2021 Jeep Cherokee vs 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The design of the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee retained a timeless appeal despite being a decade old. It showcased traditional Jeep styling cues, such as the iconic 7-slot grille and trapezoidal fenders. This SUV boasted a balanced appearance that was equally at home on rugged forest trails and at upscale valet stands. Its widespread appeal transcended social classes, making it attractive to a diverse range of buyers in terms of income, education, gender, and race.

The Grand Cherokee started at a price of $32,150 for the base Laredo model and could go up to $52,495 for the top-end Summit variant. Additionally, Jeep offered high-performance versions such as the SRT at $68,895 and the Trackhawk at a staggering $87,400. The tested Grand Cherokee Limited X variant came at $53,275, featuring all options except for a V8 engine, a towing package, and even an old-school CD player, which was a $495 add-on in 2020.

Painted in a striking Slate Blue Pearl, the Limited X variant featured a unique ventilated hood design, sport-themed front bumper, and 20-inch aluminum wheels dipped in Granite Crystal paint. This mild-custom appearance suited the Grand Cherokee well.

Regarding the interior, Jeep made an interesting choice of materials; the higher the price tag, the more noticeable the prevalence of hard plastic, which diminished the premium feel expected in a high-end model. While the Grand Cherokee offered a plush experience at lower price points, anything above $50,000 started to reveal these material compromises sharply.

When the 2021 Jeep Cherokee debuted, opinions about its styling were mixed but had mellowed over time. While the very short grille opening and swept-back headlights were initially off-putting, the design aged well, and the Cherokee looked better proportioned after seven years on the market.

The model's appearance varied significantly with the trim level. For instance, an entry-level Latitude with 17-inch wheels and front-wheel drive (FWD) resembled many other generic vehicles available from rental services. In contrast, the 80th Anniversary Edition, with 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding, looked far superior.

Jeep capitalized on roof designs across its models. The Cherokee offered an optional panoramic sunroof, covering the entire top surface—a feature that added a touch of luxury and openness to the cabin.

Even amidst a sea of crossover SUVs, the Cherokee managed to stand out with a distinct look, bearing a noticeable resemblance to the larger Jeep Grand Cherokee, especially when viewed from the front.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee came equipped with a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine, generating 295 horsepower, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. This combination delivered satisfying acceleration and returned 21 mpg in combined driving, according to the EPA. However, real-world testing yielded slightly lower efficiency at 19.4 mpg.

For those seeking more power, Jeep offered three V8 engines. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8 produced 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The 6.4-liter Hemi V8 in the SRT variant delivered 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. Topping the range, the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the Trackhawk variant churned out an astounding 707 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, enabling a 0-60 mph time of just 3.5 seconds. The Trackhawk was thoroughly fortified for high-speed performance, making it a beast on the track, while the SRT was slightly less aggressive but still impressive.

The Grand Cherokee was designed for off-road prowess, with the Trailhawk variant featuring all-terrain tires, skid plates, and the most capable 4-wheel-drive (4WD) system. Not every Grand Cherokee came with 4WD; some versions had rear-wheel drive (RWD) as standard. The 4WD systems ranged from a basic single-speed setup to the sophisticated Active On-Demand system in the SRT and Trackhawk models.

The tested Limited X model came with the Quadra-Trac II 4WD system, including a 2-speed transfer case. The Selec-Terrain traction control system and hill descent control technology enhanced its off-road capability, allowing it to conquer terrain where crossover SUVs would falter. However, on-road dynamics were a mixed bag, with excessive suspension movements causing some discomfort and transmitting sharp bumps into the cabin. The steering and brakes aimed to balance daily driving needs and off-road demands but ended up being average at best.

Despite these quirks, the Grand Cherokee’s traditional SUV behavior was a rarity in the market increasingly dominated by crossovers, offering a unique driving experience.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine choices based on the trim level. The base Latitude and Latitude Plus variants came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower. The mid-tier 3.2-liter V6 significantly improved power output to 271 hp. The top-of-the-line engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that delivered 270 hp and an impressive 295 lb-ft of torque, which outperformed the V6 in torque.

None of these engines offered exhilarating acceleration, but they delivered respectable performance. Testing on a mechanically similar 2019 Cherokee showed a 0-60 mph time of about 7.2 seconds with the V6 and roughly 7.4 seconds with the turbo-four. While these figures were adequate, they didn't evoke a sense of thrill.

All Cherokee models came with a nine-speed automatic transmission from ZF, which had resolved earlier production issues to become a capable, fuel-efficient gearbox. It provided better performance than the continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) used by many competitors.

