2021 Mazda CX-5 vs 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Although it had been a decade since its debut, the design of the Jeep Grand Cherokee still resonated well with many. Showcasing the traditional Jeep styling cues like the seven-slot grille and trapezoidal fenders, it radiated an aura that felt just right. The Grand Cherokee boasted a balanced appearance fit for both rugged trails and high-class environments, making it appealing across various demographics, regardless of income, education, gender, and race.

Prices for the Grand Cherokee began at $32,150 for the base Laredo trim, extending up to $52,495 for the luxurious Summit version. Spanning this range, buyers could explore more than eight additional variants, including the high-performance SRT at $68,895 and the thrill-inducing Trackhawk priced at $87,400.

The model tested was the Grand Cherokee Limited X, which came to $53,275 with the destination charge but without a V8 engine, towing package, or CD player—surprisingly, a $495 upgrade in 2020. It had a striking Slate Blue Pearl exterior enhanced with a ventilated hood design, a sport-themed front bumper, and 20-inch aluminum wheels in Granite Crystal. This gave the vehicle a subtly customized look that the Grand Cherokee carried well.

Inside, while the SUV offered premium materials, those priced above $50,000 faced an increasing abundance of hard plastic materials, diminishing the perceived value as the price escalated. The disappointment set in most acutely with its expensive variations.

Contrasting the Grand Cherokee, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 delivered a sleek, smooth design. Eschewing the deeply-creased lines and chiseled grilles of some competitors, Mazda opted for a streamlined appearance that resonated with style over aggression.

Most CX-5 trim levels shared similar exterior features. The base Sport model had automatic on/off LED headlights, 17-inch gray metallic wheels, a rear roof spoiler, and rain-sensing wipers. The Touring added rear privacy glass, leatherette seats, dual-zone climate control, and more sophisticated lighting that followed the vehicle's direction.

For a more luxurious touch, the Touring Preferred SV Package could be added, including leather seats, a 10-speaker Bose sound system, a power liftgate, a moonroof, and power-adjustable seats with memory positioning. The Carbon Edition combined these features with a unique Polymetal Gray paint job, black metallic wheels, and red leather seats.

The top-tier Signature model featured Caturra Brown Nappa leather seats, genuine wood trim, ambient lighting, and high-quality build, rivalling premium brands. The fit and finish were excellent, with interiors that felt high-end.

The standard 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee came with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower, coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided satisfying acceleration but delivered 19.4 mpg, slightly less than the EPA's 21 mpg combined rating.

For those craving more power, the Grand Cherokee offered three V8 engines: the 5.7-liter Hemi with 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, the 6.4-liter Hemi in the SRT model producing 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, and the Trackhawk's supercharged 6.2-liter V8 with a staggering 707 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in just 3.5 seconds.

Off-road enthusiasts could opt for the Trailhawk model featuring all-terrain tires, skid plates, and a robust 4-wheel-drive system. The model tested had the Quadra-Trac II 4WD with a 2-speed transfer case. It handled tough terrains well but struggled with sharp bumps and holes on paved roads.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options. The standard was a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. The turbocharged version available in higher trims delivered 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. Both engines paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional.

Fuel efficiency varied slightly depending on drive train and engine type. The most fuel-efficient model, a non-turbo FWD, achieved 28 mpg combined. The turbo AWD model managed 24 mpg combined, slightly less than the non-turbo variants.

The turbo engine offered engaging driving dynamics, especially in sport mode, though the firm suspension could be jolting on rougher roads. The CX-5’s sporty drive meant enjoyable handling on winding roads but less comfort for passengers.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee comfortably seated five passengers and provided 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, extending to 68.3 cubic feet with the seats folded down. Heated, power-adjustable front seats were standard in the Limited X trim, though ventilation was not available. The infotainment system controls, including seat heaters, integrated poorly into the overall design, causing some frustration.

Passenger comfort remained a strong point, with ample legroom and supportive seats in both rows. Interior storage options included a handy tray in the center console and sizable door panels, though the glovebox and center bin space were limited. Child-friendly touches like rear-seat USB ports and grocery bag hooks enhanced family usability.

The Mazda CX-5’s design favored driver and passenger comfort despite some constraints. The seating position and overall ergonomics were typical for its class. Headroom was adequate, but legroom in the back seat could be tight, particularly with taller passengers in front. The CX-5 featured a large center shifter and infotainment knob, which could be awkward for shorter drivers.

Cargo capacity in the CX-5 was below average, providing 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 59.6 cubic feet with them folded. Competitors like the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4 offered significantly more space. A power liftgate added convenience.

The Uconnect infotainment system in the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A 4G LTE WiFi data plan supported up to eight devices. The test vehicle included a 9-speaker Alpine sound system, while higher trims offered a superior 19-speaker Harman Kardon system.

Jeep’s Uconnect stood out with the Off-Road Pages app, providing information on altitude, GPS coordinates, and power distribution. The SRT and Trackhawk models had Performance Pages for tracking metrics. Despite its competency, the system's usability could be hampered by the vehicle’s ride quality.

Every 2021 Mazda CX-5 came with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While the screen size impressed, the system's interface did not reflect a modern, high-end design. Control was unintuitive, particularly via the center console knob.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, allowing users to bypass some of the system's limitations. Despite the connectivity, the infotainment experience felt less polished than its competitors, detracting from the vehicle’s upscale positioning.

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 low-speed forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Advanced ProTech II featured full-speed collision warning, adaptive cruise control, semi-autonomous parking assist, and rain-sensing wipers.

Despite these features, the Grand Cherokee's crash-test ratings were underwhelming. It received a 4-star overall rating from NHTSA and a 3-star rating for rollover resistance. IIHS rated it Marginal for driver protection and Poor for front passenger protection, with Poor headlight ratings unless upgraded.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features. These included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and high beams.

Optional features were a head-up display, reverse emergency braking, driver attention monitoring, surround-view camera system, and front and rear parking sensors. The traffic sign recognition feature, however, often displayed outdated or missing information.

These safety technologies contributed to the CX-5’s top safety ratings. IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick+, and NHTSA awarded it five stars. The SUV offered robust safety credentials with Mazda’s balanced warranty coverage.