2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a testament to timeless design, maintaining its appeal over a decade after its debut. It combined rugged utility with upscale sophistication, featuring big wheels under flared fenders, creating a balanced SUV aesthetic. The Grand Cherokee's design contributed significantly to its 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 5.7-litre V8 engine and premium interior, exemplified luxury, though the interior design showed signs of aging.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Highlander stood out with its distinctive styling, avoiding the blandness often associated with midsize SUVs. Its design featured wide headlights, a long hood, and a trapezoidal grille, with a character line reminiscent of the Supra sports car. The Highlander managed to look longer and lower than its predecessor without sacrificing size. The introduction of the XSE trim added a sportier appearance, though it didn't match the performance of sportier rivals. The Limited trim, just below the Platinum, offered an upscale look with chrome accents and a well-finished interior, emphasizing comfort and convenience over sportiness.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-litre Pentastar 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 2,818 kilograms. For those seeking more power, the optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 provided 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,300 kilograms. The V8 featured cylinder deactivation technology for improved efficiency, though fuel consumption remained high. The Quadra-Trac II 4WD system and Quadra-Lift air suspension enhanced off-road capabilities, while the Grand Cherokee's tight turning radius and effective brakes made it versatile for both city and off-road driving.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel or all-wheel drive options. While not designed for high performance, the Highlander provided smooth and reliable operation, comparable to competitors like the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride. The XSE trim added sportier suspension tuning, but the Highlander remained focused on comfort and practicality. Its handling was typical of a three-row crossover, with a soft suspension prioritizing passenger comfort over sporty driving dynamics.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit offered a luxurious interior with quilted leather seats and a leather-wrapped interior, though the Signature Leather-Wrapped Interior Package was an expensive option. The front seats provided eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, controlled through the Uconnect infotainment system. Rear-seat legroom was somewhat limited, and the optional rear-seat entertainment system added to a sense of claustrophobia. Cargo space behind the rear seat measured 1,028 litres, expandable to 1,934 litres with the second-row seats folded, though this was modest for a midsize SUV.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in interior space and practicality. It featured shelves ahead of the front seats for storage, with a wireless charging pad available on higher trims. Second-row passengers enjoyed ample legroom, with seats that could slide to adjust space for the third row. The third row was suitable for adults only if the second row was adjusted. Cargo space behind the third row was 453 litres, expanding to 1,150 litres with the third row folded, and 2,245 litres with both rows down, offering more space than some competitors.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system, known for its user-friendly interface, fast response, and clear 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. While the Grand Cherokee offered essential tech features, it was considered "tech lite" compared to upcoming models.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander offered an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 12.3-inch screen available on the Platinum trim. Both systems were user-friendly, with standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The 12.3-inch screen was visually impressive, though some apps were limited in display size. A JBL audio system was standard from the Limited grade, providing good sound quality. Navigation was available from the Limited grade, though it struggled with points of interest compared to Google Maps.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models, but only four stars for 2WD due to a three-star rollover rating. The IIHS rated it "Marginal" for driver-side small-overlap crashes and "Poor" for passenger-side. The Summit trim included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance, enhancing safety despite its crash test shortcomings.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support. It also featured adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Highlander received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, highlighting its strong safety credentials.