Jeep Cherokee vs Subaru Crosstrek

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek embodied the adage “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” As car shoppers flocked to crossovers for their rugged looks, available all-wheel drive (AWD), and tall driving positions, Subaru imbued its Impreza hatchback with those same characteristics. This strategy allowed the Crosstrek to do a reasonably good impression of an SUV, giving it more character than the base Impreza hatch. The Crosstrek featured black body cladding, model-specific 17-inch wheels, and a taller ride height, affording 8.7 inches of ground clearance. Subaru also offered more vibrant colors on the Crosstrek, including Plasma Yellow Pearl for the 2021 model year.

Underneath, the Crosstrek rode on the same Subaru Global Platform as other models like the Legacy/Outback, Ascent, and Forester. The interior remained virtually unchanged from the Impreza hatchback, functional but somewhat plain-looking. The Sport-trim-level test car had Plasma Yellow Pearl accents that clashed with the Horizon Blue Pearl exterior and simulated carbon-fiber trim pieces that looked cheap. However, the model did get water-repellant StarTex upholstery, useful for trips to the beach.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's styling had mellowed since its debut. While the very short grille opening and swept-back headlights were initially polarizing, the Cherokee looked better proportioned over time. The exterior appearance varied significantly with trim levels. An entry-level Latitude with 17-inch wheels and front-wheel drive (FWD) looked ordinary, while an 80th Anniversary Edition with 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding looked much nicer.

Jeep consistently maximized the utility of the roof, offering an optional panoramic sunroof that covered the entire top surface. The Cherokee stood out in a sea of crossover SUVs, bearing a striking resemblance to the larger Jeep Grand Cherokee, at least from the front. The Cherokee's design ensured it wouldn't get lost in a parking lot.

For 2021, the Subaru Crosstrek offered a new 2.5-liter boxer-four engine on the Sport and Limited trim levels, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The base and Premium trim levels continued with the 2.0-liter boxer-four, making 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission was standard on Base and Premium trims, while a continuously variable transmission (CVT) was optional. The Sport and Limited trims were CVT-only. All trim levels featured standard AWD with torque vectoring and X-Mode for loose surfaces, incorporating hill descent control. The new Sport trim also had Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes. Despite these features, the Crosstrek was more suited to pavement, offering predictable handling and a comfortable ride, though the higher center of gravity resulted in increased body roll.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engines depending on the trim level. The Latitude and Latitude Plus had a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine making 180 horsepower. The 3.2-liter V-6, available on higher trims, produced 271 hp. The top engine was the 2.0-liter GMET4 turbocharged four-cylinder, generating 270 hp and 295 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Cherokee's off-road capability was notable, especially in the Trailhawk model, which featured Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control. However, the Cherokee was also available in FWD, primarily for rental fleets and budget-conscious buyers.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered the same front and rear legroom as the Impreza hatchback, with slightly more rear headroom. Cargo space was 20.8 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 55.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While competitive against other small crossovers in passenger space, the Crosstrek lagged in cargo space compared to rivals like the Honda HR-V and Kia Seltos. CVT-equipped models featured a rear-seat reminder system. Up front, the Crosstrek had a handy cubby hole with USB and auxiliary ports, but storage space was minimal. The driving position was higher than the Impreza's, but visibility was good thanks to large side glass.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee filled a space between the smaller Renegade and the larger Grand Cherokee. It offered 26 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 55 cubic feet with the seats folded, placing it at the bottom among compact SUVs. The Cherokee had about 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, competitive with the Ford Escape and Kia Sportage. The interior layout was simple and businesslike, with trim levels significantly affecting the cabin's feel. The Latitude featured rubberized black plastic, while the Trailhawk had suede seat inserts and contrasting stitching. The Latitude Lux offered perforated Nappa leather upholstery.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek used Subaru’s Starlink infotainment system, with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. Premium and Sport trims added WiFi, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a single-disc CD player. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation was standard on the Limited trim and optional on lower trims. The Crosstrek also had a second screen above the main touchscreen for additional information. The 8-inch touchscreen was easy to navigate, and Subaru included large analog knobs and buttons for vital functions.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system, available with a 7-inch touchscreen on lower trims and an 8.4-inch touchscreen on higher trims. Both screen sizes supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though only wired. The Cherokee also offered a 4G WiFi hotspot and Amazon Alexa integration. Remote start was available, a useful feature in extreme climates. The Uconnect system was praised for its ease of use and minimal latency.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2020 model a “Top Safety Pick” rating, applicable to 2021 models with optional EyeSight features. EyeSight included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. However, the system's cameras could be blocked by windshield wipers or direct sunlight.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee did not earn a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS but received top “Good” scores in crashworthiness categories. The NHTSA gave the Cherokee a four-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included lane departure warning, full-speed forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was only available on higher trims.