2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

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 to luxury and performance. The Limited X trim, priced at just over $50,000, featured a performance vented hood, unique 20-inch wheels, and special leather seats. However, the interior had some drawbacks, such as hard plastic panels and a few build quality issues.

In contrast, the 2020 Lincoln Navigator stood out with its chrome and brightwork, differentiating it from the Ford Expedition. The Navigator featured unique front and rear styling, the Lincoln Embrace lighting system, and a lattice-type grille with an illuminated star. The new Reserve Monochromatic Package added a custom look with body-color enhancements and 22-inch black-painted wheels. The test vehicle, a standard-length Navigator Reserve with 4WD, was priced at $92,385. Inside, the Dark Slate leather interior, 30-way Perfect Position front seats, and mid-century modern styling cues created a luxurious atmosphere. High-quality materials and a panoramic glass roof further enhanced the upscale feel.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a range of engines, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 producing 295 horsepower. For more power, options included 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 had Quadra-Drive II, an active full-time system with a 2-speed transfer case, 8.6 inches of ground clearance, and Selec-Terrain driving modes. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Grand Cherokee's fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 18.3 mpg on the testing loop. On pavement, the SUV felt robust, with good acceleration and handling, though the brakes struggled during long descents.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator featured a single engine choice, a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 generating 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission transferred power to the rear wheels, with 4WD available. Lincoln Drive Modes tailored the powertrain to specific driving conditions, and the Navigator's towing capacity reached 8,700 pounds with RWD and 8,300 pounds with 4WD. The Pro Trailer Backup Assist system made towing easier. The Navigator's acceleration was strong, though the engine note lacked the V8 rumble. Fuel economy averaged 16.4 mpg on the testing loop. The SUV's adaptive damping suspension provided excellent body motion control, though impact harshness was an issue with 22-inch wheels. Around town, the Navigator felt large but manageable with its tight turning radius and parking assist system.

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 found the hard plastic front-seatback panels uncomfortable. Storage space was limited, with small bins and a center console storage bin. Cargo space was also on the stingy side, with 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 68.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required climbing up into the SUV, but once inside, passengers found plenty of room to stretch out. The test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position front seats were exceptionally comfortable, though finding the right settings took time. The second row offered a choice between a three-person bench or captain's chairs, with the latter option including a large center console. The third-row seat provided ample legroom and thigh support. Cargo volumes were class-leading, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 103.3 cubic feet with all seats folded. The longer Navigator L offered even more space.

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, which included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, voice-recognition technology, and a navigation system. Pairing an iPhone XS to Bluetooth was easy, and the voice recognition system worked well. The test vehicle had a 9-speaker Alpine premium audio system, while higher trims offered a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was less impressive, taking time to load content. However, it included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and wireless device charging. "Phone As A Key" technology allowed the smartphone to function as the vehicle key. The voice recognition system required specific command pathways. The test vehicle's 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system provided a compelling audio experience. Additional technologies included a surround-view camera system and a head-up display, though the optional Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system was not included.

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, 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 NHTSA.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot360 collection of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Reserve trim added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though the RWD model had a 3-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS had not tested the 2020 model.