2021 Lexus RX vs 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite its decade-old design, maintained a timeless appeal. It showcased traditional Jeep styling cues like a 7-slot grille and trapezoidal fenders, giving it a balanced appearance suitable for both rugged trails and upscale settings. This versatility made it attractive to a diverse range of buyers. Prices for the Grand Cherokee started at $32,150 for the Laredo and went up to $52,495 for the Summit, with high-performance SRT and Trackhawk versions priced at $68,895 and $87,400, respectively. The Limited X model, tested at $53,275, featured a ventilated hood, sport-themed bumper, and 20-inch aluminum wheels, but its interior, especially at higher price points, was criticized for the excessive use of hard plastic.

The 2021 Lexus RX embodied the modern design aesthetic of Lexus with its large grille, angular headlamps, and floating roof. It offered five variants, including the RX, RX F Sport, RXL, RX Hybrid, and RXL Hybrid. The RX F Sport was the most performance-focused, while the RXL models featured extended bodies and a third row of seating. The RX's design updates from 2020, such as elongated headlights and a refined front end, remained for 2021. Standard features included 18-inch aluminum wheels, LED lighting, and rear privacy glass, with available upgrades like 20-inch wheels and triple-beam LED headlights. The interior was well-appointed, even in the base model, with options for semi-aniline leather upholstery and various comfort features. However, the center console design and infotainment system were seen as dated.

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 combined. Real-world testing yielded 19.4 mpg. For those seeking more power, three V8 engines were available: a 360-hp 5.7-liter Hemi, a 475-hp 6.4-liter Hemi in the SRT, and a 707-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the Trackhawk, which could accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The Grand Cherokee offered various 4WD systems, with the Trailhawk model being the most off-road capable. The Limited X model tested had the Quadra-Trac II 4WD system, which performed well off-road. On pavement, the Grand Cherokee's driving dynamics were mixed, with impressive grip but excessive suspension movements and average steering and brakes.

The 2021 Lexus RX, RXL, and RX F-Sport were powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The RX 350 with FWD was the most fuel-efficient, rated at 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. The RX Hybrid models, with a 3.5-liter V6 and three electric motors, produced 308 hp and achieved up to 31 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The RX's suspension and handling improvements made it more dynamic, with the F Sport Handling package adding adaptive variable suspension and other performance features. The RX was a comfortable cruiser, with the F Sport model offering a bit more spirited driving. It had a top speed of 124 mph and could accelerate from 0-60 mph in 7.7 to 7.9 seconds, depending on the drivetrain.

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 backseat folded. The front seats were heated and 8-way power-adjustable, but the Limited X lacked ventilated seats. The thick, leather-wrapped steering wheel and padded armrests added comfort. Rear passengers, including children, found the backseat comfortable, with adequate legroom and rear air conditioning vents. Interior storage was decent, with a handy tray in the center console and sizable door-panel bins.

The 2021 Lexus RX provided seating for five in the two-row models and six or seven in the three-row RXL models. Front-seat occupants enjoyed ample space, and the second-row seating was comfortable for adults. The third row in the RXL was tight for any age. Cargo space in the RX was limited, with 18.4 cubic feet behind the second row and 56.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The three-row RXL offered just 7.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 23 cubic feet behind the second, and 58.5 cubic feet with both rows folded. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free liftgate available.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, and SiriusXM Guardian connected services. A 4G LTE WiFi data plan supported up to eight devices. The test vehicle had a 9-speaker Alpine premium sound system, with a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system available. Unique to Jeep, the Off-Road Pages app provided off-roading information, while the SRT and Trackhawk models had Performance Pages for tracking performance metrics.

The 2021 Lexus RX came standard with dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, voice recognition, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, HD Radio, a WiFi hot spot, six USB ports, and a nine-speaker sound system. Upgrades included a 12.3-inch touchscreen, additional USB ports, a moonroof, wireless charging, navigation, and a 15-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system. The touchpad controller for the infotainment system was less refined than competitors, and the RX lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three collections of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). ProTech I, standard on all trims, 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 included full-speed forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, semi-autonomous parking assist, and rain-sensing wipers. The Grand Cherokee received a 4-star overall rating from NHTSA and had poor ratings from IIHS for driver and passenger protection in certain tests.

The 2021 Lexus RX received the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation, with Good marks on crashworthiness tests. The RXL and RXL Hybrid were not tested by IIHS. NHTSA rated the RX 350, RX 350L, and RX 450h with four out of five stars overall and five stars for side-impact crashworthiness. Standard safety features included a rearview camera, 10 airbags, enhanced vehicle stability control, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 included a pre-collision system, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-trace assist, and road sign assist. The RX lacked the advanced hands-off piloting features found in some competitors.