2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite its decade-old design, maintained a timeless appeal with its classic 7-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and a variety of aluminum wheel designs. The Limited X trim, priced at just over $50,000, featured a performance vented hood, unique 20-inch wheels, and special leather seats, giving it a sporty yet upscale appearance. However, the interior was marred by hard plastic panels, a squeaky driver’s door panel, and a loose center console lid, which detracted from the overall build quality.

In contrast, the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV maintained a sleek design with no gratuitous styling changes, integrating its charging port seamlessly into the grille. Priced at $93,200 with options, it boasted Firenze Red paint, a black roof, and 21-inch aluminum wheels, enhancing its inherent good looks. Inside, the cabin was filled with quality materials, and the seats offered excellent comfort. However, the vehicle's technology could be frustrating, with occasional unexpected behavior from the infotainment system.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a range of engines, starting with a 295-hp 3.6-liter V6, and going up to a 707-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the Trackhawk. The Limited X trim featured a Quadra-Drive II 4WD system, providing 8.6 inches of ground clearance and various driving modes for off-road capability. Despite its robust acceleration and handling, the Grand Cherokee's brakes struggled during long descents, and its fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 18.3 mpg in testing.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with a 141-hp electric motor, producing 398 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. Although it promised 31 miles of electric range, the vehicle struggled to maintain EV mode, averaging 25.5 mpg on a 60-mile loop. The Range Rover Sport PHEV offered quick acceleration and a comfortable ride, with adaptive air suspension and various driving modes. However, the regenerative brakes were grabby, making smooth stops difficult.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee provided a roomy interior for five passengers, with comfortable front seats and adequate rear-seat support. However, the hard plastic front-seatback panels were uncomfortable for rear passengers, and storage space was limited. Cargo capacity was 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 68.3 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV, while offering excellent front-seat comfort and a tall riding position for rear passengers, suffered from limited cargo space due to the battery placement. The cargo area was reduced to 27.5 cubic feet, and items were prone to falling out when the tailgate was opened. The interior featured a dual-glove-box design and optional refrigerated center console bin, but practical storage was lacking.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with an upgraded Uconnect system available on higher trims. This system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a navigation system, with easy Bluetooth pairing and excellent voice recognition. The test vehicle featured a 9-speaker Alpine audio system, with a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system available on higher trims.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was complex and occasionally frustrating, with unexpected behavior and a lack of haptic feedback. While it provided easy access to primary functions, the system could be confusing, especially for technophobes.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered modern driver-assistance features, including blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. However, its safety ratings were poor, with a Marginal rating for driver-side small-overlap frontal-impact protection and a Poor rating for the front passenger. The rollover resistance rating was also unimpressive.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport included advanced driver-assistance systems, but the steering-assist system could be intrusive. The vehicle's heavy weight and adaptive air suspension helped limit body motions, but head-toss was still an issue. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, but its substantial weight provided some reassurance in a collision.