2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Kia Sorento

The 2021 Kia Sorento took a bold leap forward, transforming from its previous jelly-bean-inspired design into a far more athletic and muscular silhouette. The SX Prestige trim with the X-Line package added impressive features such as roof rails and a shark fin antenna to complement the rear roof spoiler, crafting a handsome crossover SUV. At the front, the expansive tiger-nose grille had a more noticeable curve and was paired seamlessly with headlights accentuated by running lights. The side profile featured a silver accent between the front fender and the door, which added to its visual appeal. The taillights, shaped as vertical rectangles, gave the rear end a modern yet cautiously designed look projected to age well. Despite the large D-pillars causing potential blind spots, the overall design suggested a vehicle ready for outdoor adventures.

Inside, high-value features greeted occupants. All trims were equipped with heated outside mirrors, second-row air vents, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and keyless entry. While the driver enjoyed various levels of seat adjustment across trims, the front passenger had fewer options. Heated seats were available on all but the LX trim, and the SX Prestige offered ventilated seats.

Moving to the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, this seven-passenger model was an extended-length version of the redesigned 2022 Grand Cherokee. Its styling mirrored the more expensive Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models but in a more compact form. The signature seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and distinct lighting arrangements ensured instant recognition as a Jeep. Trim levels ranged from Laredo to Summit Reserve, with pricing between $36,995 and $64,235, plus a $1,695 destination charge.

The Summit trim of our test vehicle featured quilted and perforated leather, real wood trim, and a host of technological upgrades, although some interior materials did not fully justify the high price tag. Despite this, the Grand Cherokee L's design was free of wrong lines or proportions, offering an attractive, well-proportioned appearance at every trim level.

The 2021 Kia Sorento offered a variety of powertrain options. The most common was the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. Our test model, however, came with the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, and what a difference that turbo made. With 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque routed through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission to the all-wheel drive system, the Sorento provided plenty of power for merging, cruising, and passing. The AWD system with torque vectoring and a center-locking differential added to its capability, especially with a higher ride height and 20-inch alloy wheels from the X-Line package.

Driving modes ranged from Eco, which showed impressive fuel economy but felt sluggish, to Sport, which significantly improved throttle response. Weighing in at around 4,000 pounds, the Sorento handled corners with minimal lean and provided a smooth ride, thanks to McPherson struts up front and a multi-link suspension in the rear.

In contrast, every 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came with a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Offering RWD or a choice among three 4WD systems, it could tow up to 6,200 pounds with a combined EPA rating of 21 mpg. An optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, available only with select trims, upped the output to 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, increasing towing capacity to 7,200 pounds at the cost of reduced fuel efficiency (17 mpg combined).

Our test vehicle featured the V6 engine and 4WD setup. It provided ample acceleration but was loud under heavy loads. The eight-speed transmission sometimes resisted downshifts but behaved well overall. The Quadra-Lift air suspension offered up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance and 24 inches of water-fording capability, ensuring it could handle rugged terrain. The driving modes included Snow, Mud/Sand, and Rock, adding versatility for varying conditions.

Practicality often drives the purchase of three-row SUVs, and the 2021 Kia Sorento had its strengths and weaknesses. While lower trims featured a second-row bench seat, our test vehicle's upper trim offered second-row captain's chairs, making it more suited as a four-seater for adults. The third row was tight, with limited legroom. Cargo space behind the third row was just 12.6 cubic feet, indicating you'd likely have these seats folded for more utility. With the third row down, cargo volume increased to 75.5 cubic feet, which was more in line with compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4. Storage options included a wireless charging spot for phones, sufficient cupholders, and sizeable door pockets.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, especially in the Summit trim, excelled in comfort with features like heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats with 12-way power adjustment, a heated steering wheel, and a four-zone automatic climate control system. The second-row captain's chairs also provided significant legroom. The climate control vents were somewhat underwhelming, struggling to cool the cabin swiftly on hot days.

Despite its family-friendly design, the Grand Cherokee L also lacked practical storage space upfront but compensates with a well-thought-out center console for second-row passengers that provided ample storage. Cargo space was slightly better than Sorento, with 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row and 46.9 cubic feet with it folded. The maximum cargo volume reached 84.6 cubic feet, making it more versatile for daily needs.

In the 2021 Kia Sorento, tech offerings were mixed. The smaller 8-inch touchscreen display, standard on lower trims, was user-friendly with physical buttons and knobs and supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger 10.25-inch screen, found on higher trims, had its quirks—such as the need for physical phone connectivity to project Apple CarPlay or Android Auto and inefficient use of screen space when connected. The navigation system needed improvements, particularly with voice searches. Our test model included an optional Bose stereo system that sounded average compared to other Bose systems.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L leveraged the latest Uconnect 5 system, offering faster response times and improved user experiences. Our test unit featured the larger 10.1-inch touchscreen, which integrated seamlessly with the dashboard. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot were highlights. The voice-recognition system worked well, and the optional 19-speaker McIntosh audio system provided a rich listening experience, though the logo’s design was slightly off-putting. Additional tech features included a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel, a digital rearview mirror, thermal-imaging night vision, and a Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring system.

Kia equipped the 2021 Sorento with a robust set of standard safety features. These included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, driver-attention warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, lane-following assist, and auto high beams. Our test car also featured a surround-view camera and adaptive cruise control, which worked smoothly during long drives. Despite the lane-keeping assist occasionally being slightly intrusive, overall, the systems performed well. The Sorento earned a four-star safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, although only the higher trims received perfect headlight ratings.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. While the technology aimed to ease long highway trips, the steering assist felt artificial, and the system's responsiveness to steering inputs was sometimes overly aggressive. Another notable feature was Intersection Collision Assist, standard on Summit models, which detected threats at intersections. The Jeep was also packed with other driver-assistance technologies, including Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time, but improvements over the older model were anticipated.