2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Chevrolet Trax

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 across various demographics. Prices for the Grand Cherokee started at $32,150 for the Laredo trim and went up to $52,495 for the Summit trim, with high-performance SRT and Trackhawk versions priced at $68,895 and $87,400, respectively. The tested Grand Cherokee Limited X, priced at $53,275, featured a ventilated hood design, sport-themed front bumper, and 20-inch aluminum wheels, giving it a mild-custom appearance.

In contrast, the 2021 Chevrolet Trax, based on the 2015 model, received updates in 2017 and continued to carry those design elements into 2021. The 2017 model introduced standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the 2020 update improved the infotainment system. For 2021, the Premier trim was dropped, leaving LS and LT trims. The LS trim included 16-inch painted aluminum wheels, remote keyless entry, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The LT trim added features like heated side mirrors, roof rails, and upgraded seats. Various styling packages and driver assistance features were available for the LT trim.

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 achieved 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. On pavement, the Grand Cherokee's driving dynamics were mixed, with impressive grip but excessive suspension movements. The steering and brakes were average, but the SUV's traditional feel was appreciated.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax featured a single engine option: a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder producing 138 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. This engine provided adequate performance for city driving but struggled at highway speeds and during passing maneuvers. The Trax had a firm ride, which could be harsh over potholes and bumps, but its tight turning radius made it maneuverable in tight spaces. Rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30 offered more comfortable rides and better driving dynamics. Chevrolet planned to introduce a retuned engine for the 2022 Trax, increasing horsepower to 155 while maintaining the same torque.

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 comfortable, and armrests were padded. Rear passengers, including children, found the backseat comfortable, with adequate legroom and rear air conditioning vents. Interior storage was decent, with a handy tray in the center console and sizable door-panel bins.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax provided ample headroom and legroom in both rows, with supportive front seats but less comfortable rear seats. The Trax featured multiple storage trays in each door and low cupholder placement for large water bottles. Cargo space measured 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The front passenger seat could fold flat for larger items. These cargo figures were average for the subcompact SUV segment, and there was no option for a power liftgate.

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

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax came with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, introduced in 2020. This system featured easy-to-follow menus, vivid graphics, and hard buttons and dials for convenience. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, and an available 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, semi-autonomous parking assist, and rain-sensing wipers. Despite these features, the Grand Cherokee received a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Marginal rating for driver protection from the IIHS.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax received a five-star rating from the NHTSA but did not earn a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS. Standard safety features included airbags and a backup camera. The LT Convenience Package added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and rear parking sensors. However, the Trax lacked advanced safety features like forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning, which were standard or available on many rivals.