2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 exhibited a traditional SUV styling that distinguished it from other small luxury crossovers. With its tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, it resembled a classic SUV more than a sports car masquerading as one. It carried familial styling cues from Volvo’s lineup, including “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and an oval grille, which positioned it coherently amongst its siblings. The gasoline models offered a white contrasting roof option, giving it a retro flair.

Distinguishing the electric model, the XC40 Recharge, were slight yet effective variations. It showcased a blanked-off grille, subtle "Recharge" badging, and unique alloy wheels. The standard 19-inch wheels could be upgraded to 20-inch options. A gloss black roof and mirror caps, along with a modified rear bumper sans exhaust tips, gave it a sleek look. The exclusive Sage Green Metallic color was a notable addition, and the charging port was placed where the fuel filler customarily resided.

Underneath, the XC40 was built on Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform, shared with the Polestar 2 electric car. This platform was designed to support both gasoline and electric powertrains seamlessly.

Inside, the XC40 boasted a minimalist yet premium interior. High-quality materials such as real metal trim adorned the dashboard, and the upholstery combined Nappa leather and Nubuck textile. The design elements, like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and harmonized air vents, melded into a cohesive, luxurious look.

Conversely, the Jeep Grand Cherokee retained an iconic style with its fourth-generation model, looking more appealing than ever. It blended rugged utility with upscale sophistication, standing on big wheels pushed to the corners under flared fenders. This design balance contributed significantly to its sustained popularity.

The Grand Cherokee lineup catered to diverse needs with trims ranging from the budget-friendly Laredo and Limited to the luxurious Overland and Summit, and the performance-focused SRT and Trackhawk. For off-road enthusiasts, the middle-range Trailhawk was specially designed.

Our test vehicle, the plush Summit trim, came equipped with a 5.7-liter V8 engine, 4WD, premium paint, the Platinum Series Group, and the Signature Leather-Wrapped Interior Package, totalling $68,185. The Platinum Series Group enhanced its appearance with body-colored accents and a platinum chrome finish.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee Summit featured premium leather, genuine wood, real aluminum, and simulated suede. The Indigo and Ski Gray color scheme provided a sharp, contrasting aesthetic. The thick-rimmed wood-and-leather steering wheel and partially digital instrumentation emphasized the vehicle’s luxurious feel. However, its interior design was showing signs of age, with outdated switchgear and non-flush panels betraying its need for a redesign.

For the 2021 Volvo XC40, performance was defined by a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The gasoline options both featured a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The FWD T4 variant delivered 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 boosted these numbers to 248 hp and 258 lb-ft.

The XC40 Recharge shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring one electric motor per axle for a combined output of 402 hp and 486 lb-ft, fed by a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack. Volvo claimed a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds for the Recharge, 6.1 seconds for the T5, and 8.1 seconds for the T4, all electronically limited to 112 mph. The Recharge was 0.1 seconds quicker to 60 mph than the Tesla Model Y Long Range and Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium, but trailed behind their performance variants.

The XC40 Recharge prioritized comfort and quiet over raw speed, and even on winter-ravaged roads, the ride quality remained excellent. It offered one-pedal driving via regenerative braking, with a traditional braking mode available for those unaccustomed to this feature. Uniquely for an electric vehicle, it had a 2,000-pound towing capacity.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee’s standard engine was a 3.6-liter V6 producing 295 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, capable of towing 6,200 pounds. It paired with a competent eight-speed automatic transmission and could power either the rear or all four wheels effectively.

For those seeking more power, the optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 provided 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, towing up to 7,200 pounds. This engine featured cylinder deactivation technology for better fuel efficiency, though it still managed only 17 mpg combined according to the EPA.

The Grand Cherokee’s Quadra-Trac II 4WD system, two-speed transfer case, hill-descent control, and Selec-Terrain traction management system with various settings made it highly versatile. The Summit trim's standard Quadra-Lift air suspension offered variable ground clearance, enhancing both on-road aerodynamics and off-road capability.

On daily drives, the Grand Cherokee Summit was quick, responsive, and relatively quiet, though the V8 guzzled fuel, and ride quality could be bouncy on uneven terrain. It had a tight turning radius and effective brakes, enhancing maneuverability and safety in various conditions.

The 2021 Volvo XC40’s passenger and cargo space remained consistent across both its gasoline and electric models. However, it was less spacious than competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E, offering limited legroom and a smaller cargo area. The Recharge model’s frunk was compact due to powertrain components taking up significant space.

The gasoline XC40 held its own against rivals like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1, but the segment's utility standards were generally low. Volvo compensated with clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the center console and a bag hook in the glovebox. The Harman Kardon system’s speakers were relocated to the dashboard, creating larger door bins. A wireless charging pad was optional, though second-row occupants lacked charging options.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit’s interior exuded luxury with quilted and perforated leather seats and wrapped interior panels. The Signature Leather-Wrapped Interior Package added a premium feel, though it wasn’t essential given its $4,995 price tag.

Both front seats featured eight-way power adjustment and were heated and ventilated, though climate control settings were embedded in the infotainment system, causing minor distraction. The rear seats provided comfort, albeit with limited legroom for taller adults. The optional rear-seat entertainment system added to a sense of claustrophobia.

Cargo-wise, the Grand Cherokee offered 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats, with practical storage bins around the spare tire. Its power liftgate was conveniently placed for easy access. Folding the rear seats unveiled a maximum cargo space of 68.3 cubic feet, less than expected for a midsize SUV.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge debuted the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, featuring Google Assistant and Google Maps integration. Android phone users could sync their Google accounts for a personalized experience. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity, with a 9-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

Recharge models offered OTA update capabilities for the infotainment system and other software-controlled vehicle functions. Without a start button, drivers could simply shift out of park with the key fob on their person. The Digital Key feature, already in the Polestar 2, might soon be available for the XC40.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee’s Uconnect 4C with Nav remained effective, promising a satisfying user experience. Its fast response to inputs, clear touchscreen graphics, and separate stereo controls made it user-friendly. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and Amazon Alexa integration.

SiriusXM services added value with six months of satellite radio, five years of Traffic Plus and Travel Link services, and one year of SiriusXM Guardian, which offered remote vehicle access and emergency calling. Voice recognition technology was reliable, handling various functions effectively.

The Grand Cherokee also featured a sophisticated Alpine premium sound system, with the Summit model boasting a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Despite its digital advancements, the Grand Cherokee maintained a simple, analog charm, likely to see a significant upgrade in the next-generation model.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 gasoline model received accolades for safety, including the “Top Safety Pick+” from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from NHTSA. These ratings didn’t extend to the XC40 Recharge due to structural differences caused by its battery pack and lack of an engine. Nonetheless, Volvo expected high safety performance from the Recharge, featuring a battery safety cage and redesigned front crash structure.

Standard safety features in the XC40 included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and more. Optional features offered advanced aids like traffic-sign recognition, reverse automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist system. The Recharge model’s latest sensor suite was scalable for future driver aids and performance improvements.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s safety ratings showed some weaknesses. While it achieved a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, the 4WD model saw a drop to four stars in 2WD versions due to rollover resistance ratings. The IIHS rated it "Marginal" in driver-side small-overlap frontal collisions and "Poor" for the front passenger, with "Poor" ratings for standard headlights.

Jeep’s Summit trim included essential safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. The cruise control system offered both traditional and adaptive modes, and lane-keeping assistance was easily toggled. Additional aids included a backup camera, parking sensors, and a ParkSense parking assist system.