2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Kia Sportage

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured a distinctive design with its tiger-nose grille and bulbous headlights, which some might have described as frog-like. Kia, however, marketed the Sportage’s styling as “Euro-focused.” This two-row crossover SUV had a relatively short wheelbase and short overhangs, making it ideal for city driving. The headlights carried over from the 2020 model, and the Sportage could be equipped with 17-, 18-, or 19-inch wheels. Inside, an 8-inch touchscreen display served as a stylish centerpiece, flanked by air vents and physical buttons and knobs for tuning and volume. The interior, while not the most tech-forward, was still a pleasant place to sit.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was an extended-length version of the upcoming redesigned 2022 Grand Cherokee, featuring a third-row seat and more cargo volume. Its styling was instantly recognizable as a Jeep, with a signature seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and familiar lighting arrangements. The Grand Cherokee L was available in multiple trims, including Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve, with prices ranging from $36,995 to $64,235. The Summit trim, which we tested, included features like four-wheel drive, metallic paint, the Advanced Pro Tech Group, the Luxury Tech Group, and a 19-speaker McIntosh premium audio system, bringing the total price to $64,770. The interior featured quilted and perforated leather, real wood trim, and a substantial amount of technology, representing a significant improvement over the old model.

The 2021 Kia Sportage was available in LX, EX, or SX Turbo trims with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The LX and EX trims were powered by a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The SX Turbo trim featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine, delivering 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. All Sportages had a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy for the FWD Sportages with the 2.4-liter engine was 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined, while AWD models achieved 21/25/23. The turbocharged models had slightly lower fuel economy, with FWD versions at 20/28/23 and AWD versions at 19/24/21. The Sportage’s McPherson-strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension provided a smooth ride, though the steering and tire grip left something to be desired.

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 had a maximum tow rating of 6,200 pounds and an EPA fuel economy rating of 21 mpg combined. An optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, available only with Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve trims and 4WD, generated 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, increasing the tow rating to 7,200 pounds but reducing fuel economy to 17 mpg combined. Our test vehicle had the V6 engine and 4WD, offering brisk acceleration but loud revving. The eight-speed automatic transmission was well-behaved, though it sometimes resisted downshifts in Auto mode to improve fuel economy. The Grand Cherokee L averaged 17.8 mpg in our testing. The Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension provided a smooth ride, and the vehicle’s stiffer structure contributed to a solid feel. The Grand Cherokee L also featured various off-road modes and a Quadra-Drive II 4WD system with an electronic locking differential and low-range transfer case setting.

The 2021 Kia Sportage, while on the smaller side of the compact crossover segment, offered good interior space for the driver and passengers. The SX Turbo trim included a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and 8-way power adjustment for the passenger, along with heated and ventilated seats. Rear legroom and headroom were adequate, but cargo space was limited, with 30.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 60.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, especially in Summit trim, provided a high level of comfort with heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats with 12-way power adjustment, a heated steering wheel, and a four-zone automatic climate control system. However, the dashboard vents were too small, making it difficult to cool the cabin quickly. The second-row captain’s chairs offered plenty of legroom and comfort, with manual side window sunshades. The third row was comfortable for all but the tallest adults, with large side windows providing a great view. Cargo space behind the third row was 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 Sportage featured an 8-inch touchscreen interface with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB ports as standard equipment. Most trims also included Kia’s UVO Link connected services. The SX Turbo trim added wireless charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. The technology was user-friendly, with logical menus, physical buttons, and handy knobs.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L employed the latest Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering faster response times and an improved user experience. Two touchscreen sizes were available: 8.4-inch and 10.1-inch with navigation. Our test vehicle had the larger screen, which integrated well with the dashboard. Features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and connected services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system also offered a natural voice-recognition system and an optional 19-speaker McIntosh high-end audio system. Additional technology 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 Sportage was strong in safety, with standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver-monitoring system. The SX Turbo trim added adaptive cruise control. The Sportage earned Top Safety Pick status from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and performed well in crash tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

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. The system worked well but felt artificial in the driver’s hands. The Grand Cherokee L also featured Intersection Collision Assist, which could detect threats at intersections and apply the brakes if necessary. Additional safety features included Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist. As of this review, crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the new model was expected to improve upon the old Grand Cherokee’s ratings.