2020 Lexus GX 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 various aluminum wheel designs. The Laredo trim started at $31,945, with an additional $1,495 destination charge, and 4WD added another $2,000. The Grand Cherokee offered 11 additional trims, each catering to different needs, from style to off-roading capability, luxury, and performance. 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. However, the interior had some drawbacks, such as hard plastic panels and a few build quality issues.

The 2020 Lexus GX, introduced in 2002 and redesigned for the 2010 model year, continued with some new design tweaks. The updated GX featured the hourglass grille design, which looked better on the GX than on other Lexus models. Despite its decade-old design, the GX shared a platform with the Toyota 4Runner, making it incredibly capable. The cabin, however, showed its age with a large, chunky center console and big buttons. The GX was available in three trims: 460, 460 Premium, and 460 Luxury, each offering a range of standard and additional features. The Luxury trim, tested, included premium leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, and a rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a range of engine options, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower. For those seeking more power, there were options for a 360-hp 5.7-liter V8, a 425-hp 6.4-liter V8 in the SRT, and the Trackhawk's 707-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8. An 8-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels, with three 4WD systems available depending on the trim. The Limited X test vehicle featured the Quadra-Drive II system, providing excellent off-road capability. However, the added weight and driveline friction affected fuel economy, with the V6 engine averaging 17.4 mpg in city-heavy driving. The Grand Cherokee excelled on pavement, offering robust acceleration and better-than-expected handling, though the brakes struggled during long descents.

The 2020 Lexus GX 460 was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD. The GX's V8 engine provided a satisfying swell of power in real-world driving. The steering, initially feeling over-boosted, proved to be direct and responsive on the road. The self-leveling air suspension offered a smooth and composed ride, while the 4WD system made the GX highly capable off-road. The GX could tow up to 6,500 pounds and had a tight turning radius of 19 feet. However, fuel economy was not impressive, with the GX averaging 16.3 mpg in combined driving.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a 5-passenger midsize SUV, offered a roomy interior for a family. The power-adjustable and heated front seats were comfortable, but backseat occupants with long legs might find the hard plastic front-seatback panels uncomfortable. The Grand Cherokee provided 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expandable to 68.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat. Storage space was limited, with small door-panel bins and a center console storage bin.

The 2020 Lexus GX offered second-row captain's chairs on the Premium and Luxury trims, with the Luxury trim featuring power-folding third-row seats. The captain's chairs provided easy access to the third row and a natural barrier between kids. However, getting into the third row was challenging for adults. The GX offered 64.7 cubic feet of cargo space with all rear seats folded, less than the Grand Cherokee. The GX's side-opening rear hatch was unique but not particularly advantageous, though the separately opening rear window/hatch was a useful feature.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Higher trims featured a new version of Jeep’s Uconnect technology, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, voice-recognition technology, and a navigation system. Pairing an iPhone to Bluetooth was easy, and the voice recognition system worked well. The test vehicle had a 9-speaker Alpine premium audio system, with higher trims offering a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system.

The 2020 Lexus GX's infotainment system showed its age, lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, it featured a true touchscreen with large buttons for audio, navigation, and climate controls, making it simpler to use than modern Lexus systems. The older Lexus Enform system was straightforward, but the lack of modern smartphone integration was a drawback.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered modern driver-assistance and collision-avoidance technologies, including standard blind-spot monitoring with 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, lane-keeping assist, and rain-sensing wipers. However, the Grand Cherokee received poor safety ratings from the IIHS and a 3-star rollover resistance rating from the federal government.

The 2020 Lexus GX came standard with the Lexus Safety System+, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. It also featured blind-spot monitoring and an available surround-view camera. The GX's great visibility, with large windows and mirrors, added to its safety.