2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured clean lines and balanced proportions, which some might have found boring, but it offered a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic. This design was likely to age well. The Tiguan was large for its class, nearly as big inside as a Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento, thanks to a long-wheelbase version that Volkswagen introduced to correct the size issues of the first-generation model.

Inside, the Tiguan provided a roomy and accommodating interior with plenty of space for four people, and it could carry five if necessary. An optional small third-row seat expanded passenger capacity to seven, though at least three of those passengers needed to be children. The interior combined modern geometric forms with a no-nonsense control layout, though the location of the engine start button was unusual. The cabin featured shiny detailing, digital instrumentation, and a flush touchscreen display, but it had too much hard plastic to be mistaken for an Audi. The Tiguan was available in S, SE, and SEL trims, with sporty R-Line variants, and pricing ranged from $25,245 to $39,095, excluding the $1,195 destination charge. The test vehicle was an SEL trim with 4Motion AWD, priced at $35,040.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was an extended-length version of the upcoming redesigned 2022 Grand Cherokee, equipped with a third-row seat and more cargo volume. Its styling alone was expected to drive sales, especially after the arrival of the all-new Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models, as the Grand Cherokee L resembled a smaller version of these more expensive SUVs. The Grand Cherokee L featured Jeep's signature seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and familiar lighting arrangements, making it instantly recognizable as a Jeep.

Jeep offered the Grand Cherokee L in Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve trims, with pricing ranging from $36,995 to $64,235, excluding the $1,695 destination charge. The test vehicle was a Summit trim with 4WD, metallic paint, the Advanced Pro Tech Group, the Luxury Tech Group, and a 19-speaker McIntosh premium audio system, priced at $64,770. While some interior materials and fittings didn't meet the high price's scrutiny, the Summit's quilted and perforated leather, real wood trim, and loaded technology represented a substantial improvement over the old model.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 184 horsepower at 4,360 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at a low 1,600 rpm. An eight-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels by default, with the 4Motion AWD system available as a $1,400 option on most models and standard on the SEL Premium R-Line. The powertrain was adequate but suffered from turbocharger lag, making the engine feel breathless during passing or freeway entry. The Tiguan's nearly 4,000-pound curb weight contributed to this perception of lethargy.

The EPA rated the 2021 Tiguan at 25 mpg combined with FWD and 24 mpg with AWD. During testing, the Tiguan AWD averaged 22.6 mpg. Despite the powertrain's shortcomings, the Tiguan provided a pleasurable driving experience with light but responsive steering, a compliant ride, refined braking, and nimble handling. However, it struggled over sharper speed bumps and railroad tracks, and the tires gave up grip early in corners. The Tiguan was quiet and composed on the highway, making long road trips more enjoyable.

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 and RWD or one of three 4WD systems. The maximum tow rating was 6,200 pounds, and the EPA rated the V6 at 21 mpg combined. An optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, available only with Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve trims and 4WD, generated 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, increasing towing capacity to 7,200 pounds but reducing fuel economy to 17 mpg combined. The V8 added $3,295 to the price of a 4WD Grand Cherokee L.

The test vehicle had the V6 engine and 4WD, offering brisk acceleration but loud when revved. The eight-speed automatic transmission was well-behaved but sometimes resisted downshifts in Auto mode to improve fuel economy. The Grand Cherokee L Summit 4WD averaged 17.8 mpg during testing. The Jeep offered a Sport driving mode and additional Selec-Terrain off-road modes, with the Summit's Quadra-Drive II 4WD system including an electronic locking differential and a low-range transfer case setting. The Quadra-Lift suspension provided up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance and 24 inches of water fording capability. The Grand Cherokee L demonstrated capable handling, a smooth ride, and a secure on-center steering feel on the highway.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort with large doors, tall seating hip points, and a wide range of front seat adjustments. The perforated V-Tex leatherette upholstery and dual-zone climate control system added to the comfort. The back seat offered excellent occupant support, generous legroom, and foot space, with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The Tiguan's 40/20/40-split folding rear seat allowed for carrying long items and four passengers simultaneously. Cargo volume ranged from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, depending on the presence of the third-row seat, with a maximum capacity of 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L provided comfort with heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats with 12-way power adjustment, a heated steering wheel, and a four-zone automatic climate control system. However, the dashboard vents were too small, making it difficult to cool the cabin quickly. The second-row captain's chairs offered plenty of legroom and comfort, with manual side window sunshades. The third row was comfortable for all but the tallest adults, with large side windows for a great view. The Grand Cherokee L lacked practical storage space for front-seat occupants but had a useful storage console for second-row passengers. Cargo space measured 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.6 cubic feet behind the front seats.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the next-generation Modular Infotainment Toolkit (MIB) platform called MIB3, available starting with the SE trim. MIB3 included an 8-inch touchscreen, faster processing, and an expanded offering of features and services, such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi for up to four devices, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and Car-Net connected services. The SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims featured Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation. However, the voice recognition technology and standard six-speaker sound system had some shortcomings.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L employed the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering faster response and an improved user experience. Two touchscreen sizes were available: 8.4-inch and 10.1-inch with navigation. The test vehicle had the larger screen, which had some user-experience quirks but was easy to acclimate to. Uconnect 5 included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and connected services. The test vehicle also had the optional 19-speaker McIntosh high-end audio system, which sounded terrific but had a logo that didn't fit the interior's vibe. The Grand Cherokee L offered a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel, a digital rearview mirror, a thermal-imaging night vision system, and a Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring system.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came equipped with the IQ Drive collection of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Starting with SE trim, the Tiguan had adaptive cruise control, while the SEL added lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist. The SEL Premium R-Line featured automatic high-beam headlights and front and rear parking sensors. The Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims, but the NHTSA had not published complete crash-test results.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, a hands-on driving-assistance system combining adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-centering assistance. The system worked well but felt artificial in the driver's hands. The Grand Cherokee L also featured Intersection Collision Assist, which could detect threats from either side at intersections and apply the brakes if necessary. The Jeep offered a complete package of driving assistance and collision avoidance technologies, including Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the new model was expected to improve upon the old Grand Cherokee's flaws.