For off-road enthusiasts, the Cherokee Trailhawk model was surprisingly capable. Features like Jeep Active Drive Lock, providing a 56:1 crawling ratio, and Selec-Speed Crawl Control, facilitating easier navigation of steep inclines, contributed to its off-road performance.

The Cherokee was available in FWD to keep prices competitive, especially for rental fleets. While FWD models were less common, potential buyers needed to verify the drivetrain before purchase, particularly if the deal seemed exceptionally attractive.

With room for five passengers and 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the backseat, expandable to 68.3 cubic feet with the backseat folded, the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee was on the smaller side for a midsize SUV. Heated and 8-way power-adjustable front seats ensured comfort, though the Limited X variant lacked ventilated seats. The seat heater buttons were integrated into the infotainment system, which could be irritating and cumbersome to use.

The thick, leather-wrapped steering wheel was a pleasure to grip, and armrests were conveniently padded. Rear-seat passengers, including children and adults, found the ride comfortable, and rear air conditioning vents and USB ports added to the convenience.

Interior storage was decent, with a useful tray in the center console and sizable door-panel bins compensating for a rather small bin under the center armrest and a limited glovebox. Useful grocery bag hooks were a thoughtful addition.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee, positioned between the smaller Renegade and larger Grand Cherokee, competed with other compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, it fell short in utility, offering 26 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up, and 55 cubic feet with them folded. These figures lagged behind competitors like the Mazda CX-5, Ford Escape, and Kia Sportage, none of which were particularly spacious themselves.

In terms of passenger volume, the Cherokee provided about 102 cubic feet, slightly smaller than the Escape but slightly larger than the Sportage. It was competitive in this aspect.

The Cherokee's interior was simple and businesslike, eschewing luxury and excessive technology for a clean design that focused on functionality. Satisfaction with the interior varied depending on the trim level. The base Latitude featured a lot of rubberized black plastic, while the Trailhawk offered a more upscale look with suede seat inserts and contrasting stitching. The Latitude Lux took it a step further with perforated Nappa leather upholstery for a sporty, luxurious feel.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system, long recognized for its speed, graphics, and ease of use. However, rivals had caught up, and in some cases, surpassed Uconnect. The sometimes bumpy ride of the Grand Cherokee made it challenging to select virtual buttons on the display accurately, though the voice recognition system mitigated this issue.

In the Limited X trim, Uconnect came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Guardian connected services. Additionally, a 4G LTE WiFi data plan was available, supporting up to eight devices. The test vehicle also included a 9-speaker Alpine premium sound system, which was good but not as exceptional as the 19-speaker Harman Kardon system available in higher trims.

A unique feature of Uconnect was the Off-Road Pages app, providing essential information for off-road excursions, such as altitude, GPS coordinates, and power distribution. SRT and Trackhawk models offered Performance Pages for tracking performance metrics.

The Jeep Cherokee's infotainment system and climate controls, provided by Stellantis brands, were industry leaders. The user-friendly interface allowed for easy access to heated seat controls and HVAC settings via physical buttons and a rotary knob, avoiding cumbersome menus.

The Uconnect system was available in two screen sizes: a 7-inch touchscreen for the Latitude, Latitude Plus, and Latitude Lux trims, and an 8.4-inch touchscreen for the Limited and Trailhawk trims. Both screens were well-designed and responsive.

The Cherokee supported both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though wired, not wireless. It also offered a 4G WiFi hotspot and integration with Amazon Alexa. Remote start was another feature, available in the Cherokee, adding convenience for both cold and warm climates.

Uconnect's consistency across different Stellantis vehicles was a win for the Cherokee, providing a reliable and user-friendly experience.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three collections of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). The standard ProTech I package 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. The Advanced ProTech II package further equipped the SUV with full-speed forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, semi-autonomous parking assist, and rain-sensing wipers.

These safety features were effective, but the Grand Cherokee's crash-test ratings were less impressive. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave it an overall rating of 4 stars, with a 3-star rollover resistance rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated it Marginal for driver protection and Poor for front passenger protection in the small overlap frontal-impact test. The standard headlights were rated Poor unless upgraded to the Acceptable HID headlights in higher trims.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee did not earn a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. However, it did achieve top “Good” scores in every crashworthiness category and a G+ score for the ease of use of the LATCH child seat anchors. The headlights received ratings of Acceptable for higher trims and Marginal for standard trims due to inadequate low and high beam performance.

The Cherokee received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with a slight demerit for front driver side crash protection.

The Cherokee offered a plethora of advanced safety features as standard equipment across all trim levels, including lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, full-speed forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring. However, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go was only available on the Limited and Trailhawk trims and as part of an option package for the Trailhawk.