2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite its decade-old design, maintained a timeless appeal. It showcased traditional Jeep styling cues like a 7-slot grille and trapezoidal fenders, presenting a balanced appearance suitable for both rugged trails and upscale settings. This versatility made it attractive to a diverse range of buyers. Prices for the Grand Cherokee started at $32,150 for the Laredo and went up to $52,495 for the Summit, with high-performance versions like the SRT and Trackhawk priced at $68,895 and $87,400, respectively. The tested Limited X model, priced at $53,275, featured a Slate Blue Pearl paint, ventilated hood design, sport-themed front bumper, and 20-inch aluminum wheels, giving it a mild-custom appearance.

However, the interior of the Grand Cherokee, especially models priced over $50,000, was a letdown. While premium materials were used, they were applied over a foundation that lacked substance, with an abundance of hard plastic becoming more irritating as the price increased. The Limited X model, despite its attractive exterior, failed to impress with its interior quality.

Volkswagen completely overhauled the Tiguan for the 2018 model year, addressing its previous size and price issues. The 2020 Tiguan retained its stylish and conservatively German design, with clean lines and a horizontal grille connecting the headlights. The interior, however, was plain, with dull surfaces and hard black plastic, a far cry from Volkswagen's previous interior excellence. The focus seemed to have shifted to electronics, with an optional digital dashboard and a glass-covered touchscreen infotainment system being the highlights.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee came equipped with a standard 295-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, offering satisfying acceleration and an EPA-rated 21 mpg in combined driving. However, the test vehicle managed only 19.4 mpg. For those seeking more power, three V8 engines were available: a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 in the SRT with 475 hp and 470 lb-ft, and a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the Trackhawk with 707 hp and 645 lb-ft, capable of 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The Grand Cherokee offered various 4WD systems, with the Limited X featuring the Quadra-Trac II 4WD system, making it capable off-road despite its 20-inch wheels and all-season tires. However, its on-road driving dynamics were mixed, with impressive grip but excessive suspension movements and average steering and brakes.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Tiguan's powertrain offered snappy throttle response and minimal turbo lag, but it was only moderately quick due to its weight, ranging from 3,757 to 3,847 pounds. The Tiguan's engine was relatively quiet, and the cabin was well-insulated from wind noise, though some road noise could filter through on rough surfaces. The Tiguan's handling was impacted by its larger size, with a longer wheelbase making it less nimble. The suspension was soft, ensuring a comfortable ride, but the steering was too light even in sport mode.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered seating for five and cargo space of 36.3 cubic feet behind the backseat, expanding to 68.3 cubic feet with the backseat folded down. Heated and 8-way power-adjustable front seats ensured comfort, though the Limited X lacked ventilated seats. The thick, leather-wrapped steering wheel was a pleasure to grip, and rear passengers had adequate legroom and amenities like air conditioning vents and USB ports. Interior storage was decent, with a handy tray in the center console and sizable door-panel bins.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in practicality, with a second row of seats that could slide up to seven inches, making the third row useful. Front-drive Tiguans had a standard third row, while AWD models offered it as an option. The third row, though not spacious, was roomier than many in larger vehicles. The split second-row seats folded flat, providing 65.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row collapsed, and 73.5 cubic feet in two-row models. The Tiguan's front seats offered plenty of hip and shoulder room, and the abundant glass and seating position made it feel roomier than its numbers suggested.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system, known for its speed, graphics, and ease of use. The Limited X trim included an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, and SiriusXM Guardian connected services. A 4G LTE WiFi data plan was available, supporting up to eight devices. The test vehicle had a 9-speaker Alpine premium sound system, though a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system was available in higher trims. Unique to Jeep's Uconnect was the Off-Road Pages app, providing information for off-roading excursions.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan's infotainment system, MIB II, was set to be replaced by MIB3 in 2021. The current system, however, was already one of the best on the market, with a 6.5-inch touchscreen in the base S trim and an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen in higher trims. The Tiguan S had a single USB-C port, while higher trims had USB-A ports and a wireless charging pad. VW's Digital Cockpit, available on top SEL trims, was a fully digital instrument panel that could be customized and reconfigured. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a WiFi hotspot.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three collections of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). ProTech I, standard on all trims, included a reversing camera, parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. ProTech II added low-speed forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Advanced ProTech II included full-speed forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, semi-autonomous parking assist, and rain-sensing wipers. Despite these features, the Grand Cherokee had unimpressive crash-test ratings, with a 4-star overall rating from NHTSA and poor ratings from IIHS.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan improved its standard safety package, adding forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assistance and LED headlights with automatic high beams were reserved for the top SEL trim. All Tiguan models came with Car-Net, a telematics package offering remote locking and unlocking, status checks, and vehicle location. Additional features included real-time parking information and geofencing services. The Tiguan was rated a Top Safety Pick by IIHS for SEL Premium models with LED headlights, though most Tiguans had poor-rated halogen headlights.