2021 Chevy Suburban vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

If you’ve been looking around at full-size SUVs, you’ve probably taken an interest in the Chevy Suburban and the Jeep Grand Cherokee by now. And why wouldn’t you? They both have built solid reputations for quality and performance, and both have comfortable interiors with the latest tech. So how do you decide between them? That’s why we’ve put together this head-to-head comparison.

We’ll break down all the best features of both vehicles to help you make an informed decision.

2021 Chevy Suburban Exterior Style and Trims

Chevrolet has redesigned the 2021 Suburban, creating a larger, more versatile SUV while staying true to its heritage. Every Suburban features an aggressively styled nose, each with a unique grille design. Sharp lines and soft curves highlight the athleticism within.

Chevy offers the Suburban in six trim levels, all unique in their own way, yet all unmistakably a Suburban. The LS and LT trims roll on 18-inch Bright Silver painted aluminum wheels, stylish body-color door handles, body-color heated outside mirrors, and black assist steps. They feature an LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights.

The RST upgrades to 22-inch bright machined High-Gloss Black painted wheels, a hands-free power liftgate, heated power outside mirrors, and black roof rails. The Premier trim adds automatic dimming outside mirrors, chrome door handles, and body-color side molding.

The top-of-the-line High Country adds premium touches, including a signature grille and 22-inch Sterling Silver premium painted wheels with chrome inserts. The Z71 was designed to handle the road less traveled with 20-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires and a front fascia with a high-approach angle.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Exterior Style and Trims

The Grand Cherokee also features a new design that includes a third row of seats for more passenger volume. Yet the third row only comes on the Grand Cherokee L trim. Aside from this upgrade, the Grand Cherokee remains essentially the same as previous generations. Jeep offers the Cherokee in a whopping 12 trim levels. Rather than making it easier to choose a model, this only adds confusion.

Stylistically, not a lot separates the trim levels. They all have the same box-like Jeep body and minor variations to Jeep’s signature six-bar grille. Jeep offers 18- and 20-inch wheels depending on the model.

We give the edge to the Suburban, offering the right amount of style spread across a manageable number of trims. When considering exterior style and available features, you can’t help but love the Suburban’s bold new look.

2021 Suburban Interior Comfort and Convenience

The Suburban has seating for eight passengers in its standard configuration. You can opt for second-row captain’s chairs, lowering the seating capacity to seven but creating more space for those second and third-row passengers. If necessary, a configuration to add a ninth seat can be had by adding a bench seat to the front row. This third passenger seat lacks the legroom of the other two in the front row, making it suitable for a child.

The Suburban’s clean, modern interior features signature perforated leather seats and carbon-fiber trim on specific models like the RST and High Country. Lower trims come with power-adjustable premium cloth seats and a tri-zone climate control system. Higher trims get heated and ventilated seats in the first and second rows. A heated steering wheel and a panoramic sunroof are added as well.

In-vehicle tech runs through the 10.2-inch infotainment touch screen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth streaming technology are standard, allowing you to sync and operate your smart devices hands-free. An available rear entertainment system lets the family stream movies, play games, and more on the dual 12.6-inch touch-screen displays.

Cargo capacity in the Suburban totals 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 93.8 cubic feet with the third row folded flat, and a massive 144.7 cubic feet with the second and third-row stowed.

Grand Cherokee Interior

The Grand Cherokee seats five unless you opt for the Grand Cherokee L trim, which adds two jump seats as a third-row option. The third row offers minimal legroom, making it suitable for children only. The Grand Cherokee interior ranges from cloth seats to premium leather, similar to the Suburban.

The infotainment system in the Grand Cherokee uses a 10.2-inch interactive display and comes with Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay connectivity. No rear entertainment center option exists. Cargo space in the Grand Cherokee totals 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.9 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and 84.6 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded.

The edge clearly goes to the Suburban when comparing interiors. The Suburban has an incredible advantage when it comes to passenger and cargo volume. Comfortable appointments appear similar, but the rear entertainment center puts the Suburban way ahead of the Grand Cherokee. Even the smaller Chevrolet Traverse beats out the Grand Cherokee.

2021 Suburban Towing Capacity

Lower Suburban trims come with a 5.3-liter V-8 engine that puts out 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet torque. This powertrain can tow up to 8,100 pounds with the max trailering package. An inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine option puts out 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque that can tow up to 8,000 pounds. A 6.2-liter V-8 engine gives you 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque while towing up to 8,200 pounds.

Grand Cherokee Towing

The Grand Cherokee base models use a 3.6-liter V-6 engine that puts out 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque while towing up to 6,200 pounds. A 5.7-liter V-8 option puts the Grand Cherokee back in the discussion with 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque that ups the towing capacity to 7,200 pounds. Jeep’s 6.4-liter V-8 increases to 475 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque that doesn’t impact its towing capacity. A fourth engine, a 6.2-liter V-8, adds even more power with 707 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque, yet still tows only 7,200 pounds.

You can equip the Grand Cherokee with a more powerful engine, but that appears geared toward speed, not practical performance. When it comes to the overall engine lineup, the base models of the Suburban out-perform the Grand Cherokee in both power and performance.

The Suburban beats out the Grand Cherokee decisively at every turn. At Cochran Chevrolet, we know what SUV drivers want. That’s why we have the most expansive inventory of Suburban SUVs from Youngstown, Ohio, to Cleveland. We invite you to browse our inventory online or visit our dealership for an in-person experience. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff will show you all the Suburban models and let you take your favorite for a test drive.