2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite being nearly a decade old in design, still managed to capture the essence of rugged sophistication that was synonymous with the Jeep brand. Its unmistakable 7-slot grille, trapezoidal fenders, and balanced aesthetic allowed it to navigate both wilderness trails and upscale urban settings with equal aplomb. This versatility in styling made it appealing to a diverse audience.

Pricing for the Grand Cherokee started at $32,150 for the Laredo trim and escalated to $52,495 for the Summit trim. Jeep also offered high-performance variants like the SRT and Trackhawk, priced at $68,895 and $87,400 respectively. The tested Limited X variant, tagged at $53,275 including destination charge, sported a Slate Blue Pearl exterior, ventilated hood design, sport-themed front bumper, and 20-inch aluminum wheels dipped in Granite Crystal paint, contributing to its mild-custom appearance.

However, the interior materials were somewhat disappointing, especially for models priced over $50,000. Although premium materials were present, the overall build quality left something to be desired with a noticeable presence of hard plastics. This gave the more expensive Grand Cherokees an unbalanced feel, tugging away from the sense of true luxury.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Highlander commanded attention with its modern and distinctive design. It avoided the stereotypical "boring" SUV look with a long hood, aggressive trapezoidal grille, wide headlights, and side character lines reminiscent of the Supra sports car. The rear design flaunted Lexus-inspired taillights, contributing to its sleeker and lower appearance compared to its predecessor without compromising on size.

The introduction of the XSE trim level for 2021 added a sporty edge with a restyled front end, 20-inch black-accented wheels, unique front fascia, lower spoiler, and a larger air intake designed to enhance engine breathing. The Limited trim, which sat just below the Platinum, presented a luxurious exterior with chrome roof rails and accents, and a near-flawless interior. Fit and finish were impeccable, with tan leather seats and dark brown trim lending a sumptuous feel. The attention to detail extended to the wood accents, which looked sophisticated even if they weren't real wood.

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-estimated fuel economy of 21 mpg in combined driving. However, real-world testing yielded a slightly lower 19.4 mpg. For those craving more power, there were three V8 engine options: a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 in the SRT variant producing 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, and the mind-boggling 707 hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the Trackhawk, achieving a blistering 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds.

The Grand Cherokee also offered varied 4WD systems suited for different needs, including the Quadra-Trac II 4WD system in the Limited X, which combined automatic operation with a 2-speed transfer case. This system, along with features like the Selec-Terrain traction control and hill descent control, allowed the Grand Cherokee to tackle off-road trails that crossovers couldn't dream of.

On the road, however, driving dynamics were inconsistent. While the big wheels provided grip, excessive vertical and lateral suspension movement could cause motion sickness. The SUV dealt well with broken pavement but transmitted sharp bumps to the interior. Steering and brakes were an attempt at dual-purpose functionality but ended up feeling average.

Conversely, the 2021 Toyota Highlander featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 295 hp and 263 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It offered both front-wheel and all-wheel drivetrain options. While it didn’t offer mind-blowing acceleration, it delivered smooth and predictable performance suitable for family needs. The Highlander Hybrid was also available, but that's covered in a separate test.

Among its competitors, like the Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, Honda Pilot, and Chevy Traverse, the Highlander held its ground. However, it was outmatched by the Ford Explorer ST in terms of sheer performance. The Highlander’s handling was somewhat lumbering, typical for a three-row crossover, but its soft suspension ensured a comfortable ride.

The XSE trim aimed to inject some sportiness with higher-rated springs, retuned shock absorbers, power steering, and a rear stabilizer bar. Though these enhancements didn't transform the Highlander into a track contender, they added a dash of driving excitement for those seeking a balance between practicality and sportiness.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee provided seating for five with a cargo capacity of 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 68.3 cubic feet with the seats folded down, placing it on the smaller end of the midsize SUV spectrum. The front seats featured heating and 8-way power adjustments for comfort, although the lack of ventilated seats in Limited X trim was a downside. Rear seats offered adequate legroom and thigh support, with amenities like air conditioning vents and USB ports enhancing passenger comfort.

In terms of storage, the Grand Cherokee had a functional if not extensive setup, with useful trays and bins but limited space in the glovebox and center armrest bin. Thoughtful touches like grocery bag hooks on the seatbacks added practical value.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander shone in terms of passenger and cargo space, crucial for families. A set of shelves positioned ahead of the front seats provided ample storage for large cell phones, complemented by convenient pass-throughs for charging cords. Second-row legroom was generous, with seats that could slide forward or backward to optimize space for third-row passengers. Though the third row was snug for adults, it was manageable for short trips.

Cargo capacity was notable, with 16 cubic feet behind the third row, 48.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.3 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded down. While it didn’t match the cargo capacity of a minivan, it was competitive within its class, offering more space than the Honda Pilot.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee was equipped with the renowned Uconnect infotainment system, featuring an 8.4-inch touchscreen in the Limited X trim, with navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Guardian connected services. A 4G LTE WiFi plan was available, supporting up to eight devices. An optional 9-speaker Alpine sound system offered decent audio quality, but it paled in comparison to the high-end 19-speaker Harman Kardon system available in other trims. Unique to Jeep were the Off-Road Pages and Performance Pages apps, useful for off-road enthusiasts and performance tracking.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander offered an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, with a 12.3-inch option available from the Limited trim upwards and standard on Platinum trim. The larger screen was visually impressive, though it only utilized part of its real estate for certain apps. Navigation struggled with locating points of interest, but standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided reliable alternatives. The JBL audio system was satisfactory but not exceptional.

Jeep packed the 2020 Grand Cherokee with three ADAS packages: ProTech I, ProTech II, and Advanced ProTech II. Standard safety features included a reversing camera, parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional features in higher packages included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and semi-autonomous parking assist.

Despite these features, the Grand Cherokee's crash-test results were disappointing. The NHTSA awarded it an overall rating of 4 stars, with a 3-star rollover resistance rating for RWD models. The IIHS gave it a Marginal rating for driver protection and a Poor rating for front passenger protection in small overlap frontal testing. Headlight ratings were Poor unless upgraded.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Highlander was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, intersection support, road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. The NHTSA awarded the Highlander five stars, and the IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick+, reflecting its robust safety performance.