2021 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee maintained its timeless appeal, showcasing a design that balanced rugged utility with upscale sophistication. Its big wheels, flared fenders, and premium finishes contributed to its status as a quintessential SUV, offering a blend of mainstream, luxury, and performance attributes. The model lineup ranged from the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the upscale Overland and Summit, with high-performance SRT and Trackhawk versions. The Summit trim, in particular, featured a plush interior with premium leather, genuine wood, and a striking Indigo and Ski Gray colour scheme. However, despite its luxurious feel, the interior showed signs of aging with outdated switchgear and non-flush panel fits.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for 2020, retained a familiar and comfortable feel, reminiscent of older Subaru models. Its interior, especially in higher trims, offered a fresher look with a large 11.6-inch portrait display, contrasting leatherette, and substantial quality materials. The Outdoor XT trim featured water-resistant upholstery with lime green stitching, adding a touch of flair. The Outback's exterior was practical, with high gray cladding for protection and a smooth, balanced design. It offered ample cargo space and ground clearance, making it a versatile choice for those seeking a lifted wagon alternative to typical crossovers or SUVs.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, capable of towing up to 2,818 kilograms. For those seeking more power, an optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 was available, producing 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 for improved efficiency, though it still consumed 14.1 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system and Quadra-Lift air suspension enhanced its off-road capabilities, while its tight turning radius and responsive brakes made it agile in urban settings.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, on the other hand, offered a 2.5-litre boxer flat-four engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. This setup struggled with the Outback's weight, making it slow and noisy. However, the XT trims featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre flat-four engine, producing 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, significantly improving performance. The Outback's AWD system was proactive, always driving all four wheels and offering X-Mode for challenging conditions. Despite its squishy handling, the Outback excelled as a long-distance cruiser, with a comfortable ride and impressive off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit offered a luxurious interior with quilted leather seats and a heated steering wheel. Front seats provided eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, though controls were embedded in the infotainment system, causing some distraction. Rear seat legroom was somewhat limited, and the optional rear-seat entertainment system added to a sense of claustrophobia. Cargo space was adequate, with 1,028 litres behind the rear seats and 1,934 litres with them folded. However, the Grand Cherokee lacked practical interior storage, despite useful grocery bag hooks.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted impressive interior space, with 2,144 litres of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded and 920 litres with them raised. The cargo area was wide and flat, with ample headroom and legroom for passengers. Visibility was excellent, thanks to thin pillars and large windows. Storage options were plentiful, with large map pockets, bottle holders, and a handy front centre console. The Outback's standout feature was its standard roof rails with integrated crossbars, offering easy installation for roof racks. However, some features like push-button start and rear console climate vents were not standard on lower trims.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system, offering a nearly flawless user experience with fast response times and pleasing graphics. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system's voice recognition worked well, and the Summit trim boasted a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. However, the Grand Cherokee was otherwise "tech lite," focusing on essential features.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system appeared dated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. Despite this, it offered modern tech like adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking through Subaru EyeSight. The system included SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with optional navigation. The single large screen was more cohesive than the base model's dual-screen setup, though climate controls were embedded within the screen, complicating usability.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models, but its performance in IIHS tests 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. However, the Grand Cherokee's headlights rated "Poor" unless upgraded.

The 2021 Subaru Outback was a 2020 IIHS "Top Safety Pick+," earning top ratings in all crash tests and for its forward emergency braking. The NHTSA awarded it five stars overall, with four stars for the front passenger in a frontal crash and rollover test. The Outback featured a strong and stiff chassis, with standard driver-assist technologies like blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking on higher trims.