2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2021 Volvo XC60

The 2021 Volvo XC60, though no longer purely Swedish, had a rich history of ownership changes that ultimately led to its rebirth under Geely Holding Group. This transition allowed Volvo to innovate and create a near-luxury lineup of cars and crossover SUVs, known for their safety and elegance. The XC60, positioned between the compact XC40 and the larger XC90, was built on Volvo’s SPA platform, sharing its architecture with other 60-series and 90-series vehicles. Its design featured a tailored crossover look with short overhangs, an upright grille with the iconic iron mark logo, and Thor’s hammer-shaped LED daytime running lights. The interior boasted Scandinavian style with clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene atmosphere, highlighted by a 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen and elegant HVAC vents.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, a new seven-passenger model, was an extended version of the upcoming redesigned 2022 Grand Cherokee. Its styling, reminiscent of the more expensive Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models, was instantly recognizable as a Jeep with its seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches. Available in multiple trim levels, the Grand Cherokee L offered a range of prices and features, with the Summit trim providing a luxurious experience. The interior featured quilted and perforated leather, real wood trim, and advanced technology, though some materials did not meet the high expectations set by its price. Overall, the redesigned interior represented a significant improvement over the old model.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, all based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 models, available with FWD or AWD, produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 models, with AWD only, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque thanks to a turbocharger and supercharger. The T8 models, plug-in hybrids, combined an 87-hp electric motor with the gasoline engine for a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, while the T8 Polestar Engineered variant increased output to 415 hp. The XC60 T8 PHEV could drive up to 19 miles on electric power alone and offered a smooth, quiet ride with excellent handling. Fuel economy ranged from 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway for the T5 FWD to 27 mpg combined for the T8 PHEV, with a remarkable 57 MPGe in electric-only mode.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and RWD or one of three 4WD systems. The V6 offered brisk acceleration but was loud when revved, and the transmission sometimes resisted downshifts to improve fuel economy. An optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, available only with 4WD on higher trims, generated 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, increasing towing capacity to 7,200 pounds but reducing fuel economy to 17 mpg combined. The Grand Cherokee L featured a Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension with multiple driving modes, including off-road settings, and provided a smooth ride with capable handling. However, fuel economy in real-world testing fell short of expectations.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 excelled in providing comfort and functionality. Its front seats were highly adjustable and heated, making them ideal for cold weather. The heating system, including the rear glass heater and windshield defroster, performed exceptionally well in sub-freezing temperatures. The cabin offered smart storage solutions and intuitive controls, with 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 63.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The XC60 was also rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, especially in Summit trim, offered 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 provided ample legroom and comfort, with manual side window sunshades for added convenience. The third row was surprisingly comfortable for adults, and the Grand Cherokee L offered practical storage solutions for 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 with both rear rows folded.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which used a tablet-style touchpad interface. While it could be intuitive for frequent iPad users, it had a learning curve and could be distracting while driving. The system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system in the test vehicle was exceptional. Volvo’s On Call app added vehicle-specific functionality, such as remote locking and starting.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L employed the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering faster response times and an improved user experience. Available with 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreens, the system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and connected services. The test vehicle featured a 19-speaker McIntosh audio system, which sounded terrific but had a logo that didn’t fit the interior’s vibe. Additional technology included a digital instrumentation panel, a digital rearview mirror, a night vision system, and a Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring system.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was a testament to Volvo’s commitment to safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA for the T5/T5 AWD and T6 AWD models. Standard safety features included LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, collision avoidance, and various mitigation systems. Volvo’s semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system was available, integrating adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The XC60 was also governed to a top speed of 112 mph for safety.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, a hands-on driving-assistance system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. While effective, the steering assist felt artificial. The system was set to become hands-free in 2022. 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 the new model was expected to improve upon the old Grand Cherokee’s ratings.