2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2019 Jeep Cherokee

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee underwent a significant design overhaul to address the polarizing styling of its predecessor. The new front-end design adopted a more conventional look, replacing the isolated daytime running lights and fog-light-like headlights with a typical headlight-above/fog-light-below configuration. The rear also saw changes, with the license plate frame moved to the center of the rear hatch, giving it a more modern appearance. Inside, the Cherokee retained its well-received dash and cabin layout, which mimicked a downsized Grand Cherokee. The interior was practical, with plenty of storage compartments and a sensible control layout. The Cherokee offered various trims, each with its own set of features, from the base Latitude with a 7-inch touchscreen to the luxury Overland trim with Nappa leather and a hands-free power liftgate.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV maintained the sleek and sophisticated design of its non-hybrid counterparts, with no gratuitous styling changes to indicate its hybrid nature. The charging port was cleverly integrated into the grille, maintaining the vehicle's clean lines. The Range Rover Sport PHEV started at $79,000, with the test vehicle priced at $93,200 due to additional options like Firenze Red paint and 21-inch aluminum wheels. Inside, the cabin was adorned with high-quality materials, reflecting the vehicle's premium price tag. Front seats were heated, ventilated, and highly adjustable, though the narrow inboard armrests were less comfortable than the center console armrest. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed a tall riding position and excellent thigh support, with features like 4-zone automatic climate control and a panoramic glass roof enhancing the experience.

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, which produced 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. This engine was optional across the lineup, except for the base Latitude. All engines were paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission, with power routed to either the front wheels or all four wheels through various 4WD systems. The Cherokee's off-road capabilities were enhanced by the Active Drive II and Active Drive Lock systems, particularly in the Trailhawk trim. On-road performance was solid, with the turbocharged engine providing good acceleration but being somewhat noisy. The Cherokee's towing capacity was impressive, with the V6 engine capable of towing up to 4,500 pounds.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a 141-hp electric motor and a 13-kWh battery, producing a total of 398 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. Despite Land Rover's claim of a 31-mile all-electric driving range, the test vehicle struggled to stay in EV mode, likely due to factors like climate control usage and hilly terrain. The Range Rover Sport PHEV averaged 25.5 mpg over a 60-mile test loop, a notable improvement over the previous year's supercharged V6 model. The SUV's adaptive air suspension and various driving modes provided a comfortable and athletic driving experience, though the regenerative brakes were grabby. Off-road capabilities remained strong, with the ability to ford 33.4 inches of water and multiple traction settings for different terrains. However, recharging the battery proved frustrating, with the vehicle often not reaching full charge despite being plugged in for extended periods.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee's interior was designed for functionality, with a control layout that allowed drivers to adjust settings without taking their eyes off the road. Storage solutions were plentiful, including deep pockets in the front doors, a tray by the shifter, and a deep center console. The hands-free power liftgate was a useful addition, though the sensor was sometimes finicky. Cargo space was limited, with just 25 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 54 cubic feet with the seats folded, falling short of competitors like the Honda CR-V.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV's cargo space was compromised by the battery placement, reducing the already tight 27.5-cubic-foot space behind the rear seats. The raised cargo floor also made it easier for items to fall out when the tailgate was opened. Despite this, the Range Rover Sport PHEV comfortably accommodated five passengers, with excellent front-seat comfort and a tall riding position for rear-seat passengers. Practical storage was limited, especially with the optional refrigerated center console bin, but the dual-glove-box design helped. The panoramic glass roof and 4-zone automatic climate control added to the overall comfort and appeal of the interior.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee came standard with a 7-inch Uconnect touchscreen on the Latitude and Latitude Plus trims, while higher trims featured an 8.3-inch Uconnect system. Both systems supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and featured the latest version of Uconnect, which offered improved graphics, responsiveness, and pinch-to-zoom functionality. The touchscreen menu was well-organized, with customizable screens and dock buttons for easy access to major features.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV's InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was complex and could be frustrating to use. Despite spending time setting up the system, the reviewer experienced occasional difficulties accessing specific features and functions. The system sometimes behaved unexpectedly, showing information that wasn't requested or reacting slowly to input. The lack of haptic feedback from the touchscreen added to the frustration. While the system provided easy access to primary stereo and climate functions, it required patience and familiarity to use effectively.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee came standard with a comprehensive array of safety features, including front and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera with dynamic guidelines, electronic stability control, electronic roll mitigation, hill-start assist, keyless entry with a panic button, and trailer-sway control. Additional safety and driver-assistance features were available through the SafetyTec Group and Technology Group packages, which included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, rear parking sensors, forward-collision avoidance and mitigation, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, automatic rain-sensing wipers, adaptive cruise control, and a self-parking feature.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV was equipped with numerous advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), which were essential given the potential distractions from the onboard technology. The optional Driver Assist Package included a new steering-assist system, which could be aggressive and cause head-toss when negotiating curves. The lane-keeping assist system also worked too abruptly, leading the reviewer to turn off these features. Crash-test ratings for the Range Rover Sport were unavailable, but its nearly 5,500-pound curb weight provided a significant advantage in collisions.