2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite its decade-old design, maintained a timeless appeal with its traditional Jeep styling cues such as the 7-slot grille and trapezoidal fenders. It presented a balanced appearance that was equally suitable for rugged trails and upscale venues, making it attractive to a diverse range of buyers. The Grand Cherokee's pricing started at $32,150 for the Laredo model and went up to $52,495 for the Summit, with high-performance versions like the SRT and Trackhawk priced even higher. The Limited X model, tested at $53,275, featured a Slate Blue Pearl paint, a sport-themed front bumper, and 20-inch aluminum wheels, giving it a mild-custom look. However, the interior, especially in models priced over $50,000, was criticized for its use of hard plastics, which detracted from the overall premium feel.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, represented a return to Buick's roots with its large, impressive design. It was the largest of Buick's SUV offerings, providing a spacious and comfortable ride for up to seven passengers. The Enclave's pricing ranged from just over $41,000 to just under $55,000, competing with both mainstream and luxury three-row SUVs. The Avenir trim added a unique grille, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels, enhancing its premium appearance. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured a minimalist design with soft, perforated leather and polished accents, though the wood trim was not genuine. The interior was praised for its simplicity and comfort, despite the fussy electronic transmission shifter.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 295-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, providing satisfying acceleration and an EPA-rated 21 mpg in combined driving. However, the test vehicle achieved 19.4 mpg. For those seeking more power, three V8 engines were available, including a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 360 hp, a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 in the SRT with 475 hp, and a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the Trackhawk with 707 hp. The Grand Cherokee offered various 4WD systems, with the Limited X featuring the Quadra-Trac II 4WD. While it excelled off-road, its on-road dynamics were mixed, with impressive grip but excessive suspension movements.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered a choice between FWD and AWD, with a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds. The Enclave's acceleration was strong, and its ride was smooth, thanks to the Avenir Technology Package's premium-tuned suspension. The Enclave achieved an EPA-rated 21 mpg in combined driving, with the test vehicle averaging 21.2 mpg. The suspension provided a comfortable ride across various driving environments, and the steering and brakes were well-calibrated.

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. The front seats were heated and power-adjustable, but lacked ventilation. The interior featured a leather-wrapped steering wheel and padded armrests, though the integration of seat heater controls with the infotainment system was a source of irritation. Rear passengers enjoyed adequate comfort and amenities, while interior storage was decent, with thoughtful touches like grocery bag hooks.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, being one of the largest SUVs in its class, provided ample space for six to seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats with a massaging function, along with a heated steering wheel. The center console offered ample storage, and the third-row seat was genuinely useful. The Enclave boasted 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 97.6 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded. The cabin was praised for its quietness, thanks to Buick's QuietTuning efforts.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and more. While the system was user-friendly, the ride's bounciness could make it difficult to select virtual buttons. The test vehicle included a 9-speaker Alpine sound system, though higher trims offered a superior 19-speaker Harman Kardon system. Unique to Jeep, the Off-Road Pages app provided valuable off-roading information.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations with quick response times and a simple interface. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. However, the 8-inch touchscreen was the largest available, and the sound system was less impressive compared to competitors. The Enclave offered a rear camera mirror, providing a live video view of what's behind the vehicle.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three collections of ADAS, with ProTech I standard on all trims. ProTech II and Advanced ProTech II added features like forward-collision warning and adaptive cruise control. Despite these features, the Grand Cherokee received a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and poor ratings from the IIHS in certain tests.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety features were limited to higher trims, with the Driver Confidence Plus Package standard on Premium and Avenir trims. This package included forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and more. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and high marks from the IIHS, though its headlight performance was rated as Marginal.