2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered a diverse lineup with six distinct trims, each showcasing unique design elements. The base LS and popular LT trims featured different grille patterns, while the sporty RST boasted a slotted grille, blacked-out appearance, and 22-inch wheels. The rugged Z71 combined the LS grille with a blacked-out look, red tow hooks, a skid plate, and 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. The upscale Premier adopted the RST’s grille with chrome accents, and the luxurious High Country featured a chrome bar grille and bright-finished 22-inch wheels. The Tahoe’s design was dominated by its grille, complemented by standard LED headlights and expressive taillights. Despite its familiar design themes, the new Tahoe appeared more slab-sided, with larger wheels enhancing its overall look. Prices ranged from $57,048 for the LS to $81,448 for the High Country, with the Z71 trim tested at $80,293, including various option packages.

Inside, the Tahoe’s interior was centred around a 10.2-inch infotainment screen and new electronic transmission controls, which improved storage capacity but compromised control layout. The LS trim featured cloth seats, while leather became standard with the LT trim. The Premier and High Country trims offered perforated leather in various colours. The Z71 trim tested met quality expectations, with exposed stitching and soft-touch surfaces in the upper cabin, while hard plastic covered the lower half. The Tahoe’s interior execution was functional, though the control layout could be challenging to use.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee maintained its timeless design, blending rugged utility with upscale sophistication. Its balanced aesthetic, with big wheels and flared fenders, contributed to its enduring appeal. The Grand Cherokee defied easy categorization, serving as a mainstream, luxury, and performance SUV. The lineup included affordable Laredo and Limited trims, upscale Overland and Summit trims, and high-performance SRT and Trackhawk models. The Trailhawk trim catered to off-roading enthusiasts. For 2021, minor updates were made to the Laredo and Limited trims, with new Altitude and 80th Anniversary Edition versions debuting. Prices ranged from $45,000 to over $105,000 Canadian.

The Summit trim tested featured a 5.7-litre V8 engine, 4WD, and various packages, with an MSRP of $89,145 Canadian. The Premium Plus Appearance Group enhanced the Summit’s look with body-colour accents and a platinum chrome finish. Inside, the Summit’s cabin exuded luxury with premium leather, genuine wood, and real aluminum. The Indigo and Ski Gray colour scheme added contrast, while quilted seat bolsters and a wood-and-leather steering wheel elevated the interior’s appeal. However, the interior showed signs of aging, with outdated switchgear and non-flush panel fits indicating a need for redesign.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered three engine options, with a standard 5.3-litre V8 delivering 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, and a 6.2-litre V8 exclusive to the High Country producing 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. A turbocharged 3.0-litre diesel engine, available for all trims except the Z71, provided 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, improving fuel efficiency by approximately 3.5 litres per 100 kilometres. A 10-speed automatic transmission powered the Tahoe, with RWD standard on base trims and 4WD optional or standard on others. The Z71 trim included a two-speed transfer case, hill descent control, and off-road enhancements. The Tahoe could tow up to 3,810 kilograms and handle 831 kilograms of payload.

The major engineering change for 2021 was the adoption of an independent rear suspension, improving ride quality, handling, and interior comfort. The Tahoe offered Magnetic Ride Control and Air Ride suspension options, enhancing ride quality and ground clearance. The Z71 trim impressed with its smooth ride, adaptive damping, and air suspension, while the 5.3-litre V8 and 10-speed transmission provided ample power. Dynamic Fuel Management technology improved fuel efficiency, with a 4WD Tahoe rated at 13.5 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. Handling was commendable, with suspension upgrades controlling body roll and motion.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It could tow up to 2,818 kilograms. An optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8, with 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, offered a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,300 kilograms. The V8 featured cylinder deactivation technology, achieving 14.1 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a test loop returning 12.9 L/100 km.

The Grand Cherokee’s Quadra-Trac II 4WD system included a two-speed transfer case, hill-descent control, and Selec-Terrain traction management. The Summit trim featured a Quadra-Lift air suspension, offering 10.4 cm of variability for improved efficiency and ground clearance. The Grand Cherokee excelled off-road, with the Summit trim handling trails with ease. During daily driving, the Grand Cherokee was speedy and responsive, though the V8 consumed more fuel in the city. The air suspension could feel bouncy on uneven surfaces, but the tight turning radius and effective brakes enhanced maneuverability.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe benefited from a new independent rear suspension, improving passenger comfort and cargo space. The test vehicle featured heated power-adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel, with ventilated seats available on higher trims. The power sliding storage console was a recommended feature, offering a large storage tray and locking drawer. The second row offered a bench seat or captain’s chairs, with the latter option providing comfort and entertainment displays. Access to the third row was easy, with improved space for adults. The Tahoe offered 722 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 3,480 litres with seats folded.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured supportive seats with a heated steering wheel, wrapped in quilted and perforated leather. The Signature Leather-Wrapped Interior Package added luxury, though it was an expensive option. Both front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, with heating and ventilation controls embedded in the infotainment system. The rear seat was comfortable but had limited legroom for taller adults. The optional rear-seat entertainment system added to the sense of claustrophobia. The Grand Cherokee offered 1,028 litres of cargo space, with a power liftgate and easy-folding second-row seats expanding capacity to 1,934 litres.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe featured a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a new digital platform, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice recognition, and Chevrolet Connected Services. Navigation and Bose audio systems were available upgrades. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though main-menu icons were hard to access. The voice-recognition system was impressive, and Bluetooth pairing was fast. The test vehicle included a Rear Seat Media system, though the head-up display was absent.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s Uconnect 4C with Nav system offered a nearly flawless user experience, with navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. SiriusXM provided satellite radio and subscription-based services. The voice recognition technology worked well, and the Summit trim featured a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The Grand Cherokee was “tech lite,” offering essential features and advanced driving assistance systems.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe included standard safety features like Teen Driver, rear-seat reminder, forward collision alert, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Tahoe lacked crash test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS at the time of review.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee had mixed safety ratings, with a five-star overall rating from NHTSA for 4WD models but poor IIHS ratings for small-overlap frontal impacts. The Summit trim included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Grand Cherokee offered parking assistance and a backup camera, though it lacked surround-view and forward-view camera systems.