2021 Subaru Ascent vs 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

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 venues, 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 several variants in between, including the high-performance SRT and Trackhawk versions. 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 Subaru Ascent, introduced as a much-needed addition to Subaru's lineup, filled the gap left by the discontinued Tribeca. It resembled a scaled-up version of Subaru's smaller models like the Forester and Outback, with a cabin design that mirrored other Subaru vehicles. The Ascent was available in Standard, Premium, Limited, and Touring trims, each offering a range of features. The Standard trim included driver-assistance features, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, and tri-zone climate control. The Premium trim added an 8-inch touchscreen, power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats. The Limited trim offered additional comforts like a heated steering wheel and third-row USB ports, while the Touring trim featured ventilated front seats and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon stereo system.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 295-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, providing 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, a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 in the SRT with 475 hp, and a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the Trackhawk with 707 hp. 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 behavior was appreciated.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder engine producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. While lacking a premium engine option, the Ascent's standard engine was adequate for most driving scenarios, offering responsive handling and a comfortable ride. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance, standard all-wheel drive, and Subaru’s X-Mode system, the Ascent was capable in snowy conditions and light off-roading. It was rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds and included a standard Trailer Stability Assist.

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 power-adjustable, but lacked ventilation. The interior featured a leather-wrapped steering wheel and padded armrests, while the backseat provided adequate comfort for children and adults. Interior storage was decent, with a center console tray and door-panel bins, though the glovebox was small.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent provided 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 47.5 cubic feet with the third row down, and up to 86.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. It offered seating for up to eight passengers, with spacious first and second rows, while the third row was suitable for children on longer trips. The Ascent featured 19 cupholders and numerous storage trays and cubbies, though it lacked a hands-free power liftgate option.

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 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 off-roading data, while the SRT and Trackhawk models offered Performance Pages for tracking performance metrics.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent's StarLink infotainment system featured logical menus and large icons, with hard buttons and dials for easy navigation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with front and second-row USB ports, satellite radio, and Bluetooth. Optional features included third-row USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon stereo.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three ADAS packages, with ProTech I standard on all trims, including a reversing camera and blind-spot monitoring. ProTech II added forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assist, while Advanced ProTech II included adaptive cruise control and semi-autonomous parking assist. Despite these features, the Grand Cherokee received a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and poor ratings from the IIHS in certain crash tests.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent was an IIHS 2021 Top Safety Pick+ due to its crash test results and Subaru’s EyeSight suite, which included automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. The Ascent also featured standard automatic high beams and steering-responsive headlights, with optional reverse automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring.