2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, with its decade-old styling theme, received subtle updates to modernize its appearance. The new model year introduced a refreshed grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation across all trims, and a gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretching across the taillights. The Touring trim debuted a new 19-inch wheel design, enhancing the minivan's aesthetic appeal. These modifications aimed to reduce brightwork and give the Odyssey a more contemporary look. The interior saw improvements with new perforated leather upholstery, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting, elevating the Odyssey Touring to a more luxurious feel, akin to an Acura of minivans.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee maintained its timeless design, a decade after its initial release. The SUV's rugged utility and upscale sophistication were evident in its big wheels and flared fenders, making it a balanced work of automotive art. The Grand Cherokee's design contributed to its continued success, offering a blend of mainstream, luxury, and performance SUV characteristics. The model lineup ranged from the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the upscale Overland and Summit, with high-performance SRT and Trackhawk models. The Summit trim, with its Premium Plus Appearance Group, featured body-colour mirror caps and platinum chrome finishes, enhancing its premium look. Inside, the Summit's cabin boasted premium leather, genuine wood, and real aluminum, though the aging interior design signaled a need for a redesign.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, delivering 280 horsepower to the front wheels. This combination provided smooth and effortless power, with driving modes including Normal, Sport, Eco, and Snow. The Odyssey's fuel efficiency was aided by variable cylinder management, achieving an average of 10.8 L/100 km during testing. However, the lack of all-wheel drive (AWD) put the Odyssey at a disadvantage in snowy Canadian conditions. The new electronic brake booster improved brake pedal feel and response, though the brakes struggled under heavy use, indicating a need for an upgrade.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a standard 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, with an eight-speed automatic transmission. For those seeking more power, the optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,300 kg. The V8's cylinder deactivation technology improved fuel efficiency, achieving 12.9 L/100 km on a mountainous loop. 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. However, the V8's fuel consumption was high, and the ride could be bouncy on uneven surfaces.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a spacious and practical interior, with legible instrumentation and logical controls. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat was comfortable, though the lack of a tuning knob for the stereo was a drawback. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout provided versatile seating configurations, while the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space was generous, with 929 litres behind the third row and a maximum of 3,984 litres. However, removing the second-row seats to access maximum cargo volume was cumbersome.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured a luxurious interior with quilted leather and a heated steering wheel. The front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, though the controls for heating and ventilation were embedded in the infotainment system, causing some distraction. The rear seat was comfortable but lacked legroom for taller adults. Cargo space measured 1,028 litres behind the rear seat, with a maximum of 1,934 litres. Folding the second-row seats was easy, but the Grand Cherokee needed more practical interior storage space.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. The EX-L Navi and Touring trims added navigation and a CabinWatch interior camera. The Touring trim also featured a premium audio system and a Wi-Fi hotspot. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen and streaming apps, though it wasn't a touchscreen.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee's Uconnect 4C with Nav system provided a nearly flawless user experience, with navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The voice recognition technology worked well, and the Summit trim included a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. However, the Grand Cherokee was "tech lite," offering essential features without much additional technology.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety features with standard Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though the adaptive cruise control could apply uneven braking.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee's safety ratings were mixed. While it received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA with 4WD, 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, and lane-keeping assistance.