2021 Jeep Cherokee vs 2020 Buick Encore GX

The 2020 Buick Encore GX was slightly larger than its predecessor, the Encore, in nearly every dimension. It was 2.7 inches longer, 1.3 inches wider, and 1.8 inches taller, with a 1.6-inch longer wheelbase and a wider front and rear track. Buick invested considerable effort into revising the exterior styling of the GX, featuring a larger grille, revised headlights and taillights, and a completely reworked rear end. This gave the Encore GX a more mature and complete appearance compared to the stubby, notchy look of the Encore.

Inside, the Encore GX's cabin mirrored the exterior's mature styling. While it initially appeared similar to the smaller Encore, closer inspection revealed a high level of care, style, and fit and finish. Though not as upscale as the Mazda CX-30, it felt nicer than the Hyundai Kona. The trim levels—Preferred, Select, and Essence—offered various features, with the Essence trim adding unique chrome bumper accents, leather seating, and a 120-volt power outlet. The ST package on the Essence trim added sporty elements like a unique grille and 18-inch wheels.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's styling had evolved since its debut, with its short grille opening and swept-back headlights becoming more accepted over time. The exterior appearance varied significantly depending on the trim level. The entry-level Latitude with 17-inch wheels and FWD looked basic, while the 80th Anniversary Edition with 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding looked much more refined. Jeep's optional panoramic sunroof, which covered the entire top surface, was a standout feature.

The Cherokee's design ensured it stood out in a crowded field of crossover SUVs, bearing a resemblance to the larger Jeep Grand Cherokee from the front. The interior layout was simple and businesslike, with higher trims like the Trailhawk and Latitude Lux offering more upscale materials such as suede seat inserts and perforated Nappa leather upholstery. The Cherokee's cabin was cleanly designed, focusing on functionality rather than luxury or technology.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX came standard with a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT for the FWD powertrain. The test model featured a 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque, also paired with a CVT for FWD, but available with AWD through a nine-speed automatic transmission. The AWD version saw a slight drop in torque to 162 lb-ft. The 1.3-liter engine provided solid power for its size, though it felt underwhelming at low speeds and exhibited some roughness typical of three-cylinder engines. Despite this, the overall driving experience was smooth, with responsive steering and a well-weighted suspension that handled bumps and potholes well. The Encore GX's composure and handling at higher speeds were impressive, allowing for confident cornering.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine options depending on the trim level. The Latitude and Latitude Plus came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine making 180 horsepower. The 3.2-liter V-6 engine, available on higher trims, significantly improved output to 271 hp. The top-tier engine was the 2.0-liter GMET4 turbocharged four-cylinder, producing 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, available on the Latitude Lux and Limited trims. Despite these options, none of the engines offered outstanding acceleration, with 0-60 mph times around 7.2 seconds for the V6 and 7.4 seconds for the turbo-four. All Cherokee models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission from ZF, which had proven to be a capable and fuel-saving transmission. The Cherokee Trailhawk model excelled in off-road capability, thanks to features like Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control. The Cherokee was also available in FWD, making it a more affordable option for rental fleets and budget-conscious buyers.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX offered increased space in the rear seats and cargo area compared to the standard Encore. The rear doors were larger, and the rear seat's legroom and headroom were improved. With the rear seats up, the Encore GX provided 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 50.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. This was more than the standard Encore but slightly less than the larger Buick Envision. The rear legroom allowed for easy folding of the rear seats without adjusting the front seats. The rear load floor could be lowered to create more space, and the center console and door cubbies offered ample storage for everyday items.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee filled a space between the smaller Renegade and the larger Grand Cherokee, competing with compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, it fell short in terms of utility, offering 26 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 55 cubic feet with the seats folded, which was less than competitors like the Mazda CX-5, Ford Escape, and Kia Sportage. The Cherokee provided about 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, making it competitive in that metric. The interior layout was simple and functional, with higher trims offering more upscale materials. The cabin was designed to keep the driver's attention on the road, with a clean and straightforward layout.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX came standard with GM’s latest touchscreen infotainment system, featuring an intuitive layout, crisp graphics, and responsive performance. The system allowed for customization of the main menu and included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Optional features included a wireless charging pad, navigation, and a rear camera mirror. The available head-up display (HUD) projected information via a small plastic display that deployed from the dash, a cost-cutting measure that avoided the need for a special windshield.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee featured the Stellantis brands' Uconnect infotainment system, available with 7-inch and 8.4-inch touchscreens depending on the trim level. The system was praised for its ease of use and lack of latency issues. The Cherokee supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though only via a wired connection, and offered a 4G WiFi hotspot and Amazon Alexa integration. Remote start was also available, a useful feature in various climates. The Uconnect system was consistent across Stellantis vehicles, providing a familiar and user-friendly experience for Cherokee buyers.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX came standard with a suite of advanced safety features, including forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian detection, and a following distance indicator. The Teen Driver System allowed for speed and volume limitations on a secondary set of keys. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring with lane change alert and rear cross-traffic alert. The available surround-view camera system provided clear, high-quality images and was helpful for parking and maneuvering in tight spaces. The Encore GX also included standard front and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee did not earn a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS but received top "Good" scores in every crashworthiness category and a G+ score for the ease of use of the LATCH child seat anchors. The Cherokee's headlights received mixed ratings, with upper trims rated "Acceptable" and others rated "Marginal." The NHTSA gave the Cherokee a four-star overall safety rating, with a slight demerit for front driver side crash protection. Standard safety features included lane departure warning with lane keep assist, full-speed forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control with stop and go was available only on the Limited and Trailhawk trims.