2021 Subaru Forester 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, making it equally at home on rugged trails and at upscale venues. This versatile appearance attracted a diverse range of buyers across various demographics. 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 tested Limited X model, priced at $53,275, featured a Slate Blue Pearl paint, a ventilated hood design, a sport-themed front bumper, and 20-inch aluminum wheels, giving it a mild-custom look.

However, the interior of the Grand Cherokee, especially models priced over $50,000, was a letdown. While premium materials were used, they were applied over a foundation that lacked substance, making the abundance of hard plastic more noticeable and irritating. This was a significant drawback for an otherwise stylish and versatile SUV.

The 2021 Subaru Forester, redesigned for the 2019 model year, retained a boxy, upright shape that appealed to many SUV shoppers. The styling largely carried over from the previous generation, with the most notable change being the distinctive cross-shaped taillights. The Forester's clean and unpretentious look, especially in the Base trim with 17-inch steel wheels, was a hit among buyers. The Sport model, with orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, added a sporty touch, especially when paired with complementary paint colors like Dark Blue Pearl.

Underneath, the Forester shared the Subaru Global Platform with other models like the Impreza and Outback. This platform, combined with a no-nonsense interior mix of materials, ensured durability for years of use. The Sport trim added a splash of orange to the interior, enhancing its appeal. The Forester offered cloth upholstery in Base, Premium, and Sport models, while Limited and Touring trims featured leather upholstery. The All-Weather Package, standard on Premium and higher trims, added heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, and a windshield de-icer.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 295-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided satisfying acceleration and an EPA-rated 21 mpg in combined driving, though the test vehicle achieved 19.4 mpg. For those seeking more power, three V8 engines were available: 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 470 lb-ft, and a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the Trackhawk with 707 hp and 645 lb-ft, capable of 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds.

The Grand Cherokee offered various 4WD systems, with the Limited X featuring the Quadra-Trac II 4WD with a 2-speed transfer case. This system, along with the Selec-Terrain traction control and hill descent control, allowed the Grand Cherokee to handle off-road conditions effectively. However, on pavement, the driving dynamics were mixed, with impressive grip but excessive suspension movements. The steering and brakes were average, attempting to balance daily driving and off-roading needs.

The 2021 Subaru Forester featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This powertrain, with its boxer engine configuration, provided a lower center of gravity. However, the engine felt underpowered during highway merging and overtaking, and wind noise was noticeable at high speeds. The suspension tuning was soft, resulting in poor body control and a bouncy ride on uneven pavement.

The Forester's AWD system, standard across all trims, included X-Mode for different surfaces, with Dual X-Mode available on Sport models. Premium and higher trims featured hill-descent control, and all models had 8.7 inches of ground clearance, enhancing off-road capability. However, for serious off-roading, alternatives like the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk or Ford Bronco Sport were better options.

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 was comfortable, and rear passengers enjoyed adequate legroom, air conditioning vents, and USB ports. Interior storage was decent, with a handy tray in the center console and sizable door-panel bins.

The 2021 Subaru Forester provided above-average headroom and legroom in both rows, thanks to its tall, flat roof. This design also allowed for excellent outward visibility and a roomy feel. Cargo space was generous, with 35.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 76.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Forester offered more cargo space than some competitors but lacked a sliding second-row bench. A power liftgate was optional on the Sport trim and standard on Limited and Touring trims. The Forester's cupholders were decently sized, and the center console was reasonably spacious, though the phone-storage cubby was too small for an average-size phone. A power-adjustable driver's seat was available from the Premium trim level.

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, though higher trims offered a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system. Unique to Jeep's Uconnect was the Off-Road Pages app, providing off-roading information like altitude and power distribution.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with the Subaru Starlink infotainment system, featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, front-row USB ports, and a CD player. Sport models added an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio system, while Limited and Touring trims included navigation and rear USB ports. The system was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and backup analog controls, though the screen was slow to boot up. Additional displays in the dashboard and instrument cluster provided secondary information, though the setup felt overly complex.

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 with stop-and-go, semi-autonomous parking assist, and rain-sensing wipers. 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 Forester excelled in safety, earning the highest "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included the EyeSight suite, with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. The Forester also featured a driver-monitoring system called DriverFocus, which checked for signs of distraction. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking.