2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE was a vehicle that, while not particularly striking in its exterior design, offered a refined and luxurious interior. The GLE's exterior design seemed to lack the cohesive elegance found in some of its competitors, such as the BMW X5 or the Volvo XC90. Despite its aggressive front end, the design seemed to lose its momentum past the A-pillar, resulting in a look that was somewhat reminiscent of its predecessors. However, the interior of the GLE was a different story. It was a masterpiece of quality and design, featuring a bold red and black color scheme and a variety of high-end materials like wood, metal, and leather. The interior was both visually and tactilely pleasing, although some elements, like the gear selector, felt less robust. Overall, the GLE's interior exuded a sense of luxury and comfort, though it required a significant investment in options to fully realize its potential.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee maintained a timeless and rugged design that continued to appeal to consumers even after a decade on the market. Its exterior was a balanced blend of utility and sophistication, with large wheels and flared fenders contributing to its classic SUV appearance. The Grand Cherokee's design was a significant factor in its ongoing success, as it managed to straddle the line between mainstream, luxury, and performance SUV categories. The lineup offered a range of trims, from the affordable Laredo to the plush Summit, each catering to different consumer needs. The Summit trim, in particular, featured premium materials like leather, wood, and aluminum, creating a luxurious cabin environment. However, the interior design was beginning to show its age, with outdated switchgear and some components feeling like afterthoughts. Despite these drawbacks, the Grand Cherokee's design remained a strong selling point.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE excelled in performance, offering a range of engine options and advanced suspension systems. The base GLE 350 featured a 255-horsepower engine with rear-wheel drive, while the GLE 450 offered a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine producing 362 horsepower. The AMG GLE 53 took performance up a notch with 429 horsepower, thanks to an electric supercharger. The GLE 580 and AMG GLE 63 S boasted even more power, with 483 and 603 horsepower, respectively. The GLE's air suspension systems, including the advanced E-Active Body Control, provided exceptional ride quality and handling, allowing the vehicle to lean into turns like a motorcyclist. Despite its size, the GLE handled like a smaller sedan and could tow up to 7,700 pounds. However, fuel efficiency was not its strong suit, with the AMG GLE 53 averaging 16 mpg.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine with 295 horsepower, providing ample power for most driving situations. For those seeking more performance, the optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 delivered 360 horsepower and a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,200 pounds. The V8 also featured cylinder deactivation technology to improve fuel efficiency, though it still averaged only 17 mpg. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system and Quadra-Lift air suspension provided excellent off-road capabilities, with adjustable ride heights and terrain management settings. The Summit trim offered a comfortable and responsive driving experience, though the V8's fuel consumption and occasional bounciness on uneven surfaces were drawbacks. The Grand Cherokee's tight turning radius and effective brakes added to its practicality, making it a versatile choice for both city and off-road driving.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a spacious interior, with most models configured as two-row SUVs. An optional third row allowed seating for seven, with power-adjustable second-row seats for added comfort. The GLE Coupe, however, was limited to five passengers and had less cargo space due to its sloping roofline. Cargo capacity in the standard GLE was 34 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 75 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Coupe offered 23 and 61 cubic feet, respectively. The GLE's usability was enhanced by the MBUX infotainment system, which replaced the previous clunky interface with a more intuitive touchpad and simplified controls. Despite some fussy thumbpads on the steering wheel, the GLE's interior was user-friendly and luxurious.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured a well-appointed interior with supportive seats and a heated steering wheel. The Signature Leather-Wrapped Interior Package added a touch of luxury, though it was an expensive option. Both front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, with controls integrated into the Uconnect infotainment system. The rear seat provided comfort, though legroom was somewhat limited for taller passengers. The optional rear-seat entertainment system added to the sense of claustrophobia, but large windows and a panoramic sunroof helped alleviate this feeling. Cargo space was 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 68.3 cubic feet with the second row folded. The Grand Cherokee's interior storage was adequate, though the rear-seat entertainment system reduced available space in the center console.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE was equipped with a 12-inch touchscreen display featuring Interior Assistant, which responded to hand gestures. The system allowed for easy control of various functions, such as seat massage and navigation, with search bars and larger type for improved usability. The AMG models included a Track Pace app for tracking lap times and performance. The GLE also offered a range of comfort features, including heated armrests, mood lighting, and a natural voice assistant. The head-up display and instrument panel were customizable, with sharp graphics and ambient lighting options. The GLE's semi-automated functionality included lane-changing and curve-slowing capabilities, making it a technologically advanced vehicle.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system, which provided a user-friendly experience with fast response times and clear graphics. The system included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and access to a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Grand Cherokee also offered a Jeep Skill for Amazon Alexa, allowing remote vehicle control. SiriusXM services were included, with free trials for satellite radio, Traffic Plus, and Travel Link. The voice recognition technology worked well, allowing control of various features through voice commands. The Summit trim featured a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, providing excellent sound quality. While the Grand Cherokee's technology was not as advanced as the GLE's, it offered essential features and a straightforward user experience.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE received the Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, with top scores in six crash tests and for its standard forward emergency braking. The GLE also offered a range of optional safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and 360-degree cameras. The Pre-Safe Sound system played a "pink noise" to reduce hearing damage in a crash, while the Pre-Safe Impulse Side system inflated seat bolsters to protect occupants in a side impact.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee had mixed safety ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for 4WD models. However, it received lower ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in small-overlap frontal-impact tests. The Grand Cherokee offered a range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Summit trim included the ProTech II Package, which provided comprehensive safety features to prevent accidents.