2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Kia Sorento

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. 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 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, a sport-themed front 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 use of hard plastics, which detracted from the overall premium feel.

The 2021 Kia Sorento marked a significant design evolution from its predecessor, shedding its jelly-bean-inspired styling for a more athletic and muscular silhouette. The SX Prestige trim with the X-Line package added roof rails and a shark fin antenna, enhancing its sporty look. The front featured an expansive tiger-nose grille and distinctive headlights, while the rear showcased stylish vertical taillights. The interior boasted high-value features, including heated outside mirrors, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and keyless entry. The Sorento offered comfortable seating with 10-way adjustable driver’s seats in higher trims and a panoramic sunroof that provided ample natural light. Despite its stylish design, the third row was tight for adults, and cargo space was limited, making it more suitable as a four-seater.

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 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 360 hp, a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 in the SRT with 475 hp, and the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the Trackhawk, boasting 707 hp and 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 4WD system. While it excelled off-road, its on-road dynamics were mixed, with impressive grip but excessive suspension movements. The steering and brakes were average, but the Grand Cherokee's traditional SUV feel was appreciated.

The 2021 Kia Sorento offered a range of powertrains, with the test vehicle featuring a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission and AWD, provided ample power for highway driving. The Sorento also offered a hybrid version with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and electric motor. The AWD system included torque vectoring and a center-locking differential, enhancing traction. The suspension, with McPherson struts and a multi-link setup, delivered a smooth ride, even with 20-inch wheels. The Sorento's drive modes, including Eco, Normal, and Sport, offered varied driving experiences. Despite its 4,000-pound weight, the Sorento handled corners well, similar to the Telluride, providing a comfortable ride.

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 front seats were heated and 8-way power-adjustable, but lacked ventilation. The infotainment system integrated seat heater controls, which could be inconvenient. The steering wheel was leather-wrapped, and the interior provided decent storage options. Rear passengers, including children, found the seating comfortable, with adequate legroom and rear air conditioning vents.

The 2021 Kia Sorento, a three-row SUV, was best suited as a four-seater in higher trims due to the tight third row. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable, and the front and rear seats offered ample legroom. Cargo space was limited to 12.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 75.5 cubic feet with seats folded. The interior featured convenient storage options, including a phone spot with wireless charging, cupholders, and door pockets. The Sorento's cargo capacity was more comparable to compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The system was user-friendly but could be challenging to operate on bumpy roads. The test vehicle included a 9-speaker Alpine sound system, with a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system available in higher trims. Unique to Jeep, the Off-Road Pages app provided off-roading information, while SRT and Trackhawk models offered Performance Pages for tracking metrics.

The 2021 Kia Sorento's tech included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on lower trims, while higher trims featured a 10.25-inch screen with haptic touch buttons. The larger screen required a wired connection for smartphone integration, and the display was partially unusable with Android Auto. The Sorento offered ample USB ports but lacked USB-C. The optional Bose stereo was underwhelming, and the navigation system needed improvement. Most drivers would likely rely on smartphone navigation.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three ADAS packages. ProTech I included a reversing camera, parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. ProTech II added forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Advanced ProTech II featured adaptive cruise control, semi-autonomous parking assist, and rain-sensing wipers. Despite these features, the Grand Cherokee received a 4-star overall rating from NHTSA and poor ratings from IIHS in certain crash tests.

The 2021 Kia Sorento came with standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, driver-attention warning, lane-keeping assist, and auto high beams. The test vehicle included a surround-view camera and adaptive cruise control, which performed well. The Sorento received a 4-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS, with higher trims earning better ratings for headlights.