2020 Ford Explorer vs 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2020 Ford Explorer was a striking vehicle, more handsome than the Land Rover Discovery, which had borrowed Ford's style years after the previous-generation Explorer debuted in 2011. The 2020 model refined its upscale, utilitarian design by slimming down the body panels, especially at the rear, and giving the SUV a lower, more athletic appearance. The widened headlights, extra-large grille, and italic "Explorer" lettering on the hood's edge created a prominent and recognizable face. The ST version, with its black 21-inch rims, blacked-out trim, red brake calipers, rich Rapid Red paint, and quad exhaust pipes, was particularly eye-catching.

However, the interior of the Explorer was a letdown. Despite the high price tag, the materials felt subpar. The leather felt like low-grade vinyl, and much of the door panels were covered in flimsy, rough-grained plastic. The center stack and console were framed with more hard plastic, and the fake carbon-fiber trim intersected with even more coarse plastic. While the top of the dashboard was padded and the aluminum speaker covers and white stitching added some flair, the overall feel was not luxurious. Compared to competitors like the Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander, the Explorer's interior felt too expensive for what it offered.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite being a decade old, had styling that aged remarkably well. Its classic 7-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, traditional greenhouse, and various aluminum wheel designs showcased a balanced and detailed design. The Grand Cherokee was available in 12 trim levels, each catering to different needs, from style and luxury to off-roading and performance. The Trackhawk version, with its 707-horsepower engine, was priced over $100,000, while the Limited X trim, which I tested, cost just over $50,000.

Inside, the Limited X's perforated leather, dark headliner, and gray trim pieces gave the cabin an upscale appearance. However, the Grand Cherokee had its share of hard plastic panels and surfaces. The cold-weather squeak from the driver's door panel, a loose-feeling center console storage lid, and an insubstantial-feeling turn-signal stalk detracted from the overall build quality. Despite these issues, the Grand Cherokee's interior felt more cohesive and better put together than the Explorer's.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a range of engines and a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) chassis, which provided better weight distribution than the previous front-wheel-drive (FWD) platform. The ST trim, tuned by Ford Performance, featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The ST's powertrain delivered smooth, uninterrupted power, and the chassis provided nimble handling and superb brake feel. The Explorer also offered a 2.3-liter turbo inline-four with 300 horsepower and a gas-electric hybrid option with a net 318 horsepower. Towing capacity varied from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the engine.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 295 horsepower as standard, with options for a 360-horsepower 5.7-liter V8, a 425-horsepower 6.4-liter V8 in the SRT, and a 707-horsepower 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 Quadra-Drive II, an active full-time system with a 2-speed transfer case. The Grand Cherokee's fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 18.3 mpg during testing. On pavement, the Grand Cherokee felt robust, with good acceleration and handling, though the brakes struggled during long descents.

The 2020 Ford Explorer provided ample space for passengers and cargo. On a road trip to Maine, the Explorer comfortably accommodated three adults and their gear. The second row felt like first class, with air vents, USB ports, a center console, and a panoramic moonroof. The third row was spacious enough for six-foot-tall adults on short journeys. Cargo space measured 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second row, and 88 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Explorer's physical knobs and switches made it easy to use, though the thick D-pillars and fuzzy 360-degree cameras created blind spots.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee, as a 5-passenger midsize SUV, felt roomy enough for a family. The power-adjustable and heated front seats were comfortable, though the hard plastic front-seatback panels were uncomfortable for backseat passengers with long legs. The Grand Cherokee offered air conditioning vents, dual USB ports, and a 115-volt power outlet for rear passengers. Storage space was limited, with a center console storage bin, cup holders, a small covered tray, and door-panel bins. Cargo space measured 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 68.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. Factory navigation was standard on all models except the base XLT. Keyless entry, remote start, 3-zone climate control, and SiriusXM satellite radio were also standard. The Premium Technology Package for ST and Platinum models included a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. While the touchscreen was high-res and well-organized, the instrument panel felt unfinished, with wasted screen space and limited customization options. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ semi-automated driving system was not as effective as competitors' systems.

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

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with Ford Co-Pilot 360, which included forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. The Assist+ option added adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking. The Explorer had a passenger front knee airbag. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Explorer as Acceptable in the small overlap test on the driver's side.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered modern driver-assistance and collision-avoidance technologies, including standard blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and available 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 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 the rear-drive Grand Cherokee a 3-star rollover resistance rating.