2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2020 Cadillac XT4

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite its decade-old design, maintained a timeless appeal with its classic 7-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and various aluminum wheel designs. The Grand Cherokee's attention to balance, proportion, and detail was evident, making it a visually appealing SUV. The Limited X trim, priced at just over $50,000, featured a performance vented hood, unique 20-inch wheels, and special heritage-pattern leather seats, giving it a distinctive look. However, the interior materials and build quality left something to be desired, with hard plastic panels, a squeaky driver’s door panel, and a loose-feeling center console storage lid detracting from the overall experience.

In contrast, the 2020 Cadillac XT4, particularly in Premium Luxury trim, exuded a more modern and luxurious vibe. Priced at $45,660, the XT4 featured 20-inch aluminum wheels, a navigation system, and a Bose premium audio system. Its crisp, tailored styling and proper proportions made it one of the most visually appealing Cadillac crossovers. Inside, the XT4 used competitive quality materials, though some elements, like the plain black trim around the power window controls, felt out of place in a luxury vehicle. Overall, the XT4's interior was pleasant, with a few quality shortcuts typical of small luxury SUVs.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a range of engine options, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 producing 295 horsepower. For those seeking more power, there were options like the 360-hp 5.7-liter V8, the 425-hp 6.4-liter V8 in the SRT, and the 707-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the Trackhawk. The Limited X trim came with a Quadra-Drive II 4WD system, 8.6 inches of ground clearance, and Selec-Terrain driving modes, making it capable off-road. However, the added weight and driveline friction of the 4WD system reduced fuel economy, with the V6 averaging 18.3 mpg during testing. On-road, the Grand Cherokee felt robust, handling bumps and cracks well, though its brakes struggled during long descents.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, provided a lively driving experience, though the transmission was sometimes hesitant to downshift. The XT4's FWD model returned 24.8 mpg during testing. The optional twin-clutch AWD system helped mitigate front-wheel slip and torque steer. The XT4's ride and handling were mixed, 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, though the oversized tires offered impressive grip.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a 5-passenger midsize SUV, provided ample space for a family. The power-adjustable and heated front seats were comfortable, though the hard plastic front-seatback panels were uncomfortable for rear passengers. Storage space was limited, with small door-panel bins and a center console storage bin. Cargo space was also on the smaller side, offering 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 68.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 offered a comfortable interior with soft leather, padded armrests, and heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats. The rear passenger compartment was roomy, though the rear seat cushion lacked support. The XT4's air conditioning system was highly effective, quickly cooling the cabin even during a heatwave. The interior featured a clean, minimalistic design with ample storage space, including umbrella holders and an angled wireless smartphone charger. However, cargo space was limited, with 22.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 48.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Higher trims featured an upgraded Uconnect system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, voice-recognition technology, and a navigation system. The voice recognition system was excellent, and the 9-speaker Alpine premium audio system in the test vehicle sounded good. Higher trims offered a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 featured the latest version of the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) system, which was much improved from previous iterations. The 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, WiFi hotspot, and near-field communication pairing to Bluetooth were standard. The system was easy to use, though the screen could be larger, and the climate system was not integrated into the voice-recognition system. The optional 13-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround audio system provided a satisfying listening experience, though the test car lacked some advanced features like a head-up display and rear camera mirror.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered modern driver-assistance and collision-avoidance technologies, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and available semi-autonomous parking assistance. The Advanced Active Safety Group package added adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. However, the Grand Cherokee received poor safety ratings from the IIHS and a 3-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 came standard with forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and the Safety Alert Seat system. 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. The XT4 received a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS had not completed all testing.