2021 Jeep Cherokee vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, fitting well within the Volvo family thanks to features like “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a white contrasting roof for a retro look. The XC40 Recharge, the electric variant, was distinguished by a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and model-specific alloy wheels. It also featured a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a different rear bumper, and a unique Sage Green Metallic color. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery, creating a coherent and high-quality design.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's styling had become more accepted over time, though the short grille and swept-back headlights remained polarizing. The exterior appearance varied significantly with trim levels, from the basic Latitude with 17-inch wheels to the more refined 80th Anniversary Edition with 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding. The Cherokee stood out in parking lots, resembling the larger Grand Cherokee from the front. It also offered an optional panoramic sunroof, enhancing its appeal. The interior was simple and businesslike, with higher trims like the Trailhawk and Latitude Lux offering more upscale materials and finishes.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 featured a three-tiered powertrain lineup. The base FWD T4 had a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 offered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The electric XC40 Recharge shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, boasting 402 hp and 486 lb-ft from dual electric motors and a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The Recharge accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, compared to 6.1 seconds for the T5 and 8.1 seconds for the T4. All versions were electronically limited to 112 mph. The Recharge emphasized luxury and comfort, with excellent ride quality and one-pedal driving capability. It also had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine options. The base 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine produced 180 horsepower, while the 3.2-liter V-6 delivered 271 hp. The top-tier 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine generated 270 hp and 295 pound-feet of torque. Acceleration was modest, with the V6 and turbo-four achieving zero to 60 mph in about 7.2 and 7.4 seconds, respectively. All engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Cherokee Trailhawk excelled off-road, thanks to features like Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control. However, the Cherokee was also available in FWD, making it more affordable for rental fleets and budget-conscious buyers.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered no difference in passenger or cargo space between the Recharge and gasoline models. However, it had less legroom and headroom compared to competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The cargo area was also smaller, and the frunk was limited in size. Clever storage solutions included a removable trash bin, a bag hook in the glovebox, and extra-large door bins due to relocated speakers. A wireless charging pad was optional, but second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee filled a niche between the smaller Renegade and larger Grand Cherokee, competing with compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. It offered 26 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 55 cubic feet with them folded, which was less than competitors. Passenger volume was about 102 cubic feet, making it competitive in that metric. The interior was simple and functional, with higher trims offering more upscale materials. The Latitude Lux featured perforated Nappa leather upholstery, while the Trailhawk had suede seat inserts and contrasting stitching.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, with Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps built-in. It also supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. The system included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Recharge models had OTA update capability and lacked a start button, using a key fob for entry and operation. The gasoline models continued with the previous infotainment system.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system, available with a 7-inch touchscreen on lower trims and an 8.4-inch touchscreen on higher trims. It supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Amazon Alexa integration. The system was user-friendly, with easy access to climate controls and minimal latency. Remote start was available, adding convenience in extreme weather conditions.

The gasoline 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Recharge model had additional sensors and software for future advanced driver aids.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee did not earn a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS but received top “Good” scores in crashworthiness categories. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included lane departure warning, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was only available on higher trims.