2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2022 GMC Terrain

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 and the off-road-ready Trailhawk. 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 GMC Terrain received updates to its front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim. The new AT4 trim level added a bolder grille, black alloy wheels, and sport-terrain tires, with a steel skid plate for off-road protection. The Terrain's interior was roomy and comfortable, with power-adjustable front seats, heated features, and dual-zone climate control. The AT4 trim featured perforated leather upholstery with caramel-coloured stitching, adding an upscale touch. Despite its efforts, the Terrain's interior materials and design did not fully meet expectations for its price range, and the pushbutton transmission controls were not intuitive.

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, the optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 offered 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,300 kilograms. The V8's cylinder deactivation technology helped with fuel 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 provided excellent off-road capabilities, while its tight turning radius and responsive brakes made it agile in urban settings.

The 2022 GMC Terrain featured a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. While it lacked the acceleration of the discontinued 2.0-litre engine, the 1.5-litre offered decent performance with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Terrain's AWD system and Off-Road mode provided versatility, though torque steer was an issue in FWD mode. The AT4 model's ground clearance was lower than some competitors, limiting its off-road capabilities. The Terrain's ride was smooth on highways and city streets, but its handling was less engaging, with numb steering and brakes. Fuel economy was a strong point, with a combined rating of 9.0 litres per 100 kilometres.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit offered a luxurious interior with quilted leather seats and a leather-wrapped interior. The front seats were power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated, though the controls were embedded in the infotainment system. Rear-seat comfort was adequate, with large windows and a panoramic sunroof enhancing the sense of space. Cargo space measured 1,028 litres behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,934 litres with the seats folded. However, the Grand Cherokee's interior storage was limited, and the optional rear-seat entertainment system took up valuable space.

The 2022 GMC Terrain provided a spacious interior with power-adjustable front seats, heated features, and dual-zone climate control. The AT4 trim's perforated leather upholstery added an upscale feel, and the rear seat offered ample legroom and support. The Terrain's interior featured numerous storage solutions, though the storage tray was disappointingly narrow. Cargo space measured 838 litres behind the second row, expanding to 1,792 litres with the seats folded. The front passenger seat could also be folded for longer items, enhancing the Terrain's practicality.

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 voice recognition technology worked well, and the Summit trim's Harman Kardon audio system provided excellent sound quality. While the Grand Cherokee offered essential tech features, it lacked the advanced digital capabilities of newer models.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems, with the AT4 trim featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with connected navigation and a Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was highly effective, accurately responding to various prompts. The Terrain's Tech Package included a head-up display, park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system. The Tire Fill Alert system and remote engine starting were practical features, though the Bose speakers were not as impressive as expected.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee received mixed safety ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models but lower ratings from the IIHS for small-overlap frontal impacts. The Summit trim included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The ParkSense parking assistance system was useful in low-traffic environments.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came standard with the GMC Pro Safety Package, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and lane-keeping assist. The Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Terrain received mostly "Good" crash-test scores from the IIHS, though it earned a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 Terrain's crashworthiness at the time of review.