suspension.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, generating 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered rear-wheel drive or a choice of three 4WD systems, with a maximum tow rating of 6,200 pounds. An optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, available on higher trims, produced 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, increasing towing capacity to 7,200 pounds. The Grand Cherokee L's Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension provided up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance, enhancing its off-road capabilities. Despite its size, the Grand Cherokee L delivered a smooth ride and capable handling, with various driving modes for different terrains.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a range of top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top and the Freedom hardtop with removable panels. The Rubicon 392 featured the Sky one-touch power top, providing a convenient open-air experience. Inside, the Wrangler's cabin was functional, with limited storage space but practical features like drain plugs for easy cleaning. It provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, though wheel-wells and roll-bars could limit larger items.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L prioritized comfort, especially in the Summit trim, with heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a four-zone climate control system. The second row offered captain's chairs or an optional bench seat, with ample legroom and manual sunshades. The third row was surprisingly comfortable, with large windows for a great view. Cargo space measured 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 46.9 cubic feet with the seats folded, and a maximum of 84.6 cubic feet behind the front seats, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler's technology varied by trim, with the Sport featuring a basic 5-inch screen, while higher trims offered a 7-inch or optional 8.4-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Rubicon 392 included a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and an off-road camera nestled in the front grille, providing a clear view of the trail ahead.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, available with 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreens. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The test vehicle included a 19-speaker McIntosh audio system, a digital instrumentation panel, and a Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring system. The Grand Cherokee L's head-up display remained visible to drivers wearing polarized sunglasses, enhancing its user-friendly technology suite.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional modern driver-assistance features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. However, lane-departure warning was unavailable, and most safety features were optional. The Wrangler included a backup camera with dynamic guidelines and a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. Intersection Collision Assist, standard on Summit models, detected threats at intersections and applied brakes if necessary. The Grand Cherokee L offered a comprehensive package of driving assistance and collision avoidance technologies, including Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of review, but improvements over the previous model were expected.