2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, though a decade old, still looked remarkably modern and appealing. Its design showcased traditional Jeep styling cues like the seven-slot grille and trapezoidal fenders. This model presented a balanced aesthetic suitable for both rugged trails and swanky valet stands. The Grand Cherokee's design was universally attractive across various demographics, making it a popular choice among diverse buyers regardless of income, education, gender, or race.

Prices began at $32,150 for the Grand Cherokee Laredo and escalated to $52,495 for the Summit trim. Several variants existed between these price points, with high-performance options like the SRT ($68,895) and Trackhawk ($87,400) available. The Limited X trim tested cost $53,275, including destination charge. Finished in Slate Blue Pearl, this trim featured a ventilated hood, sport-themed front bumper, and 20-inch aluminum wheels in Granite Crystal paint, giving it a stylish, custom appearance.

However, its interior left much to be desired, especially for models priced over $50,000. While offering premium materials, the vehicle's foundation consisted of hard plastic, diminishing the luxurious feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was an extended-length version of the upcoming redesigned 2022 Grand Cherokee, equipped with a third-row seat and more cargo volume. Its design appeared sophisticated and modern, closely resembling the upscale Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models. The Grand Cherokee L had distinctive Jeep features like the seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and familiar lighting arrangements, maintaining a classic yet contemporary look.

Trim levels for the Grand Cherokee L included Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve, with prices ranging from $36,995 to $64,235. The Summit trim test vehicle, costing $64,770, included various advanced features like the Advanced Pro Tech Group, Luxury Tech Group, and a 19-speaker McIntosh premium audio system. Despite some interior material critiques, the redesigned cabin was a substantial improvement over the old model, with appealing quilted and perforated leather and real wood trim.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain offered satisfying acceleration, achieving 21 mpg in combined driving per EPA ratings, though real-world testing yielded 19.4 mpg. For those seeking more power, several V8 options were available, ranging from a 360-hp 5.7-liter Hemi V8 to the Trackhawk’s 707-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8, which boasted a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds.

Despite its aging architecture, the Grand Cherokee maintained its traditional SUV behavior, capable of off-road adventures thanks to various 4WD systems, including the tested Quadra-Trac II with automatic operation and a 2-speed transfer case. However, on-road dynamics were mixed, with excessive suspension movements and an average steering and braking response. Nonetheless, its off-road prowess remained commendable.

For the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, the standard engine was a 3.6-liter V6 generating 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and either RWD or one of three 4WD systems. The maximum tow rating was 6,200 pounds, with an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined. An optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, available only with 4WD on Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve trims, produced 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, increasing the tow capacity to 7,200 pounds but dropping fuel efficiency to 17 mpg combined.

The tested Summit trim vehicle featured the V6 engine and 4WD, delivering brisk acceleration albeit with noticeable engine noise at high revs. The eight-speed automatic was generally well-behaved but sometimes hesitated on downshifts. The Grand Cherokee L Summit 4WD averaged just 17.8 mpg in testing. Jeep’s Quadra-Lift suspension provided a smooth, controlled ride and adjustable ground clearance, enhancing both on-road comfort and off-road capability. It also offered impressive handling and maneuverability and demonstrated a strong highway performance with quiet cabin conditions except during acceleration or intense air conditioning use.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered seating for five and had a cargo capacity of 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 68.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The front seats were heated and power-adjustable, though ventilation was absent in the tested Limited X trim. The interior offered decent storage space, though some bins were smaller than expected. Rear passengers, even children, found the seating comfortable with ample legroom and helpful features like rear AC vents and USB ports.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, especially in Summit trim, excelled in comfort, offering heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats with 12-way power adjustments, along with a heated steering wheel and four-zone climate control. However, the dashboard vents were insufficient for quick cooling in hot conditions. The second-row captain’s chairs provided significant legroom and comfort, with an option for a bench seat. The third-row seats were also spacious enough for most adults.

Child safety seats could be installed without removing them to access the third row. Cargo space was more generous compared to the 2020 model, with 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 84.6 cubic feet with all rear seats folded down. The Grand Cherokee L’s storage solutions included a practical bin under the load floor and a useful console between the second-row seats.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system, known for its user-friendly interface, speed, and graphics. However, the bouncy ride sometimes interfered with accurate touchscreen use. The Limited X trim included an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an optional 9-speaker Alpine sound system. Uconnect’s Off-Road Pages app provided valuable off-roading data.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Uconnect 5, offering faster response and improved user experience with either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen. The larger screen in the test vehicle facilitated easy control access. Key features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The optional 19-speaker McIntosh audio system delivered excellent sound quality, though its logo design felt out of place.

Additional advanced technology in the Grand Cherokee L included a digital instrument panel, digital rearview mirror, thermal-imaging night vision system, and Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring. The head-up display remained visible even with polarized sunglasses.

For the 2020 Grand Cherokee, Jeep offered three sets of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). ProTech I 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 featured full-speed forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, semi-autonomous parking assist, and rain-sensing wipers.

Despite these features, the Grand Cherokee's crash-test ratings were not impressive. The NHTSA rated it 4 stars overall, with a 3-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS gave it Marginal for driver protection and Poor for front passenger protection in the small overlap frontal-impact test, with headlight ratings varying from Poor to Acceptable depending on equipment.

The 2021 Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, a hands-on system combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. While functional, the steering assist felt unnatural to drivers. Intersection Collision Assist, standard on Summit trims, warned of potential side collisions at intersections, adding a layer of safety. The Grand Cherokee L also featured a comprehensive suite of driving aids, including Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist.

Crash-test ratings for the Grand Cherokee L were unavailable at the time of the review, but improvements over the previous model were expected.