2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV was nearly indistinguishable from its non-hybrid counterparts, save for a subtle “P400e” badge on the tailgate. Land Rover cleverly integrated the charging port into the grille, maintaining the SUV's sleek design without any unnecessary styling changes. This approach was appreciated, as it kept the vehicle's aesthetic appeal intact, despite the added cost of the hybrid powertrain.

Inside, the Range Rover Sport PHEV exuded luxury with high-quality materials throughout the cabin. The test vehicle, priced at $93,200 with options, featured striking Firenze Red paint, a black roof, and 21-inch aluminum wheels, enhancing its already impressive looks. The interior offered excellent front-seat comfort with heated and ventilated seats, though the narrow inboard armrests were less comfortable. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed a tall riding position and a panoramic glass roof, which brightened the black-on-black interior.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite its decade-old design, still looked contemporary and appealing. It featured traditional Jeep styling cues like a 7-slot grille and trapezoidal fenders, making it versatile enough for both rugged trails and upscale settings. The Grand Cherokee's design transcended social class, appealing to a diverse range of buyers.

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 available at $68,895 and $87,400, respectively. The tested Limited X model, priced at $53,275, featured a Slate Blue Pearl paint, a sport-themed front bumper, and 20-inch aluminum wheels. The interior, however, was a mixed bag, with premium materials applied over a foundation that lacked substance, especially in models priced over $50,000.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a 141-hp electric motor and a 13-kWh battery, producing a total of 398 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. Land Rover claimed an all-electric driving range of up to 31 miles, but the test vehicle struggled to achieve this, often switching to the gasoline engine prematurely. Despite this, the SUV averaged 25.5 mpg over a 60-mile loop, a notable improvement over previous models.

The Range Rover Sport PHEV offered quick acceleration and a comfortable ride, thanks to its adaptive air suspension and various driving modes. The regenerative brakes, while effective, were somewhat grabby, making smooth stops challenging. Off-road capability remained strong, with multiple traction settings and the ability to ford 33.4 inches of water. However, recharging the battery proved frustrating, often not reaching full capacity despite extended charging times.

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

The Grand Cherokee offered a range of 4WD systems, with the Limited X featuring the Quadra-Trac II system. It handled off-road conditions well, thanks to its Selec-Terrain traction control and hill descent control. 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 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV's higher price tag came with a trade-off in cargo space. The battery's placement under the raised cargo floor reduced the already limited 27.5-cubic-foot space behind the back seat. Additionally, items in the cargo area were prone to falling out when the tailgate was opened. Despite this, the SUV comfortably seated five people, with excellent front-seat comfort and a dual-glove-box design for storage. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed a tall riding position and a panoramic glass roof.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered seating for five and 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the backseat, expanding to 68.3 cubic feet with the backseat folded down. The Limited X trim featured heated, 8-way power-adjustable front seats, though ventilation was not available. Rear passengers had adequate legroom and appreciated the rear air conditioning vents and USB ports. Interior storage was decent, with a handy tray in the center console and sizable door-panel bins.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was complex and could be frustrating to use. Despite spending time setting it up, the system occasionally behaved unpredictably, showing information not requested or reacting slowly to input. The lack of haptic feedback from the touchscreen added to the challenge. While the technology was necessary to manage the vehicle's complexity, it could be a source of frustration for technophobes.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee's Uconnect infotainment system was user-friendly, with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and more. The system was generally easy to use, though the Grand Cherokee's ride could make it difficult to select virtual buttons accurately. The voice recognition system was effective, and the test vehicle included a 9-speaker Alpine sound system. Unique to Jeep, the Off-Road Pages app provided valuable information for off-roading adventures.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with numerous advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), including a new steering-assist system. However, the SUV's head-toss effect and abrupt lane-keeping assist could be distracting. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the vehicle's nearly 5,500-pound weight provided a sense of security in collisions.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three ADAS packages, with features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. Despite these safety features, the Grand Cherokee's crash-test ratings were less impressive. The NHTSA gave it an overall rating of 4 stars, with a 3-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS rated it Marginal for driver protection and Poor for front passenger protection in the small overlap frontal-impact test.