2020 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler was instantly recognizable on the road with its circular headlights, seven-slat grille, and boxy styling. Its industrial look was accentuated by exposed hinges and bolts, and the removable top added to its rugged persona. Inside, Jeep maintained a retro look with circular climate vents and gauges, focusing on utility over luxury. The Wrangler Unlimited came in various trims, from the basic Sport with manual windows and locks to the upscale Sahara and the off-road king, Rubicon. Special editions like the Willys and Black and Tan added unique touches to the lineup.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse, on the other hand, relied on styling details to differentiate its trim levels. The exterior was a clean, handsome design, though it lacked the personality of some competitors. The RS model featured blacked-out trim, while the High Country had chrome accents. The Traverse shared its platform with the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Cadillac XT6 but aimed for a more blue-collar feel. Inside, the standout feature was the optional Dual SkyScape sunroof, and while materials were decent, they didn't quite justify the $50,000 MSRP of higher trims.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited offered a base 3.6-liter V6 engine with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission. A turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque was also available. New for 2020 was a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine, producing 260 hp and an impressive 442 lb-ft of torque. The diesel engine excelled in low-speed torque, making it ideal for off-road adventures. However, the Wrangler's on-road performance was noisy and rough, with unique blind spots and a tendency to wander on the highway. Fuel economy for the diesel engine was 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined, a marked improvement over the gas-powered versions.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came with a single engine option: a 3.6-liter V6 producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. While the V6 didn't feel particularly strong off the line, it provided ample power for highway merging and overtaking. The Traverse impressed with its quiet cabin and comfortable ride on the highway, thanks to standard active noise cancellation and a well-tuned suspension. However, it lacked agility on twisty roads, partly due to its AWD system, which required manual activation. The Traverse had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, average for the segment.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler was available in two-door and four-door Unlimited versions. The four-door Unlimited was more popular, offering about 72 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear bench lowered flat. The Wrangler's doors and windshield were removable, and the roof could be retracted or removed in various ways, including a new Sky One-Touch roof option. While cargo space was less than that of less-capable SUVs, the Wrangler's unique features made it a standout for off-road enthusiasts.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse offered seating for seven or eight, with above-average headroom and legroom in all three rows. Cargo space was a significant advantage, with 23.0 cubic feet with all seats in place, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and 98.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. Higher trims featured a gesture-activated liftgate and a power 60/40 split-folding third row. However, interior storage options were limited compared to minivans, which offered more practicality for carrying people and cargo.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler's Sport and Sport S trims came with a basic 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while the Rubicon and Sahara featured a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An 8.4-inch Uconnect system with navigation, HD Radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was available on higher trims. The Alpine premium audio system provided excellent sound quality, even at highway speeds.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse's standard infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a Bose 10-speaker audio system. The Traverse also featured a rearview camera mirror and an optional HD surround-view camera system. Chevy provided two USB ports for each row, with wireless phone charging standard on Premier and High Country models.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler came with standard safety features like airbags, electronic roll mitigation, and a backup camera. Optional safety packages included rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control, and full-speed forward-collision warning.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse received top safety scores from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. However, it offered less standard driver-assist tech than competitors. Features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist were optional, while many rivals included these as standard.