2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, moving away from its traditionally conservative styling to a more characterful yet distinctly Volvo appearance. The XC90 retained classic Volvo elements like a boxy profile and a rectangular grille but introduced softer lines, increased chrome accents, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights. The Inscription trim, with its optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the most visually striking, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more understated looks, respectively. Inside, the XC90 embraced "Swedish minimalism," featuring high-quality materials like matte-finish wood and optional wool upholstery, creating a refined and thoughtfully arranged interior.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee maintained its timeless design, blending rugged utility with upscale sophistication. Its bold stance, with wheels pushed to the corners and flared fenders, contributed to its enduring appeal. The Grand Cherokee lineup offered a range of trims, from the affordable Laredo to the luxurious Summit and performance-oriented SRT and Trackhawk models. The Summit trim, with its 5.7-liter V8 engine and premium features, exemplified the Grand Cherokee's versatility. Inside, the Summit's cabin featured premium leather, genuine wood, and real aluminum, creating a luxurious atmosphere. However, the interior design showed signs of aging, with outdated switchgear and non-flush panel fits, indicating a need for a redesign.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all centered around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 model featured a turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional. The T6 variant added a supercharger, boosting output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, with standard all-wheel drive. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, also known as Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric motors for a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. Despite its power, the XC90 struggled with acceleration from stops on electric power alone, often requiring the gasoline engine's assistance. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and offered a quiet cabin. It had a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, except for the base FWD T5, which was rated at 4,000 pounds.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a towing capacity of up to 6,200 pounds. For those seeking more power, the optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 produced 360 hp and 390 lb-ft, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,200 pounds. The V8 featured cylinder deactivation technology for improved fuel efficiency, though it achieved only 17 mpg in combined driving. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system, hill-descent control, and Selec-Terrain traction management made it capable off-road. The Summit trim included a Quadra-Lift air suspension, enhancing both on-road comfort and off-road capability. Despite its off-road prowess, the Grand Cherokee's ride could feel bouncy on uneven surfaces, but its tight turning radius and effective brakes made it agile in various driving situations.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered a choice between six-seat and seven-seat configurations, with second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. While headroom and legroom were average for the segment, the third row was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. The optional power moonroof and upright roof profile contributed to a spacious feel. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with massage, but the steering wheel was not power-adjustable. Cargo space was limited, with 11.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. A hands-free power tailgate was available.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured supportive front seats with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The Signature Leather-Wrapped Interior Package added luxurious touches, though the controls for seat heating and ventilation were embedded in the infotainment system, causing some distraction. The rear seat offered comfort but limited legroom for taller adults. The optional rear-seat entertainment system added to a sense of claustrophobia. Cargo space measured 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seat, with a maximum of 68.3 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded. Practical storage solutions included grocery bag hooks and a power liftgate.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, known for its simplicity and functionality. It included a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The system's portrait-oriented touchscreen was intuitive, though the text and typeface could be challenging to read while driving. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and head-up display were available. However, the wireless charging pad was too small for most phones, and only second-row USB-C ports were provided.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee's Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system offered a nearly flawless user experience, with fast response times and pleasing graphics. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system's voice recognition technology worked well, allowing control of various features through voice commands. The Summit trim featured a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. While the Grand Cherokee's infotainment system was impressive, it lacked some advanced features found in newer models.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models, with top "Good" scores in all crash tests. It also earned a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle testing and an "Advanced" rating in vehicle-to-pedestrian testing. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo's Pilot Assist driver aid.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models, but only four stars for 2WD models due to a three-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS rated it "Marginal" for driver-side small-overlap frontal-impact collisions and "Poor" for the front passenger. The Summit trim included the ProTech II Package, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Grand Cherokee also featured a backup camera, parking sensors, and ParkSense parking assistance.