2021 Jeep Cherokee vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE had a mixed reception regarding its exterior design. While it featured an aggressive nose and a sloping, low hood, the design seemed to lose its appeal past the A-pillar, making it almost indistinguishable from its predecessors. The flat taillights and contoured rear helped mitigate its minivan-like tendencies, but it still lacked the pitch-perfect proportions seen in competitors like BMW, Audi, and Jaguar. The AMG trim added a sporty touch, but it still couldn't compete in looks with models like the BMW X5 M or Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

However, the GLE's interior was a different story. The 2021 model saw significant improvements, with a redesigned, streamlined, and cohesive look. The interior was a masterpiece of quality, layout, colors, and textures. The red and black interior of the tested model was both loud and luxurious, surpassing even Porsche and Audi in opulence. The twin arching grab handles, LED lighting, and a mix of wood, metal, leather, and suede made the interior a delight to touch and operate. Despite a few flimsy controls, the GLE exuded a sense of pampering, though it required high-end options to feel truly luxurious.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's styling had evolved since its debut, becoming more proportionate and appealing over time. The exterior look varied significantly with trim levels. The entry-level Latitude with 17-inch wheels and front-wheel drive appeared quite basic, while the 80th Anniversary Edition with 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding looked much more refined. Jeep's expertise in roof design was evident, with the Cherokee offering an optional panoramic sunroof that covered the entire top surface.

The Cherokee's best exterior feature was its distinctiveness in a crowded SUV market. It stood out and bore a striking resemblance to the larger Jeep Grand Cherokee, especially from the front. The Cherokee's design ensured it wouldn't get lost in a parking lot, making it a unique choice among compact crossovers.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE excelled as a multi-purpose vehicle, offering a complex suspension and engine setup. The base GLE 350 featured a coil-sprung setup for reliability and comfort, while the GLE 450 introduced self-leveling air springs with adaptive dampers. The AMG Ride Control+ and E-Active Body Control systems provided advanced handling capabilities, including the ability to lean into turns like a motorcyclist. The AMG GLE 53 Coupe featured an electric supercharger for instant throttle response, while the GLE 580 and AMG GLE 63 S offered powerful twin-turbo engines.

All GLE models, except the base GLE 350, were hybrids with a 48-volt battery system, providing additional horsepower and torque. The GLE 350 had a 255 hp engine, while the GLE 450 offered 362 hp. The AMG GLE 53 had 429 hp, the GLE 580 had 483 hp, and the AMG GLE 63 S boasted 603 hp. The GLE's driving experience was exceptional, with the ability to tow up to 7700 pounds and a ride quality that was both comfortable and controlled.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine options. The base 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine produced 180 hp, while the 3.2-liter V-6 offered 271 hp. The top-tier 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivered 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Despite these options, none of the engines provided outstanding acceleration, with 0-60 mph times around 7.2 to 7.4 seconds.

All Cherokee models came with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which had proven to be reliable and fuel-efficient. The Cherokee Trailhawk model excelled in off-road capability, thanks to features like Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control. The Cherokee was also available in front-wheel drive, making it a more affordable option for rental fleets and budget-conscious buyers.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE was a roomy two-row SUV with an optional third row, allowing seating for seven. The second-row seats had power controls for recline and fore-aft adjustments, and the third row was accessible via a button that folded the second-row seats. The GLE Coupe, however, was limited to five seats and had less cargo space, with 23 cubic feet behind the second row and 61 cubic feet with all rows folded. The standard GLE offered 34 cubic feet behind the second row and 75 cubic feet with all rows folded.

The GLE's usability was enhanced by the new MBUX infotainment system, which featured a single touchpad and a simplified interface. Seat controls on the doors, rocker switches for the suspension, and driving mode shortcuts on the steering wheel made the GLE user-friendly. However, the Coupe's rear doors and narrow openings made it less practical for rear passengers.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee filled a space between the smaller Renegade and the larger Grand Cherokee. It offered 26 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 55 cubic feet with the seats folded, which was less than competitors like the Mazda CX-5 and Ford Escape. The Cherokee provided about 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, making it competitive in its class.

The Cherokee's interior layout was simple and businesslike, with a clean design that focused on functionality. The quality of the interior varied with trim levels, with the Latitude featuring basic rubberized black plastic, while the Trailhawk offered suede seat inserts and contrasting stitching. The Latitude Lux trim added perforated Nappa leather upholstery for a more upscale appearance.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a 12-inch touchscreen with Interior Assistant, which could read hand gestures. The system allowed for easy control of various functions, including seat massage and navigation. The AMG models had a Track Pace app for virtual pit crew functions and GPS lap timing. The GLE also offered features like Seat Kinetics, perfume canisters, Energizing Comfort, heated armrests, and bolsters that inflated during steering.

The head-up display and instrument panel were highly customizable, with sharp and crisp displays. The ambient lighting had 64 colors and could cycle through animations. The navigation system projected the front camera feed with overlay arrows and street names. The GLE also supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a natural voice assistant that responded to the command "Mercedes." The semi-automated functionality included lane changes and speed adjustments for curves.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system, available with 7-inch and 8.4-inch touchscreens. The system was user-friendly, with easy access to climate controls and heated seats. The Cherokee supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Amazon Alexa integration. Remote start was also available, providing convenience in various climates.

The Uconnect system was consistent across Stellantis brands, offering a familiar and reliable interface for Cherokee buyers.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE, identical to the 2021 model, earned the Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for top ratings in six crash tests, headlights, and standard forward emergency braking. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not rated the GLE. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring and a driver attention monitor. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, evasive steering assist, front cross-traffic braking, and semi-automated control. The GLE also featured Pre-Safe Sound and Pre-Safe Impulse Side for enhanced safety.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee did not earn a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. It received top "Good" scores in crashworthiness categories and a G+ score for LATCH child seat anchors. However, its headlights received "Acceptable" and "Marginal" ratings. The NHTSA gave the Cherokee a four-star overall safety rating, with a slight demerit for front driver side crash protection.

Standard safety features included lane departure warning, lane keep assist, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control with stop and go was only available on the Limited and Trailhawk trims.