2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2021 Subaru Forester, despite a redesign in 2019, appeared somewhat dated in its styling, primarily because it carried forward much from its previous generation. Its most notable change was the taillights, which showcased a distinctive cross shape. Subaru seemingly adopted a "if it isn't broke, don't fix it" stance with the Forester, resulting in a vehicle maintaining its boxy and upright shape, an aesthetic appealing to many SUV shoppers.

The Base trim level of the Forester felt a bit plain with its 17-inch steel wheels, although 17-inch alloy wheels were available. Its design, however, retained a clean and unpretentious look compared to other compact crossovers. The Forester Sport model, like the test vehicle, introduced some flair with orange striping along the lower edges, roof rails, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels. This trim level’s Dark Blue Pearl color provided a striking contrast to the orange accents.

Structurally, the Forester rode on the Subaru Global Platform, shared with models like the Impreza, Crosstrek, Legacy, Outback, and the Ascent crossover. Its interior mirrored this utilitarian approach, focusing on durability over aesthetics, suitable for the rugged activities Subaru advertises, from school runs to kayaking trips. The Sport model incorporated splashes of orange trim and cross-stitching, while the Base, Premium, and Sport models featured cloth upholstery, and the Limited and Touring trims offered leather.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L marked a stark contrast. Unlike the existing Grand Cherokee, it was an extended version with a redesigned structure, adding a third-row seat and more cargo volume. Its appearance mirrored the high-end Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, even though it was more compact. Jeep’s design language was prominently displayed with its signature seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and familiar lighting arrangements.

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, excluding a $1,695 destination charge. The test vehicle in Summit trim featured luxurious touches like quilted and perforated leather seats, real wood trim, and a McIntosh premium audio system, reaching a price tag of $64,770. Despite some cost-related scrutiny on interior materials, the overall design and technology presented in the Grand Cherokee L’s interior marked a significant improvement over previous models.

Under the hood, the 2021 Subaru Forester housed a single powertrain: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine delivering 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This setup afforded the Forester a towing capacity of 1,500 pounds with standard Trailer Stability Assist. The Boxer engine’s lower center of gravity was a Subaru hallmark, albeit the absence of a turbocharged option which would have been welcomed for more robust performance, especially during highway merging or overtaking.

Driving the Forester, one would find the power sufficient for most needs but lacking in spirited thrust. The suspension leaned toward comfort but compromised on body control, resulting in noticeable bounce on uneven surfaces and significant body roll in corners. The Forester's all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, a staple for Subaru, came standard, offering features like X-Mode and Dual X-Mode (on Sport models) to enhance drive response on varied surfaces. This, combined with 8.7 inches of ground clearance, allowed for decent off-road performance, though it didn't match the prowess of the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk or the new Ford Bronco Sport.

Comparatively, every 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came with a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This model offered the flexibility of rear-wheel drive (RWD) or multiple four-wheel-drive (4WD) systems, boasting a maximum towing capacity of 6,200 pounds. The V6 engine, while capable, was noted for its loudness when pushed; however, the eight-speed automatic provided smooth shifts, though sometimes hesitated to downshift to save fuel.

An optional 5.7-liter V8 was available for Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve trims, delivering 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, increasing towing capacity to 7,200 pounds. However, this enhancement came at the cost of lower fuel economy at 17 mpg combined and an additional $3,295.

Driving the Grand Cherokee L, one could switch to Sport mode for better control, though the ride felt somewhat stiffer. Its Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension system facilitated varied ground clearance settings and optimized off-road capabilities. Standard settings offered 8.3 inches of ground clearance, while Off-Road modes raised it to 10.9 inches, providing impressive approach and departure angles. The system’s smooth performance in Auto mode and tight turning radius enhanced maneuverability. However, fuel consumption remained a concern, especially with the V6 averaging below EPA estimates during testing.

The 2021 Subaru Forester offered impressive interior space, benefitting from its tall, flat roofline, which allowed for generous headroom and legroom for all passengers. The spacious ambiance was further enhanced by abundant glass areas, providing excellent visibility and a bright cabin, though susceptible to quick heating under the sun.

Cargo capacity stood at 35.4 cubic feet with the rear seats up and expanded to 76.1 cubic feet with the 60/40 split-folding rear seats down. This was competitive, offering more space than the Honda CR-V or the 2022 Hyundai Tucson but less than vehicles like the Ford Escape and Nissan Rogue that featured a sliding second-row bench. Premium and Sport trims included optional power liftgates, standardizing them on Limited and Touring trims.

In terms of interior comfort, the Forester included adequate cupholders and a well-sized center console, though it lacked wireless charging and a standard power-adjustable driver’s seat on the Base trim. The straightforward layout featured large knobs for volume, tuning, and climate control, although the steering wheel’s numerous buttons could be confusing.

On the other hand, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L prioritized comfort and luxury. Summit trim levels boasted heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats with 12-way power adjustment alongside a heated steering wheel. The four-zone automatic climate control could unfortunately struggle with small dashboard vents, limiting effective cooling under intense conditions.

Standard second-row captain’s chairs (or an optional bench seat) presented ample legroom and comfort, with window sunshades to shield from harsh sunlight. The third-row was surprisingly spacious, accommodating all but the tallest adults comfortably.

Front-seat storage proved less practical, with focus shifting to the utility for second and third-row passengers. Cargo space behind the third row measured 17.2 cubic feet, extending to 46.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 84.6 cubic feet behind the front seats—a commendable volume for its class.

The Subaru Starlink infotainment system in the Forester featured a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, front-row USB ports, and a CD player. Sport models upgraded to an 8-inch screen and Harman Kardon audio system, while navigation and rear center console USB ports were standard on Limited and Touring trims. The user interface was praised for its intuitive design, though the system's slow boot-up time was noted.

Additionally, the Forester incorporated multiple screens for secondary information. The dash-mounted secondary screen and the instrument cluster screen displayed similar information, leading to redundancy and a somewhat overloaded display.

Jeep, meanwhile, integrated its latest Uconnect 5 system in the Grand Cherokee L, offering 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreens. The larger screen in the test vehicle provided a user-friendly interface, though it required some acclimation. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and connected services, including a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, enhanced the Grand Cherokee L’s tech suite.

The optional 19-speaker McIntosh audio system delivered outstanding sound quality, though its stylistic fit within the vehicle’s design was debatable. Advanced features included a digital instrumentation panel, digital rearview mirror, night vision system, and the Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring system. The head-up display remained effective even for drivers wearing polarized sunglasses.

Safety was a standout feature for the 2021 Subaru Forester, earning the highest “Top Safety Pick+” from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) with top scores in all crash tests. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded it a five-star overall rating. Subaru’s standard EyeSight system offered adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more, although the jerky lane-centering steering inputs were noted.

Blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking were optional. EyeSight’s adaptive cruise control and lane-centering functions performed well, albeit with some false alarms from lead-vehicle start alert.

For the Jeep Grand Cherokee L, the new Active Driving Assist provided a blend of adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance, though its steering felt somewhat artificial. Jeep promised an upgrade to a hands-free system for the 2022 model year. Summit trims included Intersection Collision Assist, which could detect cross-traffic at intersections to prevent collisions. The Grand Cherokee L also offered parking assist features.

Crash-test ratings for the Grand Cherokee L were pending during the review, but the newer structure was expected to significantly outperform the previous model.