2021 Honda Odyssey vs 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

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 environments. Prices ranged from $32,150 for the base Laredo to $87,400 for the high-performance Trackhawk. The Limited X model, tested at $53,275, featured a ventilated hood, sport-themed 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 overuse of hard plastic, detracting from the overall premium feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Odyssey, with its decade-old styling theme, received minor updates for the new model year. These included a new grille, front bumper, standard LED headlights, and new wheel designs for the top trims. Prices ranged from $31,790 to $47,820, with certain paint colors costing an additional $395. The tested Elite trim, priced at $48,940, featured perforated leather upholstery, new ambient lighting, and 19-inch wheels. The Odyssey's interior was praised for its upscale look and feel, with improvements in seating material and design, making it closer to an Acura in terms of luxury.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 295-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, delivering satisfying acceleration and an EPA-rated 21 mpg in combined driving. However, the test vehicle achieved only 19.4 mpg. For those seeking more power, three V8 engines were available, including a 360-hp 5.7-liter Hemi, a 475-hp 6.4-liter Hemi in the SRT, and a 707-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the Trackhawk, which could accelerate from 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. While it excelled off-road, its on-road dynamics were mixed, with impressive grip but excessive suspension movements and average steering and brakes.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower, paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. This combination provided smooth and effortless power, with an EPA-rated 22 mpg in combined driving, and the test vehicle averaged 21.8 mpg. Unlike its competitors, the Odyssey did not offer all-wheel drive, putting it at a disadvantage in snowy regions. However, it featured a new electronic brake booster for improved brake pedal feel and response. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with perfectly weighted steering and firm but comfortable suspension. However, the brakes struggled under heavy use, especially during a heatwave, indicating a need for an upgrade.

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 8-way power-adjustable, but lacked ventilation. The rear seats provided adequate comfort and legroom, with rear air conditioning vents and USB ports. Interior storage was decent, with a handy tray in the center console and sizable door-panel bins, though the glovebox was small.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat was comfortable, with heated and ventilated front seats in the Elite trim. The second-row Magic Slide seats offered various configurations, while the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space measured 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 88.8 cubic feet with the third row tumbled, and a maximum of 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. However, removing and reinstalling the second-row seats was cumbersome.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee's Uconnect infotainment system, with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Guardian connected services. A 4G LTE WiFi data plan was available, and the test vehicle had a 9-speaker Alpine sound system. Unique to Jeep, the Off-Road Pages app provided off-roading information, while the SRT and Trackhawk models featured Performance Pages for tracking performance metrics.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, starting with EX trim, featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and HondaLink connectivity. Touring trim added navigation, WiFi capability, CabinWatch interior camera, and CabinTalk PA system. Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging. HondaLink subscription plans offered additional features like automatic collision notification and remote operation of the engine and door locks. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system in Touring and Elite trims included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray player, and streaming apps, though it was not a touchscreen.

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 poor ratings from the IIHS for driver and passenger protection in certain tests.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety with standard Honda Sensing ADAS, including low-speed follow adaptive cruise control, pedestrian braking, road-sign recognition, and a new Honda Sensing menu button. Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert was available from EX trim. The Odyssey's ADAS worked accurately but could be smoother. The Odyssey earned top five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating for rollover resistance, and was expected to maintain its IIHS Top Safety Pick recommendation.