2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Nissan Armada

The 2021 Nissan Armada underwent a significant facelift, aligning its exterior with Nissan's new signature design. Despite these updates, the Armada retained its traditional robust and athletic body styling. The SUV featured a new grille, front fenders, bumpers, and LED lights, giving it a modern look akin to the Nissan Kicks, Rogue, and Pathfinder. The Armada was available in S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with the Midnight Edition Package exclusive to the SL. The Platinum trim, tested in prototype form, showcased body-color over fenders, dark-painted roof rails, and an acoustic windshield. Depending on the trim, the Armada rode on 18-, 20-, or 22-inch wheels, all aluminum alloy with all-season tires. The SUV's new logo was prominently displayed on various parts, including the grille and wheel caps. Despite these updates, the Armada's interior remained somewhat dated, with design choices that detracted from its overall aesthetic.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, a new seven-passenger model, was an extended version of the upcoming 2022 Grand Cherokee. Its styling, reminiscent of the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, was a strong selling point. The Grand Cherokee L was available in Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve trims, with prices ranging from $36,995 to $64,235. The Summit trim, tested with 4WD, featured metallic paint, advanced tech packages, and a 19-speaker McIntosh audio system. While some interior materials didn't match the high price, the Summit's quilted leather and real wood trim were appealing. The redesigned interior marked a significant improvement over the previous model, offering a blend of luxury and technology.

The 2021 Nissan Armada was powered by a 5.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque with premium fuel. Paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, the Armada offered rear-wheel drive as standard, with optional four-wheel drive. Despite its weight, the Armada was a capable off-roader, featuring a skid plate, double-wishbone suspension, and Hitachi twin-tube shock absorbers. Its ground clearance varied between 9.1 and 9.2 inches, depending on the trim. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with RWD models achieving 14 mpg city and 19 mpg highway, while 4WD models managed 13 mpg city and 18 mpg highway. The Armada excelled in towing, with a best-in-class capacity of 8,500 pounds.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered rear-wheel drive or three different 4WD systems. The V6 had a maximum tow rating of 6,200 pounds and an EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined. An optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, available on higher trims, increased power to 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity of 7,200 pounds. However, this upgrade reduced fuel economy to 17 mpg combined. The Grand Cherokee L's Quadra-Lift air suspension and Selec-Terrain off-road modes enhanced its off-road capabilities, while its stiffer structure and variable-ratio steering improved on-road handling.

The 2021 Nissan Armada offered practicality and functionality for families, with standard running boards and in-cabin handles for easy access. Its broad interior featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen, though some controls were out of reach. The first and second rows provided comfortable seating, with power-adjustable front seats and optional captain's chairs in higher trims. The third row was less comfortable for adults, and cargo space was limited, with 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row and 95.4 cubic feet with all seats folded. The high load floor made loading difficult, and small-item storage was limited, though the center console offered ample space.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L prioritized comfort, with Summit trim offering heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, a heated steering wheel, and four-zone climate control. However, the dashboard vents were small, affecting cooling efficiency. The second row featured standard captain's chairs with ample legroom, and the third row was comfortable for most adults. Cargo space measured 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row and 84.6 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Grand Cherokee L lacked practical front-seat storage but offered a versatile second-row console.

The 2021 Nissan Armada featured a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, the largest in its class, with navigation, satellite radio, Bluetooth, USB ports, and wireless Apple CarPlay. A wireless charging pad, 13-speaker Bose audio system, and rearview camera mirror were available. The Armada Platinum included these features as standard. The analog tachometer and speedometer were functional but lacked sophistication.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L employed the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering faster response and improved user experience. Available with 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreens, it included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system featured a natural voice-recognition system and optional 19-speaker McIntosh audio system. Additional tech included a digital instrumentation panel, digital rearview mirror, night vision system, and Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring.

The 2021 Nissan Armada came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and rear automatic braking. Additional safety features included adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning. However, advanced driving assist technologies like ProPilot Assist were not available. The NHTSA gave the Armada a three-star rollover rating.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. While effective, the system felt artificial. Intersection Collision Assist, standard on Summit models, detected threats at intersections. The Grand Cherokee L offered a comprehensive suite of driving assistance and collision avoidance technologies, including Park Assist. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of review.