2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

For the 2021 Toyota RAV4, Toyota had known that the allure of crossovers often stemmed from striking styling. They crafted the RAV4 with an exterior reflective of traditional SUVs, featuring boxy fender flares, chiseled taillights, and a stern front-end. This rugged and aggressive appearance stood in stark contrast to earlier generations of the RAV4 and certain other compact crossovers on the market. Although its look proclaimed toughness, the underlying mechanics remained rather conventional, rooted in the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform used across other models like the Camry and Sienna.

To enhance its rugged aesthetic, Toyota offered variations like the RAV4 Adventure with its Ice Edge roof and orange accents, and the TRD Off-Road which came with matte black 18-inch wheels and LED fog lights among other things. The interior kept up with this theme, including large rubberized controls that provided both functionality and distinctive style. Material quality varied, not always aligning with the high prices of top trims. The TRD Off-Road model, for example, featured durable SofTex upholstery instead of leather, which was unavailable even on the highest trim level.

Conversely, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L set itself apart by offering a new, extended-length model in contrast to the outgoing two-row version. Aimed to mimic the upcoming Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, this seven-passenger SUV was visually striking, blending the classic Jeep design elements like its seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches with an upscale look.

Trim options for the Grand Cherokee L spanned from the base Laredo to the high-end Summit Reserve, ranging in price from $36,995 to $64,235, with a destination charge of $1,695. The Summit trim version boasted impressive features like quilted leather, real wood trim, and extensive technological upgrades though some interior materials lagged behind the premium pricing. Overall, the Grand Cherokee L's revamped interior marked a significant improvement over its predecessor, blending luxury and practical design.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 featured a "Dynamic Force" 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, offering 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, all managed via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive as an option. Notable for its 40% thermal efficiency—which Toyota typically saw in racing engines—the engine loved to rev, reaching peak power at 6,600 rpm and redlining at 6,750 rpm. However, the transmission often hesitated, marring the driving experience with delayed gear shifts.

Despite a responsive steering system, the lack of tactile feedback lent a videogame-like feel to driving. The "Sport" mode merely added steering weight without enhancing the drive significantly. On highways, the RAV4 shined with low noise levels and a smooth suspension, but its off-road-focused models like the Adventure and TRD Off-Road offered torque-vectoring axles, enhanced ground clearance, all-terrain tires, and a respectable towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L provided a robust performance range starting with a 3.6-liter V6 engine delivering 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This model was available in rear-wheel-drive or with three different four-wheel-drive systems, each featuring fuel-efficient front-axle disconnect technology. This base engine offered a maximum towing capacity of 6,200 pounds, achieving an EPA estimate of 21 mpg combined.

For those seeking more power, a 5.7-liter V8 was available on higher trims, boasting 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, elevating towing capacity to 7,200 pounds, though at a cost to fuel economy (17 mpg combined) and price ($3,295 premium). The V6 engine, albeit loud under heavy acceleration, provided brisk performance, while the eight-speed transmission aimed for fuel efficiency sometimes felt reluctant.

The Jeep's Quadra-Lift suspension in its Off-Road settings provided up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance, capable of water fording 24 inches deep. Selec-Terrain settings catered to varying conditions including Snow and Mud. Though it felt soft in Auto mode, the air suspension excelled in controlling body motions for a balanced ride and solid handling, particularly on uneven surfaces.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 offered ample headroom due to its tall, upright design along with commendable outward visibility. The front seats stood out for their comfort and form-fitting design, but the firm, flat rear seats left something to be desired for long journeys. While the rear seats were fixed unlike some competitors’ slidable options, cargo space was relatively generous at 37.6 cubic feet with the seats up.

Incorporating large, easy-to-use controls suited even for gloved hands, the RAV4’s interior storage was adequate though not extensive. It did lack the largeness in cupholders and some practical compartments akin to old-school SUVs it sought to stylize.

Conversely, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit excelled in comfort thanks to its luxurious features, including massaging front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a four-zone climate control system, although the dashboard vents seemed inadequate for quick cooling on hot days. The Grand Cherokee L provided flexible seating with options for captain’s chairs or a bench in the second row, and easy third-row access even with child safety seats installed, making it family-friendly.

Practical storage for front-seat occupants was somewhat lacking, but second- and third-row passengers benefited from a versatile center console. Cargo capacity also shone, offering 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 46.9 cubic feet with the seats folded, and a maximum of 84.6 cubic feet with all seats down, surpassing the RAV4's cargo capacity and providing ample space for passengers and gear.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 came equipped with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM radio. A 7-inch touchscreen was standard on most trims, while higher trims got 8-inch or even 9-inch screens depending on the model. Five USB ports were distributed between the two rows, and a JBL premium audio system was an available option.

Toyota's infotainment system was noted for its simplicity and user-friendliness, with easy-to-reach shortcut buttons and a well-placed screen, though it lacked the flair of competitors. Features like a head-up display were reserved for the RAV4 Prime, not available on the gasoline version.

Jeep’s Grand Cherokee L utilized the advanced Uconnect 5 system, boasting faster response times and improved user interface. Available with either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen, the latter of which filled the dashboard seamlessly, the system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Notable was the natural voice-recognition feature dubbed “Hey Jeep,” which effectively handled commands.

A high-end 19-speaker McIntosh audio system featured prominently, providing rich sound quality with a strong bass. Jeep also offered a range of tech upgrades including a digital rearview mirror, thermal-imaging night vision, and Fam Cam for monitoring rear seats. Importantly, the HUD remained visible even with polarized sunglasses, ensuring critical driving information was always accessible.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 earned a “Top Safety Pick” from the IIHS, with top scores across crash tests. However, it fell short of the “Top Safety Pick+” designation due to inconsistent headlight performance. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating, with robust results in side crash tests, though slightly lower scores in frontal and rollover evaluations.

Standard safety features included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and lane-tracing assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and park assist, with a 360-degree camera system available as an option.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced an advanced safety suite, with Active Driving Assist—a hands-on system that combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering—designed to alleviate the strain of long drives. Intersection Collision Assist was standard on Summit models, offering additional protection when navigating intersections. Other available features included Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist.

Although crash test ratings were unavailable at the time, the upgraded structure and engineering of the Grand Cherokee L promised significant safety improvements.