2021 Honda Pilot vs 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

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. Its balanced appearance made it suitable for both rugged trails and upscale settings, appealing 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, ventilated hood design, and 20-inch aluminum wheels, giving it a mild-custom look. However, the interior materials, especially in models priced over $50,000, were a letdown, with an overuse of hard plastics detracting from the overall luxury feel.

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to solve the styling puzzle with a rugged refresh in 2019 and a blacked-out Black Edition in 2020, but its design remained polarizing. The Pilot offered seven versions, from the base LX to the upscale Black Edition, with prices ranging from $32,250 to $49,920. The new Special Edition trim added features like black alloy wheels and wireless charging. The Black Edition, tested at $51,435, came with exclusive black leather upholstery and red accents. While the Pilot's interior boasted quality materials, it resembled a minivan from the front seat, which, along with its exterior design, did not enhance its appeal.

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 and a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 in the SRT model with 475 hp. The Trackhawk version boasted a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 with 707 hp, achieving 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The Grand Cherokee offered various 4WD systems, with the Limited X featuring Quadra-Trac II 4WD. While it excelled off-road, its on-road dynamics were mixed, with impressive grip but excessive suspension movements.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Pilot's AWD system could direct up to 70% of engine output to a single rear wheel, enhancing traction. Fuel-saving features included variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving. The Pilot's suspension provided a comfortable ride and athletic handling, aided by the torque-vectoring AWD system and 20-inch wheels. While the steering and brakes were responsive, the brakes could heat up with prolonged use. Off-road capability was limited by its ground clearance and all-season tires.

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 seats folded. The front seats were heated and power-adjustable, but lacked ventilation. The infotainment system integrated seat heater controls, which could be inconvenient. Rear passengers enjoyed adequate comfort and amenities like air conditioning vents and USB ports. Interior storage was decent, with thoughtful touches like grocery bag hooks on the seatbacks.

The 2021 Honda Pilot provided ample space for families, seating up to eight with a second-row bench seat. The front seats were leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver. Second-row captain’s chairs were available, offering comfort and sliding forward for third-row access. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults. Storage was abundant, with compartments in door panels and a large center console. The power tailgate revealed 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 83.9 cubic feet with all seats down.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, and smartphone integration. While it was user-friendly, the ride's bounciness could make button selection challenging. The system included Off-Road Pages for off-roading data. The test vehicle had a 9-speaker Alpine sound system, with a 19-speaker Harman Kardon option available.

The 2021 Honda Pilot's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen with smartphone integration and HondaLink services. The Special Edition added wireless charging, while the Touring trim offered navigation and a premium audio system. The system lacked a tuning knob and required specific voice commands. The Touring trim also featured a rear-seat entertainment system with Cabin Talk, allowing the driver to communicate with rear passengers through the speakers.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three ADAS packages, with ProTech I standard, including a reversing camera and blind-spot monitoring. ProTech II added features like forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assist. Advanced ProTech II included adaptive cruise control and semi-autonomous parking assist. Despite these features, the Grand Cherokee had unimpressive crash-test ratings, with a 4-star overall rating from NHTSA and poor IIHS ratings for small overlap frontal-impact tests.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The EX trim added blind-spot monitoring. While effective, the system was not smooth in operation. The Pilot received favorable crash-test ratings, with a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and good IIHS ratings, except for an acceptable score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection.