2020 Cadillac XT4 vs 2019 Jeep Cherokee

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee underwent a significant redesign to address the polarizing styling of its predecessor. The previous generation, rumored to have Fiat origins, featured unconventional design elements that didn't resonate with everyone. Jeep designers took a clean-slate approach, resulting in a more conventional front-end design with a typical headlight-above/fog-light-below configuration. The rear hatch was also revamped, moving the license-plate frame to the center, giving it a more modern look. Inside, the Cherokee's cabin retained its sensible and logical control layout, reminiscent of a downsized Grand Cherokee, with plenty of storage compartments and a user-friendly design.

In contrast, the 2020 Cadillac XT4 employed a "Y" trim level strategy, offering standard Luxury trim with upgrades to Premium Luxury or Sport trim. Our test vehicle, a Premium Luxury trim, featured front-wheel drive, 20-inch aluminum wheels, and a host of option packages, totaling $45,660. The XT4's exterior boasted crisp, tailored styling, although the front overhang was a bit excessive. Inside, Cadillac used competitive-quality materials, but some elements, like the plain black trim around the power window controls, felt out of place. Overall, the XT4's interior was pleasant, with comfortable seating and a well-designed air conditioning system, but it had some room for improvement in terms of material quality and noise isolation.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee offered a range of engines, starting with the base 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque. This engine was standard on the Latitude, Latitude Plus, and FWD Limited trims. The 4WD Limited, Overland, and Trailhawk trims came with a 3.2-liter V6 engine, delivering 271 horsepower and 239 pound-feet of torque. A new addition for 2019 was the turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, generating 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided solid acceleration but was quite noisy. The Cherokee featured a 9-speed automatic transmission and various 4WD systems, including Active Drive I, Active Drive II, and Active Drive Lock. The Trailhawk trim, with its off-road suspension and additional ground clearance, excelled in off-road conditions. The Cherokee's towing capacity reached up to 4,500 pounds with the V6 engine and 4,000 pounds with the turbocharged engine. Fuel economy varied, with the most efficient variant achieving 23 mpg city, 31 highway, and 26 combined.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided a lively driving experience, thanks to its fat band of torque available from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm. The XT4 featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, which offered smooth shifts but was hesitant to downshift in Tour mode. The optional twin-clutch AWD system helped limit front-wheel slip and torque steer. The XT4's ride and handling were a mixed bag, with good steering effort in Tour mode but an artificially heavy sensation in Sport mode. The standard suspension struggled with speed humps and smaller bumps, while the oversized wheels provided impressive grip. The XT4's brakes performed well, making it enjoyable to drive on smooth pavement. Fuel economy for the FWD XT4 was rated at 26 mpg, with our test vehicle returning 24.8 mpg.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee's interior featured a highly functional control layout, with plenty of storage solutions, including deep pockets in the front doors, a tray by the shifter, and a deep center console. The hands-free power liftgate was a convenient addition, although the sensor was sometimes finicky. However, the Cherokee's cargo space was subpar, offering just 25 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 54 cubic feet with them folded down, falling short of competitors like the Honda CR-V.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4's interior provided comfort for the driver and front passenger, with soft leather, padded armrests, and heated, ventilated, and massaging seats. The rear passenger compartment felt roomier than many small SUVs, although the rear seat cushion lacked support. The XT4's air conditioning system performed exceptionally well, quickly cooling the cabin during a heatwave. The climate controls were elegantly arranged, and the cabin offered ample storage space, including umbrella holders and an innovative wireless smartphone charger. However, the XT4's cargo space was limited, with 22.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 48.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. A hands-free power liftgate was available.

For 2019, the Jeep Cherokee came standard with a 7-inch Uconnect touchscreen, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims included an 8.3-inch Uconnect system with updated graphics, improved responsiveness, and pinch-to-zoom navigation. The Uconnect system's menu layout was user-friendly, with customizable screens and dock buttons for major features. While some automakers offered unique features like wireless charging, Uconnect set the standard for a user-friendly infotainment system.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 featured the latest version of the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) system, which was much improved from previous iterations. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and near-field communication pairing for Bluetooth. The 8-inch display was a touchscreen, and there were intuitive controls on the center console and steering wheel, as well as a voice-recognition system. However, the screen could have been larger, and integrating the climate system into the voice-recognition system would have been beneficial. The optional 13-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround audio system provided a satisfying listening experience, but the test car lacked some advanced features like a head-up display and a rear camera mirror.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee came standard with a full array of front and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, electronic stability control, electronic roll mitigation, hill-start assist, keyless entry with a panic button, and trailer-sway control. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and rear parking sensors. Higher trims could be equipped with a Technology Group, adding forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, rain-sensing wipers, adaptive cruise control, and a self-parking feature.

For 2020, the Cadillac XT4 added forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and a vibrating Safety Alert Seat system to its standard equipment. Additional safety features included a rear-seat reminder, Teen Driver technology, and two years of automatic collision notification and emergency assistance. Premium Luxury and Sport trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and lane-change warning systems. The Driver Awareness Package included automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a following-distance indicator. Adaptive cruise control and high-speed automatic emergency braking were available in the Driver Assist Package. The XT4 received a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA.