2021 Jeep Cherokee vs 2021 Kia Sorento

The styling of the 2021 Jeep Cherokee had evolved since its debut, initially polarizing with its very short grille opening and swept-back headlights. Over time, seven years to be precise, opinions mellowed. While not completely winning everyone over, the Cherokee did appear better proportioned. The exterior look greatly depended on the trim level. An entry-level Latitude with its 17-inch wheels and front-wheel drive (FWD) had a pedestrian look, easily mingling with any typical rental lot of vehicles. In stark contrast, an 80th Anniversary Edition dressed with 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding offered a more polished appearance.

Jeep's renowned expertise in maximizing roof utility was evident in the Cherokee. Options included a panoramic sunroof that almost covered the entire roof surface, drawing positive comparisons with the innovative roof treatments in Jeep's other models like the Wrangler and Renegade.

Visibility in a crowded parking lot was a strong point for the Cherokee. Its distinct front-end design bore a family resemblance to the larger Jeep Grand Cherokee, ensuring it stood out in a sea of crossover SUVs.

In comparison, the 2021 Kia Sorento took a significant leap forward from its predecessor with a more handsome, athletic, and muscular design. The swoopy, jelly-bean aesthetics were replaced with a more defined silhouette. The test model, adorned in SX Prestige trim with the X-Line package, boasted roof rails and a shark fin antenna adding to its sporty allure.

Kia's tiger-nose grille grew bolder and curved more pronouncedly towards the car's corners. The headlights, accented by running lights, squinted without being overly diminutive. A silver accent between the front fender and door and vertical rectangle taillights further enhanced its visual appeal, marking it as a forward-thinking but not overly trendy model that would age gracefully.

Inside, the Sorento exuded luxury. Premium features speckled the cabin, including heated outside mirrors, second-row air vents, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity as standard. The upper trims like the SX Prestige offered top-tier amenities like perforated leather, providing supreme comfort. The seats, particularly in the top trim, were soft, supportive and only lacking in thigh support.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee came with a choice of three engines. The base engine, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder providing 180 horsepower, came standard on the Latitude and Latitude Plus trims. Moving up, a 3.2-liter V6 engine ramped up the power to 271 hp. The top-tier engine was a 2.0-liter GMET4 turbocharged four-cylinder, producing 270 hp and a robust 295 lb-ft of torque, which was notably higher than the V6's 239 lb-ft.

Acceleration was adequate but not exhilarating, with the V6 hitting 0-60 mph in about 7.2 seconds and the turbo-four doing it in roughly 7.4 seconds in tests. All models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, which eventually proved reliable and efficient despite early production hiccups.

The off-road prowess was a standout for the Cherokee, especially the Trailhawk model. Features like Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control made it surprisingly adept on rugged trails. However, FWD models existed primarily for budget-conscious buyers or rental fleets.

In contrast, the 2021 Kia Sorento offered a more limited but equally striking powertrain lineup. The standard engine for the LX and S trims was a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder, delivering 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. However, the star performer was the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine in the higher trims, generating 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) with a wet clutch for smooth power delivery.

A hybrid variant with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine was available as well, albeit only in front-wheel-drive (FWD).

The Sorento’s AWD system, which came standard with the X-Line package, featured torque vectoring and a center-locking differential, complemented by additional ride height, enhancing both its on-road agility and off-road capability. The SUV's suspension setup ensured a plush ride, even with larger 20-inch wheels. Different drive modes allowed the driver to toggle between eco-friendly, normal, and sporty driving experiences.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee occupied a niche in Jeep’s lineup between the smaller Renegade and the larger Grand Cherokee, pitting it against compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, its utility was not a strong suit. With only 26 cubic feet of cargo space available with the rear seats up and 55 cubic feet with them folded, the Cherokee struggled against competitors such as the Mazda CX-5, Ford Escape, and Kia Sportage.

Passenger space was competitive, offering about 102 cubic feet, making it slightly roomier than the Kia Sportage but slightly tighter than the Ford Escape.

Interior quality varied considerably with trim levels. The entry-level Latitude made extensive use of rubberized black plastic, while the Trailhawk featured upscale suede seat inserts and contrasting stitching. The Latitude Lux upped the ante with perforated Nappa leather upholstery.

The 2021 Kia Sorento, a three-row midsize SUV, offered practicality but with limitations. The top trims were best considered as luxurious four-seaters due to the swap of a second-row bench seat for captain’s chairs and the cramped third row. Cargo space was limited to just 12.6 cubic feet with all seats in use, but folding the third row expanded to a generous 75.5 cubic feet, still comparable to compact crossovers.

Passenger comfort was a highlight, especially in the captain's chairs which provided ample legroom in both the front (41.4 inches) and second row (41.7 inches). Storage for smaller items was well-thought-out, with spots for phones, ample cupholders, and decent-sized door pockets.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee’s infotainment system was praised for its user-friendliness. The Stellantis brand’s Uconnect system, available with either a 7-inch or 8.4-inch touchscreen, was intuitive and responsive. Heating and air conditioning controls were straightforward, and the system's layout was consistent across various Stellantis vehicles. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 4G WiFi hotspot, and Amazon Alexa integration were all included, though only wired connections were supported for phone integration.

The 2021 Kia Sorento also impressed with its tech offerings, though with some quirks. The smaller 8-inch touchscreen, standard on the lower trims, supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger 10.25-inch touchscreen on the upper trims required a wired connection for phone integration and suffered from poor screen utilization when running Android Auto.

USB port availability was abundant, though limited to standard USB, and the optional Bose audio system left some audio enthusiasts wanting more. The navigation system, while capable, had room for improvement in voice and Point-of-Interest searches.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee fell short in top safety ratings but still provided solid safety features. It earned “Good” ratings in all IIHS crashworthiness categories and a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. The main downside was its mixed headlight ratings, with only the upper trims receiving “Acceptable” ratings.

Standard safety features included lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, full-speed forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was available only on the higher trims and as part of an option package on the Trailhawk.

The 2021 Kia Sorento, on the other hand, packed a comprehensive array of standard safety features. It included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, driver-attention warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, lane-following assist, and auto high beams. Our test vehicle also included a surround-view camera and front- and rear-camera views at low speeds.

Adaptive cruise control was a high point, working smoothly, though the lane-keeping assist was sometimes overly active. The Sorento earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from NHTSA.