2020 Subaru Ascent vs 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite its decade-old design, had styling that aged remarkably well. It featured a classic 7-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and a traditional greenhouse, all contributing to its balanced and detailed appearance. The Laredo trim started at $31,945, with an additional $1,495 destination charge, and 4WD added another $2,000. The Grand Cherokee was available in 12 trim levels, each catering to different needs, from style to off-roading capability, luxury, and performance. The Limited X trim, priced at just over $50,000, included features like 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.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent, resembling a puffed-up Forester, was practical and utilitarian. It featured gray plastic cladding for protection, an oversized grille, exaggerated fender flares, and robust roof rails. The base model started at $31,995, with the Premium trim at $34,395, Limited at $39,345, and Touring at $45,045. The Touring trim, tested at $46,285, included premium leather, a panoramic sunroof, and special wood trim. The Abyss Blue Pearl paint and Java Brown leather interior added a stylish touch. The Ascent's interior was more upscale than previous Subaru models, with quality materials and thoughtful details. CarGurus recommended the Premium trim with option packages for a similar look to the Touring at a lower price.

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 trim had the Quadra-Drive II system, 8.6 inches of ground clearance, Selec-Terrain driving modes, and hill descent control. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Grand Cherokee's fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 18.3 mpg on the test loop and 17.4 mpg in city-heavy driving. The Grand Cherokee excelled on pavement, with robust acceleration and better-than-expected handling, though the brakes struggled during long descents.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), and all-wheel drive (AWD). With 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, it provided good acceleration. However, the Ascent's fuel economy fell short, averaging 18.9 mpg compared to the EPA estimate of 22 mpg. The Ascent's handling was not as sporty as expected, with numb steering and a suspension that struggled on undulating surfaces. The CVT produced uneven power delivery, and the shifter felt cheap. Despite these issues, the Ascent was comfortable on freeways and capable off-road, thanks to its Active Torque Split AWD system, X-Mode off-road traction system, hill descent control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a 5-passenger midsize SUV, felt roomy enough for a family. The power-adjustable and heated front seats were comfortable, but the hard plastic front-seatback panels were uncomfortable for backseat passengers. Storage space was limited, with small door-panel 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 Subaru Ascent offered comfort, especially in the Touring trim. The leather seats were heated and ventilated, and the steering wheel was heated. The driver’s seat had a 10-way power adjustment with a manual thigh support extension. The front seats provided significant track travel, making the Ascent appealing to tall people. The dashboard had a useful shelf and ambient lighting, though the controls looked dated. The Ascent offered a choice of a second-row bench seat or captain’s chairs, with the latter available in Premium and Limited trims. The third-row seat was relatively comfortable, with easy access and acceptable space for shorter trips. Cargo space was generous, with 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 47 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86 cubic feet with the second row folded.

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, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, voice recognition, and navigation. Pairing an iPhone was easy, and the voice recognition system worked well. The test car had a 9-speaker Alpine audio system, with higher trims offering a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent included a Starlink infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and a CD player. Premium trim added an 8-inch touchscreen, text-messaging capability, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and Starlink Safety and Security connected services. The Touring trim had a high-resolution screen and navigation. The voice-control system was outdated and struggled with natural commands. The navigation system had issues with accuracy, but Bluetooth pairing and streaming were easy. The premium Harman Kardon speakers provided rich sound quality. The Ascent Touring offered a 180-degree front camera view, a 180-degree rear camera view, and a PIN Code Vehicle Access system for active lifestyles.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered modern driver-assistance and collision-avoidance technologies, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and 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, with a Marginal rating for small-overlap frontal-impact protection for the driver and a Poor rating for the front passenger from the IIHS. The rear-drive model had a 3-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent, built on Subaru’s latest global platform, received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The EyeSight system included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Premium trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while Limited included LED steering-responsive headlights and reverse automatic braking. The EyeSight Assist Monitor projected alerts onto the windshield, and the rear-seat reminder system helped prevent leaving important items in the backseat. Starlink Safety Plus connected services included automatic collision notification, SOS emergency calling, and quick access to roadside assistance.