2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L 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 interior of the GLE 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 test 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 some flimsy gear selector and turn signal stalks.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was a new addition to the lineup, distinct from the existing Grand Cherokee. It was an extended-length version of the upcoming 2022 Grand Cherokee, featuring 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. Its design was well-proportioned and instantly recognizable as a Jeep, thanks to its signature seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches.

The Grand Cherokee L was available in multiple trim levels, ranging from Laredo to Summit Reserve, with prices between $36,995 and $64,235. The Summit trim, which was tested, featured a luxurious interior with quilted and perforated leather, real wood trim, and advanced technology. However, some interior materials and fittings didn't quite match the high price tag. Despite this, the redesigned interior was a substantial improvement over the old model, offering a more modern and upscale feel.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE excelled as a multi-purpose vehicle, offering a range of advanced suspension and engine setups. The base GLE 350 featured a coil-sprung setup for reliability and comfort, while the GLE 450 introduced AIRMATIC self-leveling air springs. The AMG Ride Control+ and E-Active Body Control systems provided sport-tuned suspension and advanced anti-roll features, making the GLE handle like a smaller sedan despite its size. 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 V8 engines.

The GLE's hybrid system, available on all models except the base GLE 350, provided additional horsepower and torque, seamless auto stop-start functionality, and improved energy efficiency. However, fuel efficiency was not a strong point, with the AMG GLE 53 Coupe averaging 16 mpg. The GLE 450 returned slightly better figures at 21/26/23 mpg. The GLE 350 was the only rear-wheel-drive model, while all other trims featured 4Matic all-wheel drive. The GLE 450 had a turbo 3.0-liter inline-six engine with 362 hp, while the AMG GLE 53 boosted this to 429 hp. The GLE 580 and AMG GLE 63 S offered even more power, with 483 hp and 603 hp, respectively.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered rear-wheel drive or three different 4WD systems, with a maximum tow rating of 6,200 pounds. The optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, available on higher trims, generated 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, increasing towing capacity to 7,200 pounds but reducing fuel economy to 17 mpg combined.

The test vehicle featured the V6 engine and 4WD, providing brisk acceleration but loud engine noise when revved. The eight-speed automatic transmission was well-behaved but sometimes resisted downshifts to improve fuel economy. The Grand Cherokee L Summit 4WD averaged 17.8 mpg during testing. The Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension offered a smooth ride and controlled body motions, with additional off-road modes for various terrains. The Grand Cherokee L's stiffer structure contributed to its smooth ride and capable handling, making it easy to park and maneuver.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE was primarily a two-row SUV, with an optional third row for seating up to seven. The second-row seats offered power controls for recline and fore-aft adjustments, with easy access to the third row. The Coupe model, however, was limited to five seats, with less cargo capacity due to its sloping roofline. The GLE offered 34 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 75 cubic feet with all rows folded. The Coupe had 23 and 61 cubic feet, respectively. The new MBUX infotainment system improved usability, with a single touchpad and simplified interface.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L provided comfort with heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a four-zone automatic climate control system. The second-row captain's chairs offered plenty of legroom and comfort, with manual side window sunshades. The third row was spacious enough for adults, with large side windows for a great view. However, the front-seat storage space was limited. 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 all seats down.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a 12-inch touchscreen with Interior Assistant, allowing for gesture control and customizable shortcuts. The system included a touchpad, thumbpad controls, and a simplified interface with search bars and larger type. The AMG models had a Track Pace app for virtual pit crew and GPS lap timing. The GLE also offered Seat Kinetics, heated armrests, and a mood-yoga-zen function called Energizing Comfort. The head-up display and instrument panel were highly customizable, with sharp and crisp displays. The ambient lighting had 64 colors, and the navigation system projected front camera feed with overlay arrows and street names. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a natural voice assistant.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L employed the 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 system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and connected services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The natural voice-recognition system worked well, though it had some quirks. The optional 19-speaker McIntosh audio system provided excellent sound quality. 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 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE, identical to the 2021 model, earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It scored top ratings in six crash tests, for headlights, and for its standard forward emergency braking. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 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 in a crash.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, a hands-on driving-assistance system combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. The system worked well but felt artificial in the driver's hands. Jeep planned to upgrade it to a hands-free system for the 2022 model year. The Grand Cherokee L also featured Intersection Collision Assist, which could detect threats at intersections and apply brakes if necessary. Additional driver aids included Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of the review, but the new model was expected to improve upon the old Grand Cherokee's ratings.