2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2022 Ford Bronco

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 and flared fenders that gave it a balanced and artistic look. The Grand Cherokee's design contributed significantly to its success, as it straddled the line between mainstream, luxury, and performance SUV categories. 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, in particular, offered a luxurious interior with premium materials, though the aging design elements hinted at the need for a redesign.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Bronco embraced retro styling with a go-anywhere attitude, making it highly sought after. The Bronco's lineup expanded with the Everglades and Raptor models, enhancing its off-road capabilities. Despite being sold out, the Bronco offered a choice between two-door and four-door body styles, with various engine options and removable roof configurations. Its design prioritized off-roading, with features like short overhangs, low-profile bumpers, and modular construction. Inside, the Bronco maintained a utilitarian theme with practical features like sealed switches, marine-grade upholstery, and drain plugs, while also incorporating modern technology for a well-rounded experience.

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 engine produced 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 Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system and Quadra-Lift air suspension provided excellent off-road capabilities, while its tight turning radius and responsive brakes made it suitable for daily driving.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered a base turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, while an optional 2.7-litre V6 engine produced 330 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The Bronco's seven-speed manual transmission, available with the four-cylinder engine, featured a crawl gear for low-speed driving. All Broncos came with four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case. The Bronco excelled in off-road performance, with models like the Everglades and Raptor conquering challenging terrain. On pavement, the Bronco offered a smoother ride and better handling than its rival, the Jeep Wrangler, making it a versatile choice for both off-road adventures and road trips.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured a luxurious interior with quilted leather seats and leather-wrapped panels. The front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, though the controls were integrated into the infotainment system, causing some distraction. The rear seat provided comfort but limited legroom for taller passengers. Cargo space measured 1,028 litres behind the rear seats and 1,934 litres with them folded, though the rear-seat entertainment system reduced storage space. Practical features included grocery bag hooks and a power liftgate, but overall interior storage was lacking.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's boxy design maximized interior space, offering ample headroom and legroom for passengers. Accessing the rear seats in the two-door model required some effort, but grab handles and side steps aided entry. Cargo capacity varied by model and roof type, with the two-door hard top offering up to 634 litres behind the rear seats and 1,481 litres with them folded. The four-door hard top increased capacity to 1,008 litres and 2,197 litres, respectively. Clever storage solutions included netted door pockets, a rubberized phone tray, and accessory rails. The Bronco's utility was further enhanced by external mounting points and removable fender flares.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system, offering a user-friendly 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. While the Grand Cherokee offered essential technology, it lacked advanced features compared to newer models.

The 2022 Ford Bronco incorporated technology to enhance its off-road capabilities, with G.O.A.T. modes for different terrains and a forward-looking trail camera for improved visibility. The Sync 4 infotainment system provided quick responses, sharp graphics, and off-road apps, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Bronco's technology balanced off-road functionality with modern convenience, making it a well-rounded choice.

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 certain crash tests. The Summit trim included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. However, the Grand Cherokee's safety ratings were a concern.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered standard safety features like hill-start assist and trailer sway control, with additional options available in higher trims. The NHTSA awarded the four-door Bronco four stars for frontal crash protection, while the IIHS gave it "Good" ratings in most tests. The Bronco's safety features functioned reliably, providing peace of mind for drivers.