2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 presented a rugged exterior that was a departure from its predecessors, with boxy fender flares, chiseled taillights, and a scowling front end that gave it a more aggressive look compared to other compact crossovers. Despite its bold styling, the RAV4 was built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, which was shared with other Toyota models like the Camry and Sienna. This meant that while the exterior suggested a more adventurous vehicle, the mechanical underpinnings were more conventional. The RAV4 offered options like the Trail model with a retro Ice Edge roof and the TRD Off-Road package with matte black wheels and red interior accents, enhancing its rugged appeal. Inside, the RAV4 featured functional touches like large rubberized knobs and SofTex upholstery, though material quality did not significantly improve with higher trims.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee maintained a timeless design that combined rugged utility with upscale sophistication. Its design, with big wheels and flared fenders, contributed to its enduring appeal. The Grand Cherokee lineup was diverse, ranging from the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the luxurious Overland and Summit, and even high-performance models like the SRT and Trackhawk. The Summit trim, in particular, offered a plush interior with premium leather, genuine wood, and aluminum accents, creating a luxurious feel. However, the interior design was showing its age, with outdated switchgear and non-flush panel fits. Despite this, the Grand Cherokee's design remained a benchmark for what an SUV should look like.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered standard front-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive. While the engine boasted impressive thermal efficiency and a high revving nature, the transmission struggled to keep up, leading to a less dynamic driving experience. The RAV4's steering was responsive but lacked feel, and the "Sport" mode only added weight to the steering without enhancing performance. The RAV4 excelled on highways with low cabin noise and a comfortable suspension, but its off-road capabilities were limited despite features like torque-vectoring all-wheel drive and a 3,500-pound towing capacity in the TRD Off-Road model.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, 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 for improved efficiency, though fuel consumption remained high. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system and Quadra-Lift air suspension enhanced its off-road capabilities, allowing for adjustable ground clearance. On the road, the Grand Cherokee was responsive and quiet, though the V8's fuel consumption and occasional bounciness were drawbacks. Its tight turning radius and effective brakes added to its practicality.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 offered a tall, upright roof providing ample headroom and good outward visibility. However, legroom was slightly lacking compared to competitors. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats had flat, hard cushions, making long trips less appealing. The RAV4 featured a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, but it didn't slide like some competitors. Cargo space was above average at 1,059 litres with seats up and 1,977 litres with them folded, though still behind the Honda CR-V. The interior had oversized knobs and easy-to-use controls, but storage space was limited, with small cupholders and a larger shift lever.

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 controls were embedded in the infotainment system, causing some distraction. The rear seat was comfortable but had limited legroom, and the optional rear-seat entertainment system added to a sense of claustrophobia. Interior storage was adequate, but the entertainment system's DVD/Blu-Ray player took up console space. Cargo space was 1,028 litres behind the rear seat, with a maximum of 1,934 litres with seats folded. The Grand Cherokee offered practical features like grocery bag hooks and a power liftgate.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 came standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with most trims featuring a 7-inch touchscreen, while higher trims offered an 8-inch screen. The RAV4 Prime had a 9-inch screen option. Up to five USB ports were available, and a JBL premium audio system was optional. The infotainment system was user-friendly but not particularly flashy, with well-positioned graphics and shortcut buttons. However, it lacked advanced features like a head-up display, which was only available on the RAV4 Prime.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav system, offering a nearly flawless user experience with fast response and pleasing graphics. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. SiriusXM services were available, with a free year of satellite radio and subscription-based services. The voice recognition technology worked well, and the Summit trim included a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. While the Grand Cherokee offered essential tech features, it was considered "tech lite" compared to newer models.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention. However, it missed the highest rating due to mixed headlight scores. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover tests. Standard safety features included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, with forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and more. Blind spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera system were also available.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee had mixed safety ratings. The NHTSA gave the 4WD model a five-star overall rating, but the 2WD model received four stars due to a three-star rollover rating. The IIHS rated it "Marginal" for driver and "Poor" for passenger in small-overlap frontal impacts. The Grand Cherokee offered numerous safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Summit trim included a comprehensive ProTech II Package with advanced safety features.