2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2020 Volvo XC90

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite its decade-old design, maintained a timeless appeal. Its classic 7-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and various aluminum wheel designs showcased a balanced and detailed aesthetic. 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, but the interior quality left something to be desired with hard plastic panels and some build quality issues.

In contrast, the 2020 Volvo XC90 represented the pinnacle of modern Volvo design. The R-Design trim featured a blacked-out honeycomb grille, black window surrounds, mirrors, a more aggressive chin spoiler, and 22-inch rims. The "Thor's hammer" LED headlights and tall, thin, curving LED taillights were distinctive. The Thunder Grey Metallic paint with a blue hue contrasted beautifully with the beige-leather and aluminum interior. The XC90's design emphasized width and stability, with subtle details like the arching shoulder crease. The interior was luxurious, with options for matte wood trim, wool fabric seats, and power-adjustable thigh extensions and massage functions for the seats.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a range of engines, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 producing 295 horsepower. For 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. 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 a testing loop and 17.4 mpg in city-heavy driving. The Grand Cherokee felt robust on pavement, with good acceleration and handling, but the brakes struggled during long descents.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T5 model produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the T6 added a supercharger for 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The Polestar tune boosted the T6 to 330 hp and 325 lb-ft. The T8 plug-in hybrid had 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, with an 11.6-kWh battery providing up to 18 gas-free miles. However, the XC90's fuel economy was unimpressive, averaging 20 mpg over 800 miles. The T6 AWD was rated at 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined. The XC90's performance was not sporty, with lifeless steering and significant body roll, but it excelled in comfort and quietness.

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 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 limited, with 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 68.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 featured a faster and more responsive Sensus infotainment system, with all climate controls integrated into the touchscreen. The cabin layout was stellar, with seven seats standard and an integrated booster cushion for young children. The first and second rows offered generous legroom and comfort, while the third row was tight and suitable for small children. Cargo space was ample, with up to 85.7 cubic feet with the last two rows folded. The XC90's sightlines from the driver's seat were excellent.

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

The 2020 Volvo XC90 came standard with Volvo Pilot Assist, a semi-automated driving system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The R-Design trim featured a Bowers & Wilkins stereo with 19 speakers and 1,400 watts of power. The portrait-oriented touchscreen made navigation easier, with high-resolution graphics and easy-to-use controls. However, onboard apps were slow to load, and the instrument panel offered limited customization compared to competitors.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered modern driver-assistance and collision-avoidance technologies, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and rain-sensing wipers. However, its safety ratings were poor, 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 federal government gave it a 3-star rollover resistance rating for rear-drive models.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 had top safety ratings from the NHTSA and the IIHS, though the latter's headlight test lowered its rating to a Top Safety Pick. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, a driver-attention monitor, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic-sign recognition. Volvo's commitment to safety was evident in its use of high-strength steels, curtain airbags, and a unique whiplash protection system.