2020 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2020 Ford Explorer boasted a fresh yet familiar design that looked more refined and upscale compared to its predecessors. It addressed some criticisms by trimming excess heft, particularly toward the rear, resulting in a sleeker, more athletic appearance. The widened headlights, enormous grille, and the distinct italic "Explorer" badge on the hood created a memorable front profile. Although the tiny taillights were a minor flaw, the overall proportions of the Explorer were undeniably on point, contributing to its strong presence whether parked or in motion.

Inside, however, the Explorer was somewhat disappointing. Despite its price tag, which reached $60,000 on the loaded ST trim, materials felt less premium than expected. The leather felt more like low-grade vinyl, and the door panels were saturated with rough, hard plastic, giving the interior a less luxurious feel than some competitors at similar price points. Even though it offered a lot of amenities, such as aluminum speaker covers and white stitching to break up the monotony, the interior overall didn’t live up to the Explorer's exterior appeal.

On the other hand, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee maintained its status as a timelessly stylish SUV more than a decade after its initial launch. Blending rugged utility with upscale sophistication, the Grand Cherokee featured large wheels positioned at the corners, flared fenders, and an overall balanced design. It successfully encapsulated what an SUV should look like if it isn’t an off-road-focused Jeep Wrangler.

The Grand Cherokee was versatile, fitting into multiple categories: mainstream, luxury, and performance SUVs. Different trims catered to a wide range of customers—from the affordable Laredo, upscale Overland, Summit, and even performance-tuned SRT and Trackhawk models. The Summit trim, in particular, featured the Platinum Series Group, enhancing the premium look with body-color mirror caps, door handles, side sills, and lower bumpers matched with platinum chrome finishes.

Inside, the Summit trim's cabin was undeniably luxurious with quilted leather seats, genuine wood, and real aluminum touches. A thick-rimmed wood-and-leather steering wheel and partially digital instrumentation added to the luxury feel. However, some outdated switchgear and non-flush panels recalled earlier designs, hinting that a redesign was due.

For the 2020 Ford Explorer, the RWD chassis was a major upgrade, offering better weight distribution and handling compared to the older FWD model. Ford Performance engineering significantly improved the suspension and steering, particularly on the ST trim. The ride quality was balanced—not plush, but competent even on large wheels. The Explorer ST was nimble with precise steering, sharp cornering, and strong brake performance, all key benefits of its superior chassis setup.

The ST's 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine delivered 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque via a 10-speed automatic transmission. It offered smooth and powerful acceleration, with occasional jerks during downshifting. The engine's performance was impressive, particularly in Sport mode, making the Explorer ST stand out against similarly priced non-luxury SUVs. Other available engines included a 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four producing 300 hp and a gas-electric hybrid for the Limited trim, generating 318 hp but with less impressive fuel economy benefits compared to other hybrids.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee began with a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine that produced 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine provided adequate performance and a towing capacity of up to 6,200 pounds.

For those craving more power, the Grand Cherokee offered an optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, achieving a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,200 pounds. Despite its significant fuel consumption, the V8 enhanced the Grand Cherokee’s driving experience with a satisfying roar and strong acceleration. The Quadra-Trac II 4WD system and Quadra-Lift air suspension increased off-road capability, providing up to 4.1 inches of adjustability and various terrain settings.

While the V8-equipped Grand Cherokee excelled in off-road scenarios, handling mountainous terrain with ease, the air suspension could feel bouncy on uneven city roads. Despite this, it offered a tight turning radius and robust braking capabilities, making it versatile for both urban and rugged environments.

During a road trip, the 2020 Ford Explorer proved to be spacious and accommodating. The vehicle offered plenty of room for passengers and cargo, with second-row captain's chairs and a panoramic moonroof contributing to a first-class experience. The third row could comfortably seat adults for short trips, though the bench was too flat for extended comfort. Cargo capacity was impressive, measuring 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second row, and a class-leading 88 cubic feet with all seats folded.

In comparison, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee provided supportive seating with its Signature Leather-Wrapped Interior Package, although at a premium cost of $4,995. The front seats offered eight-way power adjustment and heating/ventilation options, controlled via the Uconnect system. The rear seats were comfortable, but legroom could be tight for taller passengers. Cargo space behind the rear seats measured 36.3 cubic feet, expanding to 68.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While the Jeep had ample practical features like grocery bag hooks and storage bins around the spare tire, it fell short in overall interior storage.

The 2020 Ford Explorer featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Sync 3, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi as standard. The Platinum and ST trims carried a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. While the interface was user-friendly and capable of displaying massaging seat settings and navigation, it lacked some customization options. Ford’s Co-Pilot360 Assist+ was adequate but not exceptional in adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping functions.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s Uconnect 4C with Nav system delivered a strong performance in terms of user experience, responsiveness, and graphics. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Additionally, integration with Amazon Alexa allowed for remote start commands. The Grand Cherokee’s ADAS included essential features like adaptive cruise control and emergency braking, but it did not match the digital sophistication expected in more recent models.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came with Ford Co-Pilot 360 as standard, boasting features like forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. The adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking offered additional safety layers, but the system had its quirks. While not yet fully tested by NHTSA, the Explorer earned an "Acceptable" rating in the IIHS small overlap test on the driver's side.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee had mixed safety ratings. While it earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA for its 4WD variant, it fared poorly in IIHS tests, earning "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings in small overlap frontal-impact collisions. Standard on the Summit trim, the ProTech II Package included a comprehensive list of safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring.