2020 INFINITI QX80 vs 2021 Jeep Cherokee

The 2020 INFINITI QX80, as the flagship SUV in Infiniti’s lineup, was significantly larger than its siblings, the two-row QX50 and three-row QX60. For 2020, Infiniti offered the QX80 in two trim levels: Luxe and Limited. The exterior, refreshed in 2018, boasted a commanding presence with modern features such as welcome lights, power-folding, auto-dimming, heated outside mirrors with integrated LED turn signals, LED fog lights, headlight washers, adaptive front lighting, and LED taillights. The QX80 also featured automatic on/off LED headlights with high beam assist, body-color running boards, a power-sliding tinted moonroof, skid plate, rear privacy glass, roof rails, and stainless steel running board caps. Buyers could choose from nine paint jobs and three interior color schemes, with Limited-grade models receiving matte silver and open-pore Ash wood trim. Despite the upscale cabin filled with soft-touch materials, some trim pieces fell short compared to other SUVs in its class. The infotainment system was updated to a sleeker, more modern display, though the center stack's piano-black plastic was prone to fingerprints.

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 with trim levels, from the entry-level Latitude with 17-inch wheels and FWD to the 80th Anniversary Edition with 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding. Jeep's expertise in roof design was evident with the Cherokee's optional panoramic sunroof. The Cherokee 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 offering suede seat inserts and contrasting stitching, while the Latitude Lux featured perforated Nappa leather upholstery.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a 5.6-liter V8 engine, shared with the Nissan Armada, producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission with a manual-shift mode, the QX80 required premium unleaded fuel. Despite its heavy build, the powertrain managed the load well, though the transmission was smoother in upshifts than downshifts. Fuel efficiency was a weak point, with the RWD model achieving 14 mpg in the city, 20 mpg on the highway, and 16 mpg combined, while the 4WD model dropped to 13 mpg city, 19 mpg highway, and 15 mpg combined. The QX80 Luxe offered both RWD and 4WD, while the Limited came standard with 4WD. The SUV excelled in off-road conditions with Normal, Snow, and Mud drive modes. Two steering systems were available: engine-speed-sensitive power-assist for the Luxe and vehicle-speed-sensitive power-assist for the Limited. The QX80's light wheel feel aided low-speed navigation, but high-speed stability required constant attention. The optional Hydraulic Body Motion Control system and standard rear auto-leveling suspension contributed to a smooth ride and an 8,500-pound towing capacity.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine options: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower for the Latitude and Latitude Plus trims, a 3.2-liter V6 with 271 horsepower, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The turbo-four was optional on the Latitude Lux and Limited trims. Acceleration was modest, with the V6 and turbo-four achieving 0-60 mph in about 7.2 and 7.4 seconds, respectively. All engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission from ZF, which had improved over time. The Cherokee's off-road capabilities shone in the Trailhawk model, featuring Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control. Unlike the Wrangler, the Cherokee was available in FWD, appealing to budget-conscious buyers and rental fleets.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 offered plush, spacious seating in the first two rows, with tighter third-row seating best suited for small children or pets. Standard seating for seven included captain’s chairs in the second row, with an optional 60/40 split-folding bench. The leather-appointed seats were available in perforated semi-aniline leather or Alcantara with quilting, contrast piping, and stitching. The driver’s seat was 10-way power-adjustable with two-way lumbar support, while the passenger’s seat was eight-way power-adjustable with the same lumbar support. Heated and climate-controlled front seats were standard, with heated outboard second-row seats available. The QX80 featured a heated, leather-wrapped, tilting and telescoping steering wheel, a dual-occupant memory system, and entry and exit seating assist. Cargo space was generous, with 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 49.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and 95.1 cubic feet with both rows folded. A power liftgate was standard.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee, positioned between the smaller Renegade and larger Grand Cherokee, competed with compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, it lagged in utility, offering 26 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 55 cubic feet with them folded, less than competitors like the Mazda CX-5 and Ford Escape. The Cherokee provided about 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, competitive with the Escape and slightly larger than the Kia Sportage. The interior layout was straightforward, with higher trims offering more upscale materials. The Latitude featured rubberized black plastic, while the Trailhawk had suede seat inserts and contrasting stitching, and the Latitude Lux boasted perforated Nappa leather upholstery.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 came standard with an 8-inch upper infotainment touch screen and a 7.0-inch lower touch screen, allowing for simultaneous navigation and audio system display. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, satellite radio, Bluetooth, keyless entry, remote start, tri-zone climate control, a moonroof, a CD player, a 12-volt outlet, and four USB ports. Upgrades included two 8.0-inch rear-seat displays, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a WiFi hotspot. A 13-speaker Bose stereo was standard, with a 17-speaker Bose system available. SiriusXM services like Travel Link and Traffic were offered with a four-year trial period. The infotainment system was functional but not particularly modern in design.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system, praised for its user-friendly interface. Available with a 7-inch touchscreen on lower trims and an 8.4-inch touchscreen on higher trims, the system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wired), a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Amazon Alexa integration. Remote start was available, enhancing convenience in various climates. The Uconnect system was consistent across Stellantis brands, providing a familiar experience for users.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80, despite being an older model, offered a solid array of standard and available safety features. Standard equipment included automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and automatic collision notification. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, distance-control assist, and lane-keep assist. The QX80 received "good" scores in moderate overlap front and side crash tests from the IIHS and better side crashworthiness ratings from the NHTSA, though it had a moderate rollover risk.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee did not earn a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS but received "Good" scores in all crashworthiness categories and a G+ score for LATCH child seat anchors. The Cherokee's headlights received mixed ratings, with upper trims rated "Acceptable" and others "Marginal." The NHTSA awarded 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.