2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2020 Acura MDX

The 2020 Acura MDX had an appearance that was best described as tasteful and fitting, though it didn’t break any new ground in automotive design. It wasn’t the type of SUV to turn heads at a valet stand, but it wouldn’t bring any embarrassment either. The design was utilitarian yet stylish enough, offering a blend of understated luxury.

Acura's Jewel Eye headlights were an early iteration of LED technology in the automotive world, providing a distinctive look and improved functionality. These headlights featured five LED elements per side, enhancing both the aesthetics and the safety of the vehicle. The MDX's front end was characterized by a trapezoidal grille with a prominent Acura logo, presenting an expressive face to the world.

Despite being a three-row SUV, the MDX maintained a sleek, low-slung profile with chiseled details and a fast roofline, complementing its overall aesthetic. Acura's attention to detail was evident in its flawless paint and chrome work, staples of the brand's build quality.

Inside, the MDX continued the theme of modern simplicity, eschewing the excessive padding and stitching found in many luxury interiors. The centerpiece was a dual-screen infotainment system, comprising an 8.0-inch LED screen for navigation and an On Demand Multi-Use Display (ODMD) touchscreen below, offering a variety of functions through an intuitive command wheel and buttons.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L brought a more aggressive and expensive-looking design into the mid-size SUV segment. Though it shared visual cues with the upcoming 2022 Grand Cherokee, the 2021 model was an extended-length version offering a third-row seat and more cargo volume. The familiarity of Jeep's seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and appropriately proportioned body lines made the Grand Cherokee L instantly recognizable.

The Grand Cherokee L offered multiple trims, including the high-end Summit version, which featured amenities like quilted and perforated leather seating and real wood trim. Pricing ranged from $36,995 to $64,235, with the top-end Summit trim packed with features but also prompting some scrutiny due to interior material quality not consistently matching the high price point.

The 2020 Acura MDX came with two powertrain options. The standard version featured a 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 Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). Alternatively, the MDX Sport Hybrid offered a 3.0-liter V6 combined with three electric motors, delivering a total power output of 321 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque, managed by a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Driving the gasoline-only SH-AWD model provided excellent straight-line performance and agile handling, especially productive in corners and curves. The torque-vectoring technology in the SH-AWD system redirected power to the outside wheels during turns, enhancing both stability and driver confidence. This system excelled in accelerating from standstill around corners, ensuring smooth, drama-free traction.

In terms of suspension, the MDX’s four-wheel independent setup absorbed road bumps proficiently, making it a comfortable cruiser for long journeys.

Comparatively, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, generating 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Buyers could select between rear-wheel drive or one of three four-wheel-drive systems. The Grand Cherokee L V6 offered decent acceleration but sounded loud when pushed hard. The eight-speed transmission generally performed well, though it sometimes hesitated to downshift in Auto mode, likely for fuel-saving reasons.

An optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, available only with 4WD, delivered 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque while raising the towing capacity to 7,200 pounds, though fuel efficiency dropped to 17 mpg combined. In our testing, the V6 4WD version averaged 17.8 mpg.

The Grand Cherokee L had multiple off-road modes, including Snow, Mud/Sand, and Rock, with the Summit trim featuring the Quadra-Drive II 4WD system with an electronic locking differential. Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension provided up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance and water fording capability up to 24 inches, making it suitable for off-road adventures.

In everyday driving, the Grand Cherokee L exhibited a smoother ride thanks to its stiffer structure and Quadra-Lift suspension’s control over body motions. Variable-ratio steering and large 20-inch wheels made for competent handling.

The 2020 Acura MDX catered to families, offering functional alternatives once dominated by minivans. Its second-row seats slid and reclined for easier third-row access and flexibility in legroom distribution. Headroom was sufficiently ample in all three rows.

The MDX provided 15.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 43.4 cubic feet with the third row folded flat. Total cargo capacity reached 90.9 cubic feet with all rear seats down, and the load floor remained reasonably flat. Additional storage included a recessed cubby on the cargo area’s left side and covered underfloor storage for smaller items.

Interior conveniences included a large glove box, overhead drop-down sunglass pocket, a flexible center console with USB ports, power outlets, and door panel pockets for water bottles and storage. Tri-zone climate control allowed personalized temperature settings for the driver, front passenger, and rear occupants.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's Summit trim heightened comfort with features like heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a four-zone automatic climate control system. While the small dashboard-mounted vents struggled to cool the cabin quickly, especially under intense heat, the rest of the cabin enjoyed adequate comfort features, such as side window sunshades in the second row.

Second-row captain’s chairs offered generous legroom and comfort, and they were equipped with manual sunshades. These chairs could tip and slide forward to allow access to the third row without removing child safety seats. The third row itself was reasonably comfortable, suited for all but the tallest adults, and offered a good view out due to large side windows.

However, practical storage space for front-seat occupants was somewhat lacking. While second-row passengers had a useful console between captain's chairs, front-row options weren't particularly abundant.

Cargo space behind the third-row seat measured 17.2 cubic feet. Fold down the third row, and this expanded to 46.9 cubic feet; maximum capacity reached 84.6 cubic feet with all rear seats folded flat.

The 2020 Acura MDX featured a simplified trim-level approach, bundling most of its technology into packages. The base model included Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, hands-free Bluetooth, SMS/MMS and email capability, CD/MP3 player, five USB ports, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an eight-speaker audio system.

The Technology Package, adding $5,000, incorporated additional features such as rain-sensing wipers, LED puddle lights, parking sensors, navigation, GPS-linked climate control, remote start, and an upgraded Acura/ELS Studio Premium Audio system with ten speakers. For $6,750, the Advance Package offered even more, including an Active Damper System, LED fog lights, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, surround-view camera, Head-Up Warning, and additional USB ports for third-row passengers.

An optional $2,000 Entertainment Package added a rear DVD entertainment system with wireless headphones and HDMI compatibility.

Conversely, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came with Jeep's latest Uconnect 5 infotainment system, available with either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen. This system provided wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The larger screen in higher trims bridged air vents and climate controls on the dashboard.

Despite a few user-experience quirks, Jeep’s revamped infotainment system offered features like a natural voice-recognition system, which responded well to commands and inquiries. A standout feature was the optional 19-speaker McIntosh high-end audio system, which delivered high-quality sound, especially for bass-heavy music, though the aesthetics didn’t quite match the interior design.

Other advanced tech features included a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel, a digital rearview mirror, a thermal-imaging night vision system, and a Fam Cam for monitoring rear-seat passengers.

The 2020 Acura MDX prioritized safety with standard AcuraWatch, a suite of advanced driver assistance systems including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep 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 included a Head-Up Warning.

The MDX came with front, front-side, side curtain airbags, and a driver’s knee airbag. Stability control, traction control, motion-adaptive steering, and Trailer Stability Assist on AWD models were also included. The vehicle's body structure, termed “Next-Generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE),” aimed to enhance crash protection by absorbing and distributing collision energy.

The MDX received high safety ratings: "good" in all crash-test categories by IIHS, a "superior" rating for front crash prevention, and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, a system combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist, aimed at reducing driver fatigue on long trips. Although effective, the system felt a bit artificial in its corrections.

Additionally, the Jeep offered Intersection Collision Assist, alerting drivers to potential threats from cross-traffic and applying brakes if necessary. Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist helped steer the vehicle into parking spaces while the driver operated other controls.

Official crash-test ratings were not available at the time of writing, but improvements over the outgoing model's aged structure were expected.