2021 Jeep Cherokee vs 2020 Acura MDX

The 2020 Acura MDX was known for its understated elegance. It wasn't the type of vehicle to turn heads in a parking lot, nor was it a showstopper, but it managed to blend in seamlessly without shaming its owner. The MDX featured Acura’s signature Jewel Eye LED headlights, which added both functionality and a premium look to the front of the vehicle. The headlights, arranged horizontally with five LED elements per side, flanked a trapezoidal grille adorned with a substantial Acura logo, embodying an expressive front fascia.

For a three-row SUV, the MDX was pleasantly sleek and low-slung with chiseled details and an impressively fast roofline. Acura maintained its strength in achieving flawless paint and chrome application, enhancing the overall exterior appeal. Internally, the MDX pursued a modern and simplistic aesthetic without overindulgent padding or stitching. The center stack garnered attention with its twin infotainment screens, an 8.0-inch LED display for navigation, and the On Demand Multi-Use Display (ODMD) touchscreen, accompanied by a trio of buttons and a command wheel. The materials and fit-and-finish inside exuded a feeling of solid craftsmanship and quality, with knobs and switches providing a satisfying tactile response.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee, on the other hand, improved on its once-controversial design over time. While its short grille and swept-back headlights remained points of contention, familiarity over the years had softened initial reactions, leading to an appreciation of its proportions. The Cherokee’s appearance varied significantly depending on the trim level. An entry-level Latitude with 17-inch wheels and front-wheel drive resembled an average rental car, whereas an 80th Anniversary Edition with 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding offered a more refined look.

Jeep’s distinct ability to make the most out of a roof design continued with the Cherokee's optional panoramic sunroof that spanned the entire top surface. This feature contributed to the Cherokee standing out in parking lots, distinctly different amidst the myriad of crossover SUVs, while its front design bore a striking resemblance to the larger Grand Cherokee.

The 2020 Acura MDX offered two powertrain options. The standard model came equipped with a naturally-aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Buyers could choose between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The MDX Sport Hybrid variant featured a 3.0-liter V6 engine combined with three electric motors, resulting in a system output of 321 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque, and it utilized a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission along with all-wheel drive.

Driving the gas-only model with Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, the MDX delivered impressive straight-line performance, with responsive acceleration. The vehicle’s transmission was so well-tuned that selecting the appropriate drive mode—Comfort or Sport—provided seamless shifts. The SH-AWD system incorporated torque-vectoring technology, enhancing cornering and handling by directing power to the outside wheel during turns, making it surprisingly nimble for its size. This feature was especially noticeable when accelerating from a standstill around a corner, allowing the vehicle to smoothly pull through without drama or loss of tire grip. The MDX's four-wheel independent suspension effectively absorbed road bumps, providing a comfortable ride.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine choices based on the trim level. The base engines on the Latitude and Latitude Plus trims were a 2.4-liter four-cylinder motor delivering 180 horsepower. A more powerful 3.2-liter V6 produced 271 horsepower, while the top-tier option was a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. This engine was available in the new Latitude Lux trim and the Limited trim.

In terms of acceleration, the Cherokee’s engines were competent but not exceptional. Testing showed that the V6 engine could propel the vehicle from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.2 seconds, while the turbo-four achieved the same in roughly 7.4 seconds. These numbers were adequate but unlikely to excite high-speed enthusiasts. All Cherokee models sported a nine-speed automatic transmission from ZF, known for its fuel-saving capabilities and much better performance than the CVTs used by some competitors.

For off-road enthusiasts, the Cherokee Trailhawk model stood out. With features like Jeep Active Drive Lock, a 56:1 crawling ratio, and Selec-Speed Crawl Control, the Trailhawk demonstrated surprising off-road prowess, maintaining a steady speed on steep inclines and maneuvering through obstacles with ease. Unlike the Wrangler, the Cherokee offered a front-wheel-drive option to cater to price-sensitive buyers and rental fleets.

The 2020 Acura MDX catered to families by incorporating several functional features once exclusive to minivans. The vehicle's sliding and reclining second-row seats facilitated easier access to the third row and allowed adjustment of legroom as needed. The MDX's three-row seating arrangement offered decent headroom across all rows.

Cargo space in the MDX was versatile, with 15.8 cubic feet available behind the third row, expandable to 43.4 cubic feet when the third-row seats were folded flat. The second row also folded down, increasing the cargo capacity to a substantial 90.9 cubic feet. Additional storage included a recessed cubby hole in the cargo area and a covered underfloor compartment. The front of the MDX housed a spacious glove box, an overhead drop-down sunglass pocket, a flexible center console with ample space for devices, and four door panels with bottle pockets and extra storage. Second-row passengers had cupholders and seatback pouches, and third-row occupants enjoyed armrest storage and cup holders. The MDX featured a tri-zone climate control system for customized temperature settings in different cabin areas.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee, as a compact SUV, competed with models like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, it lagged behind in terms of utility. With only 26 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 55 cubic feet with the seats folded, the Cherokee fell short of competitors like the Mazda CX-5, Ford Escape, and Kia Sportage, which offered more generous cargo capacities.

The Cherokee’s cabin provided about 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, making it competitive in its class. The interior layout was straightforward and functional, devoid of unnecessary luxuries or technological distractions. Trim levels significantly influenced the interior's perceived quality, with the base Latitude trim featuring basic rubberized plastic and higher trims like the Trailhawk boasting suede seat inserts, and the Latitude Lux offering perforated Nappa leather upholstery.

The 2020 Acura MDX offered a simplified trim structure packed with technology features. Even the base model came well-equipped with Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SMS/MMS text messaging, a CD/MP3 player, five USB ports, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an eight-speaker audio system.

Higher trims introduced more advanced technology. The Technology Package included rain-sensing windshield wipers, LED puddle lights, parking sensors, navigation with real-time traffic, GPS-linked climate control, remote engine start, and an Acura/ELS Studio Premium Audio system with 10 speakers. The Advance Package added features like an Active Damper System suspension, LED fog lights, enhanced seat ventilation and heating, a surround-view camera system, and additional USB ports. An Entertainment Package could be added to the Technology or Advance packages, offering a rear DVD entertainment system with wireless headphones and additional speakers.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee utilized the Stellantis brands' acclaimed Uconnect infotainment system, known for its user-friendly and responsive interface. The Cherokee offered two screen sizes: a 7-inch touchscreen for lower trims and an 8.4-inch display for higher trims. Both screens supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (though wired), a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Amazon Alexa integration. Remote start was available, enhancing convenience regardless of climate.

The Uconnect system’s standardization across different Stellantis vehicles meant familiarity and ease of use for buyers, providing a cohesive user experience irrespective of the vehicle model.

The 2020 Acura MDX featured AcuraWatch as standard, incorporating adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Technology Package added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Advance Package introduced Head-Up Warning. Other safety features included a rearview camera, front and side airbags, stability control, Trailer Stability Assist, tire pressure monitoring, LATCH mounts, and a theft-deterrent system.

Acura’s Next-Generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) Body Structure was designed to absorb crash impacts, safeguarding occupants by channeling energy through the vehicle frame. The MDX received the highest “Good” ratings in all crash-test categories from IIHS, a “Superior” rating for front crash prevention, and an “Acceptable” rating for headlights and LATCH ease of use. The NHTSA awarded the MDX a five-star overall safety rating.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee did not earn top safety awards from IIHS but scored “Good” in all crashworthiness categories and a “G+” for LATCH ease of use. However, its headlight ratings varied, with only higher trims receiving an “Acceptable” rating. NHTSA gave the Cherokee a four-star overall rating, with a minor demerit for driver-side crash protection.

Standard safety features across all trims included lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring. However, adaptive cruise control was limited to the Limited and Trailhawk trims and required an option package for the Trailhawk.