2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Volvo XC60

The 2021 Volvo XC60 stood out with its balanced fusion of elegance and athleticism. While Volvo had evolved under the stewardship of Geely Holding Group, the XC60 exemplified this growth with its stylish, Scandinavian-inspired exterior and refined detailing. The exterior design featured a sleek, two-box crossover look, impressively short front and rear overhangs, athletic tuck-ins, and crisp body lines that emphasized an agile form. The front grille, adorned with Volvo’s iron mark logo, sat upright and commanded attention, complimented by the distinct Thor’s hammer-shaped LED headlights – a truly Swedish design marvel.

The XC60’s exterior paint quality, chrome, and trim were meticulously executed, boasting a high level of craftsmanship. Wheel options up to 21 inches presented an attractive and fashionable stance. The interior continued this theme with a serene, clean-lined ambiance infused with authentic materials. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen, a pioneering feature by Volvo, seamlessly integrated with the cabin’s design, displaying a blend of form and function. Details such as the chromed, multi-functional HVAC vents demonstrated the brand’s near-luxury status. Comfortable, elegant, and harmonious, the XC60’s cabin provided a splendid environment for its occupants.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee balanced rugged utility with upscale sophistication, maintaining its timeless appeal more than a decade after its debut. The design remained purposeful with big wheels, aggressively flared fenders, and a look that distinctly conveyed the spirit of Jeep. With a range that spanned from the value-oriented Laredo and Limited trims to the plush Overland, Summit, and high-performance SRT and Trackhawk editions, the Grand Cherokee showcased its versatility.

Our test model, the Summit trim, boasted an impressive exterior with the Platinum Series Group, incorporating body-color mirror caps, door handles, side sills, and lower bumpers for a premium look, replacing the flashier chrome elements. Inside, the interior’s premium leather, genuine wood, aluminum, and simulated suede created a luxurious feel, exemplified by the Indigo and Ski Gray color scheme. The quilted seat bolsters, thick-rimmed wood-and-leather steering wheel, and digital instrumentation enriched the overall experience. However, some aspects like outdated switchgear and non-flush panels indicated the need for a refresh.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a sophisticated powertrain lineup with all models featuring a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 models, available in FWD or AWD, delivered 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The T6 models, with added supercharging, upped the ante to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, while the T8 models, as plug-in hybrids, combined a turbocharged and supercharged engine with an 87-hp electric motor to achieve 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The high-performance T8 Polestar Engineered model produced an impressive 415 hp and 472 lb-ft.

Our T8 Polestar Engineered test model also featured electric-only driving mode for up to 19 miles, making it versatile for both urban commutes and highway drives. The XC60 excelled with its seamless handling, AWD system, torque vectoring, and smooth suspension, providing a serene and comfortable ride. Fuel economy figures ranged from 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway/25 mpg combined for the T5 FWD to 27 mpg combined for the T8 PHEV, reaching up to 57 MPGe in electric-only mode. Premium gasoline was recommended for all models.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee provided a different driving experience. Standard was a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 295 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, with an excellent eight-speed automatic transmission and a towing capacity of 6,200 pounds. For those seeking more power, the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,200 pounds, making it substantially quicker and giving it that characteristic V8 rumble. The V8 featured cylinder deactivation for improved fuel efficiency, though it still averaged around 17 mpg combined.

The Grand Cherokee, particularly in the Summit trim with Quadra-Trac II 4WD and Quadra-Lift air suspension, could conquer rough terrains and provided 4.1 inches of variability in suspension heights. Off-road capabilities were enhanced with Selec-Terrain traction management, multiple driving modes, and the ability to raise ground clearance to 10.8 inches. While it excelled on trails, the Grand Cherokee’s ride could feel bouncy on city streets despite the air suspension. Its tight turning radius, effective braking, and relatively clear visibility enhanced daily usability.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 excelled in providing comfort and functionality. Front row seats were highly adjustable and heated, catering well to sub-freezing temperatures during our tests. The Swedish car demonstrated exceptional winter capabilities, with rapid heat-up times for the seats and efficient defrosting systems.

Interior storage in the XC60 was well thought out, with smart placements in the center console, dashboard, and door panels. Rear passengers had ample storage in seatbacks, door panels, and the lower center console. Cargo capacity was impressive too, offering 21.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 63.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The XC60 could also tow up to 3,500 pounds, adding to its functional versatility.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s Summit trim emphasized luxury with its Signature Leather-Wrapped Interior Package. Front seats were eight-way power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated. However, the embedded seat and wheel heating controls in the infotainment system could be distractingly harder to operate compared to physical buttons.

Rear seats in the Grand Cherokee offered decent comfort but had somewhat constrained legroom. The optional rear-seat entertainment system added to the cramped feel, although rear air vents and a large panoramic sunroof alleviated this to some extent. Storage in the center console was limited, especially with the DVD/Blu-Ray player of the entertainment system. Cargo capacity behind the rear seats was more generous at 36.3 cubic feet, extending to 68.3 cubic feet with seats folded. Practical touches included a recessed bin for bottles and a power liftgate closing button for ease of use. The Grand Cherokee could tow significant loads, boasting a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,200 pounds with the V8 engine.

Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system in the 2021 XC60 continued to polarize users. The large, tablet-style touchpad interface, resembling an iPad, was familiar to iPad users. The system featured function quadrants for easy navigation, controlled through touch gestures, and a hard button for home screen access. While it could be intuitive, it required a learning curve, making on-the-go operation potentially distracting.

Smartphone integration was seamless with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. A WiFi hotspot and the Volvo On Call app added utility through remote locking, starting, and maintenance reminders. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system, available in our test model, provided exceptional sound quality.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came with the Uconnect 4C with Nav system, known for its user-friendly experience, quick input response, and high-quality graphics. Features included navigation, smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and access to a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Alexa integration allowed voice commands for remote functions like starting the vehicle.

SiriusXM services were comprehensive, including six months of satellite radio and five years of Traffic Plus and Travel Link services. The Jeep’s voice recognition system worked surprisingly well, enabling control over various functions. While the 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system in the Summit test model provided powerful sound, the Grand Cherokee remained tech-lite beyond its infotainment and driving assistance systems.

Volvo’s commitment to safety in the 2021 XC60 was evident. With a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS and five-star ratings for certain models from NHTSA, the XC60 was superbly rated. Standard safety features included LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping aid. The Pilot Assist system offered semi-autonomous driving capabilities, integrating adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. Volvo also restricted the XC60’s top speed to 112 mph for safety.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s safety performance was mixed. While it achieved a five-star overall rating from NHTSA for 4WD models, its IIHS small-overlap frontal impact ratings were concerning, with a Marginal rating for the driver and Poor for the front passenger. Headlight ratings were also Poor unless upgraded.

However, the Grand Cherokee’s Summit trim came with comprehensive safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assistance. Parking aids and surround-view cameras further enhanced safety during parking maneuvers.