2021 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2021 Ford Explorer had a distinctive look that echoed Ford's familial design language. Its “small, medium, large, XL” approach to SUVs meant that no matter which size you selected—from the Escape to the Expedition—the vehicle showcased a strikingly similar aesthetic. This lineup was reminiscent of the 1950s branding tactics where loyalty was built through a family-like appeal.

From an exterior view, the Explorer looked good, with a sporty and raked beltline coupled with squinting visages that made it difficult to differentiate quickly between the Edge and the Explorer. Various trims featured different grille designs, ranging from black and chrome accents to fully chromed grilles. The six trims—Base, XLT, Limited, Limited Hybrid, Explorer ST, and Platinum—offered a range of finishes and functionalities, making the Explorer's visual and tactile appeal ascend as you moved up the ladder.

Inside, the Explorer came standard with three rows of seats, providing plenty of room for passengers. The clean dash, dominated by an 8-inch LCD touchscreen, with intuitive knobs and buttons for the audio and climate control, offered a user-friendly interface. The center console included a rotary gearshift, freeing up more storage space. Cloth upholstery was standard on the base model, with leather becoming available on higher trims, ensuring that the level of luxury improved with the price.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee boasted a timeless design, retaining its great looks even more than a decade after its release. Its design was a winning combination of rugged utility and upscale sophistication, exuding balance that defined what an SUV should look like. Big wheels under flared fenders added to the appeal.

The 2021 Grand Cherokee lineup ranged from the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the upscale Overland and Summit, and the performance-driven SRT and Trackhawk. Specially for off-roading, the Trailhawk trim was also included. For 2021, some trims received updates, and new versions like the Laredo X and the 80th Anniversary Edition debuted.

Our test model featured the Summit trim with a 5.7-liter V8 engine, four-wheel drive (4WD), extra-cost paint, Platinum Series Group, and Signature Leather-Wrapped Interior Package, bringing the MSRP to $68,185. The Summit trim shed some glitter for a premium look with body-color accents and platinum chrome finishes.

Inside, the Summit trim showcased premium leather, genuine wood, aluminum, and simulated suede for the headliner. The two-tone Indigo and Ski Gray scheme provided sharp, elegant contrasts. However, despite its luxury feel, the interior showed signs of aging with old-school switchgear and non-flush panels.

The powertrain of the 2021 Ford Explorer varied by trim but started strong with a turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine delivering 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, felt surprisingly capable, even for its 4,345-pound weight. The Limited Hybrid trim upgraded the power to a combined 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque with its V6 hybrid setup. For those craving more power, the 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, standard from higher trims, offered 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. The sport-oriented ST trim surged ahead with 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque.

The Explorer was more about towing capabilities than raw performance. Depending on the configuration, it could tow between 5,000 and 5,600 pounds—respectable, but not stellar in its class. However, it was more than adequate for typical consumer needs.

On the other hand, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee started with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission, enabling it to tow up to 6,200 pounds. An optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine provided 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, pushing the towing capacity to a best-in-class 7,200 pounds. The V8 even included cylinder deactivation for fuel saving but still managed only about 17 mpg combined.

Jeep’s Quadra-Trac II 4WD system, hill-descent control, and Selec-Terrain traction management allowed the Grand Cherokee to tackle various terrains with ease. The Summit trim also featured the Quadra-Lift air suspension system, giving the SUV a 4.1-inch height variability for improved efficiency on highways and better ground clearance off-road. Its tight turning radius was helpful both in the city and on trails.

The base 2021 Ford Explorer offered seating for seven, but other trims with captain’s chairs in the second row brought seating down to six. With 39 inches of legroom in the second row, it competed well against rivals like the Nissan Murano and Chevrolet Blazer, though it lagged behind the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. Even with the third row in use, the Explorer offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space. However, folding down the rear seats revealed a somewhat limited 81 cubic feet of total cargo volume.

In comparison, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit provided a luxurious interior, with heated and ventilated front seats that were adjustably powered in eight ways. Rear seating was comfy but slightly cramped for taller adults, particularly with the optional rear-seat entertainment system. The rear offered decent but not exceptional cargo space, with 36.3 cubic feet behind the seats and a maximum of 68.3 cubic feet with the seats folded down. While the setup included thoughtful details like a recessed bin and underfloor storage, it still lagged behind rivals in terms of sheer cargo capacity.

The 2021 Ford Explorer came well-equipped with standard and optional technology. Even the base trim included an 8-inch touchscreen with SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G WiFi hotspot. The Limited trim and above featured a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. Higher trims had the option of a 10.1-inch touchscreen and a 14-speaker B&O sound system. Two USB ports and multiple 12-volt power outlets were standard, with the ST and above adding a 110-volt outlet.

The outgoing 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee utilized the Uconnect 4C with Nav system, known for its user-friendly experience and fast response times. It supported navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Additionally, it offered remote services via Amazon Alexa and SiriusXM Guardian, enabling features like remote engine start and vehicle finder. The Summit trim boasted a significant auditory upgrade with a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. However, other than its infotainment system and advanced 4WD technologies, the Grand Cherokee was notably “tech lite,” focusing more on essential features.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, underlining its safety credentials. It achieved high scores across the board, although adaptive headlights received an “Acceptable” rating. The Explorer offered numerous standard active safety features, such as automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, and pedestrian detection, among others. The step-up packages added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and other advanced features.

However, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee had mixed reviews regarding safety. While it achieved a five-star overall rating from NHTSA for its 4WD variant, IIHS gave it “Marginal” and “Poor” ratings in critical crash tests. Despite this, the Grand Cherokee came well-equipped with a suite of safety features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance.