2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Kia Seltos

Despite being a subcompact SUV, the 2021 Kia Seltos had a big-car feel. It featured an upright layout with a commanding view of the road. The headlight design, though busy, flowed well into the grille styling. The lower front bumper had an aggressive approach angle, hinting at off-road capabilities, even though the Seltos was not designed for such adventures. The two-tone roof design and red circles around the wheel centers added to its on-road driving dynamics, creating a cohesive and stylish look.

Inside, the Seltos boasted a straightforward design layout typical of modern Kias, with clean lines and seamlessly integrated tech features reminiscent of upscale brands like Audi. The clean LCD screen for climate controls added visual symmetry with the touchscreen atop the dash. The handle framing the right side of the tray below the center stack underscored the utilitarian yet sporty nature Kia aimed for. Trim levels ranged from LX to SX Turbo, each adding more features and enhancements, culminating in the SX Turbo with its LED fog lamps, larger infotainment touchscreen, and upgraded stereo.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, a new seven-passenger model, was an extended-length version of the upcoming redesigned 2022 Grand Cherokee. It featured a third-row seat and more cargo volume. The Grand Cherokee L's styling was a strong selling point, resembling a smaller version of the more expensive Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models. Instantly recognizable as a Jeep, it had a signature seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and familiar lighting arrangements, looking terrific across all trim levels.

Jeep offered the Grand Cherokee L in various trims, from Laredo to Summit Reserve, with prices ranging from $36,995 to $64,235. The Summit trim test vehicle included 4WD, metallic paint, the Advanced Pro Tech Group, the Luxury Tech Group, and a 19-speaker McIntosh premium audio system, totaling $64,770. While some interior materials and fittings didn't meet the high price's scrutiny, the Summit's quilted and perforated leather, real wood trim, and loaded technology represented a substantial improvement over the old model.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The LX, S, and EX trims came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive (AWD). AWD was standard on LX and EX and optional on the S. This base engine was adequate for city driving but lacked power at higher speeds. The S Turbo and SX Turbo trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard AWD. This engine provided ample power for quick acceleration and highway driving, especially in Sport Mode, which enhanced throttle response and steering feel. Despite its upright layout and 7.3 inches of ground clearance, the Seltos handled well with minimal body roll and a smooth ride over bumps.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive (RWD) or one of three 4WD systems. The V6 engine offered brisk acceleration but was loud when revved. The eight-speed automatic transmission was well-behaved but sometimes resisted downshifts to improve fuel economy. The Grand Cherokee L also offered a 5.7-liter V8 engine with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, available only with 4WD on Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve trims. This engine increased towing capacity to 7,200 pounds but reduced fuel economy to 17 mpg combined. The Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension provided a smooth ride and capable handling, with various off-road modes and up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance for tackling rough terrain.

The 2021 Kia Seltos provided a solid amount of cargo space, with 26.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This made it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs, even surpassing some compact SUVs. The SX Turbo trim included a hard cargo cover that doubled as a tray for small items. The Seltos also offered plenty of cubbies and compartments for both front and rear passengers, with large cubbies and bottle holders in the doors, a spacious center console, and a tray between the driver and front passenger. The rear seats provided ample head- and legroom, making it a comfortable choice for passengers.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered comfort and convenience, especially in the Summit trim, which featured heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats with 12-way power adjustment, a heated steering wheel, and a four-zone automatic climate control system with air vents in all three rows. However, the dashboard vents were too small, making it difficult to cool the cabin quickly. The second-row captain's chairs provided plenty of legroom and comfort, with manual side window sunshades for added convenience. The third row was comfortable for all but the tallest adults, with large side windows for a great view. Cargo space behind the third row measured 17.2 cubic feet, expanding to 46.9 cubic feet with the third row folded and 84.6 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the base S trim, while the SX Turbo came with a Bose premium sound system, a 7-inch digital display screen in the instrument panel, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This larger screen could display Apple CarPlay/Android Auto alongside radio, climate, or navigation data. However, plugging in a smartphone via USB would default to the phone's music, which could be frustrating. Only one of the two USB ports allowed data connection, and it was not backlit, making it difficult to use in the dark. Despite these quirks, Kia's infotainment system was straightforward and intuitive, with helpful home and hard buttons for easy menu navigation.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L employed the latest Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering faster response and an improved user experience. Two touchscreen sizes were available: 8.4-inch and 10.1-inch with navigation. The larger screen bridged the gap between the center air vents and climate controls, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and connected services, including a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The natural voice-recognition system worked well, though it occasionally provided unexpected results. The optional 19-speaker McIntosh high-end audio system sounded terrific but had a logo that didn't fit the interior's vibe. Additional features included a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel, a digital rearview mirror, a thermal-imaging night vision system, and a Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring system.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and child-seat anchor latches. All trims except the base LX included a full suite of driver-assistance safety features, such as forward-collision avoidance with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. The EX trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the SX trim included adaptive cruise control with idle stop-and-go and cyclist detection. The Seltos also featured an alert system for when a vehicle in front had pulled away, preventing the embarrassment of a courtesy honk from the driver behind.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, a hands-on driving-assistance system combining adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-centering assistance. While the adaptive cruise control worked well, the steering assist felt artificial. The system would become hands-free in the 2022 model year. The Grand Cherokee L also featured Intersection Collision Assist, which could detect threats from either side at intersections and apply brakes if necessary. Additional driver aids included Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist, which steered the Jeep into parking spaces. As of the review, crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the new model was expected to improve upon the old Grand Cherokee's flaws.