2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Subaru Outback

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for the 2020 model year, retained a familiar and comfortable feel reminiscent of older Subaru models. The analog gauges, steering wheel design, and seat forms were consistent with previous iterations, though the interior saw a refresh, especially beyond the base trim. Higher trims featured an 11.6-inch portrait display, surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim, enhancing the cabin's modernity. The Onyx Edition XT, with its gray and black StarTex upholstery and lime green stitching, added a touch of flair. Externally, the Outback's gray cladding and smooth, balanced styling remained largely unchanged, maintaining its identity as a lifted wagon.

In contrast, 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 more expensive Wagoneer models, was a strong selling point. The Grand Cherokee L's design featured Jeep's signature seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and familiar lighting arrangements, ensuring it looked impressive across all trim levels. The Summit trim, tested with various luxury and tech packages, showcased quilted and perforated leather, real wood trim, and a host of advanced technologies, marking a significant improvement over the older model.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's base engine, a 2.5-liter flat-four, produced 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. However, this engine struggled with the Outback's weight, especially when loaded with passengers and cargo, resulting in sluggish and noisy performance. The XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, significantly improving acceleration and overall driving experience. The turbo engine, though slightly less fuel-efficient, provided a better balance of power and refinement. The Outback's handling was geared towards comfort, with its high ground clearance and advanced AWD system making it capable off-road.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup offered brisk acceleration but was loud when revved. The optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, available on higher trims, delivered 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, enhancing towing capacity to 7,200 pounds. The Grand Cherokee L's Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension and various off-road modes, including a Trail Rated version, ensured it could handle rough terrain. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, and the V6's performance fell short of expectations during testing.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted impressive ground clearance, surpassing many larger vehicles, and offered 76 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The interior provided ample headroom and legroom, with excellent outward visibility. Storage solutions were plentiful, though some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were limited to higher trims. The standout feature was the integrated roof rails and crossbars, which were both practical and innovative. The large 11.6-inch touchscreen, while complicating some controls, was generally responsive and user-friendly.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, especially in Summit trim, offered luxurious comfort with heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, and a four-zone climate control system. However, the dashboard vents were small, making it challenging to cool the cabin quickly. The second-row captain’s chairs provided ample legroom and comfort, and the third row was surprisingly accommodating. Cargo space was competitive, with 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 84.6 cubic feet with all seats folded. Practical storage for front-seat occupants was limited, but the second-row console was useful for passengers.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system, despite its dated appearance, included modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Subaru EyeSight system, standard across all trims, offered adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. However, the user interface was less intuitive, and the dual-screen setup on the base model was less cohesive.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the latest Uconnect 5 infotainment system, available with 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreens. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, and a natural voice-recognition system. The optional 19-speaker McIntosh audio system provided excellent sound quality. Additional tech features included a digital instrumentation panel, a digital rearview mirror, a night vision system, and a Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring system. The head-up display was also visible to drivers wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard driver’s knee and passenger seat-cushion airbags. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available on higher trims, and rear emergency braking was standard on select models. The Outback earned top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, with an overall five-star rating from the latter.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. Intersection Collision Assist, standard on Summit models, could detect threats at intersections and apply brakes if necessary. The Grand Cherokee L also offered Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist. As of the review, crash-test ratings were unavailable, but improvements over the older model were expected.