2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite its decade-old design, maintained a classic appeal with its traditional Jeep styling cues, such as the 7-slot grille and trapezoidal fenders. It presented a balanced appearance that was equally suitable for rugged trails and upscale settings, making it attractive to a diverse range of buyers. The model offered a wide range of variants, from the base Laredo starting at $32,150 to the luxurious Summit at $52,495, with high-performance SRT and Trackhawk versions priced at $68,895 and $87,400, respectively. The Limited X variant, tested at $53,275, featured a Slate Blue Pearl exterior with a sport-themed design and 20-inch aluminum wheels. However, the interior, especially in models priced over $50,000, was criticized for its use of hard plastics, which detracted from the overall premium feel.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee continued to impress with its timeless design, combining rugged utility with upscale sophistication. Its design contributed significantly to its success, appealing to a broad audience by defying easy categorization as either a mainstream, luxury, or performance SUV. The lineup included affordable trims like the Laredo and Limited, upscale models like the Overland and Summit, and performance-oriented SRT and Trackhawk versions. The 2021 model introduced minor updates and new editions, with prices ranging from $35,000 to nearly $90,000. The Summit trim, tested at $68,185, featured a 5.7-liter V8 engine and premium interior materials, including leather, wood, and aluminum. However, the interior showed signs of aging, with outdated switchgear and non-flush panel fits indicating a need for redesign.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 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, including 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 the Trackhawk's supercharged 6.2-liter V8 with 707 hp. The Trackhawk boasted a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds. The Grand Cherokee offered various 4WD systems, with the Limited X featuring the Quadra-Trac II system. Despite its off-road capabilities, the SUV's on-road dynamics were mixed, with excessive suspension movements and average steering and brakes.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee also featured a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine with 295 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, capable of towing up to 6,200 pounds. An optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque provided a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,200 pounds. The V8 included cylinder deactivation technology, achieving 18.2 mpg in testing. The Quadra-Trac II system, combined with a Quadra-Lift air suspension, enhanced off-road performance. The Summit trim offered a smooth and responsive driving experience, though the V8 consumed more fuel in city driving. The Grand Cherokee's tight turning radius and effective brakes were praised, but the lack of surround-view cameras was noted.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered seating for five and cargo space of 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 68.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Limited X trim featured heated, 8-way power-adjustable front seats, though ventilation was not available. The infotainment system integrated seat heater controls, which some found inconvenient. Rear passengers enjoyed adequate comfort and amenities, while interior storage was decent, with thoughtful touches like grocery bag hooks.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit provided a luxurious interior with quilted leather seats and leather-wrapped panels. Both front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, though controls were embedded in the infotainment system. The rear seat was comfortable but had limited legroom for taller adults. The optional rear-seat entertainment system added to the sense of claustrophobia. Cargo space remained at 36.3 cubic feet, expandable to 68.3 cubic feet, with practical features like a power liftgate and folding rear seats.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and more. The system was user-friendly but could be challenging to operate on bumpy roads. The Limited X trim included a 9-speaker Alpine sound system, with a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system available on higher trims. Unique to Jeep, the Off-Road Pages app provided valuable off-roading information.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee continued with the Uconnect 4C with Nav system, offering a nearly flawless user experience with fast response and pleasing graphics. It included navigation, smartphone integration, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system's voice recognition worked well, and the Summit trim featured a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. While the Grand Cherokee was considered "tech lite," it offered essential features and advanced driving assistance systems.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three ADAS packages, with ProTech I standard on all trims, including a reversing camera, parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. ProTech II added forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Grand Cherokee received a 4-star overall rating from NHTSA and poor ratings from IIHS in certain crash tests.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee's safety ratings were a concern, with a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA for 4WD models but poor IIHS ratings in small-overlap frontal-impact tests. The Summit trim included the ProTech II Package with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and more. The Grand Cherokee also featured parking assistance systems, though these were best used in low-traffic environments.