2021 Cadillac XT5 vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 showcased a refined design that marked a return to form for the brand, following a series of updates in 2020. These updates included a new engine option, revised styling, and enhanced technology, which carried over to the 2021 model. The exterior featured standard LED lights and a snub-nosed design, with trim levels differentiated by a fresh features list. The interior, while not entirely luxurious, offered a more upscale feel compared to its GM sibling, the Chevrolet Blazer. The Premium Luxury trim level, in particular, exuded elegance with its cut and sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fibre accents, making it one of the most refined Cadillacs aside from the Escalade.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee maintained its timeless appeal, with a design that balanced rugged utility and upscale sophistication. The model lineup ranged from the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the upscale Overland and Summit, and the high-performance SRT and Trackhawk editions. The Summit trim, in particular, featured a plush interior with premium leather, genuine wood, and real aluminum accents. However, the interior design showed signs of aging, with outdated switchgear and non-flush panel fits. Despite this, the Grand Cherokee's exterior styling remained a strong point, contributing to its continued success.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered three trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport. The Luxury and Premium Luxury trims came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. An optional 3.6-litre V6 engine, producing 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, was available for the Premium Luxury trim and standard on the Sport trim. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which was smooth when upshifting but clunkier when downshifting. The XT5's fuel efficiency was commendable, with the AWD V6 model achieving 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres during testing, better than the estimated 11.2 L/100 km.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. For those seeking more power, an optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 engine was available, delivering 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,300 kg. The V8 featured cylinder deactivation technology, achieving 12.9 L/100 km during testing. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system and Quadra-Lift air suspension provided excellent off-road capabilities, while the Summit trim offered a comfortable and responsive driving experience.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 provided seating for four adults across two rows, with a three-seat bench in the second row. While legroom was adequate, headroom was limited for taller passengers. The SUV offered 850 litres of cargo space, though wheel bump-outs reduced the width of the area. The XT5's cargo-management system allowed for secure storage, and a hands-free programmable height power liftgate was available. However, small-item storage was limited, with no convenient place for a smartphone.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured a supportive interior with quilted and perforated leather seats. Both front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, and the rear seat, while comfortable, had limited legroom for taller adults. The Grand Cherokee provided 1,028 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, with additional storage bins around the spare tire. Folding the second-row seats was easy, expanding the cargo space to 1,934 litres. However, the rear-seat entertainment system reduced interior storage space, and the SUV could benefit from more practical storage solutions.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 featured a streamlined infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen housed in Piano Black plastic. The system included a rotary controller, one-touch phone pairing, and an eight-speaker Bose sound system. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot were standard. A rear camera mirror and head-up display were available, enhancing the driving experience. The digital instrument cluster provided essential vehicle information, while the climate control system offered tri-zone automatic functionality.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee's Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system offered a user-friendly experience with navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system included SiriusXM services, voice recognition technology, and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system in the Summit trim. While the Grand Cherokee's technology offerings were limited compared to newer models, the infotainment system remained a strong point.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered a range of safety features, including front automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert. Night Vision technology enhanced nighttime drivability, while Teen Driver software allowed parents to monitor and limit vehicle features. However, not all safety technologies were standard across all trim levels.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models, but its performance in IIHS testing was less impressive, with "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings in small-overlap frontal-impact collisions. The Summit trim included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The ParkSense parking assistance system and backup camera with guidance lines further enhanced safety.