2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar presented a balanced design, sitting comfortably between the sleek Evoque and the robust Range Rover. Its low roof and steeply-raked windshield gave it a unique profile, distinct from the traditional upright Range Rover look. The Velar maintained its SUV identity with a broad front end and short overhangs, enhancing its off-road capabilities. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier elements, such as larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, along with standard 21-inch wheels. Inside, the Velar offered a luxurious experience with high-quality leather and metal trim, creating a cockpit-like feel that was more suited to urban environments.

In contrast, the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee retained its classic design, appealing to a broad audience with its traditional Jeep styling, including a 7-slot grille and trapezoidal fenders. The Grand Cherokee's design was versatile, fitting in both rugged trails and upscale settings. The Limited X trim featured a sport-themed front bumper and 20-inch aluminum wheels, adding a mild-custom appearance. Inside, the Grand Cherokee offered comfort with heated, power-adjustable front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. However, the use of hard plastics in more expensive models was a point of contention, detracting from the overall premium feel.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar introduced a significant performance upgrade with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, featuring a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, reaching a top speed of 177 mph. Despite these impressive figures, the Velar's performance was not class-leading, with competitors like the BMW X3 M Competition and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S offering quicker acceleration. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined driving experience, though it felt large on tight roads. The rest of the Velar's powertrain lineup included a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and a 3.0-liter supercharged V6, both offering respectable performance. Off-road capabilities were supported by Land Rover's Terrain Response system, although the Velar's single-speed transfer case limited its off-road prowess.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a range of engine options, starting with a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower. 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 the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the Trackhawk, delivering a staggering 707 hp. The Trackhawk's performance was remarkable, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds. The Grand Cherokee's off-road capabilities were highlighted by the Trailhawk model, equipped with all-terrain tires and a robust 4WD system. On-road dynamics were mixed, with impressive grip from the large wheels and tires, but the ride could be bouncy and transmit road imperfections. The steering and brakes were average, balancing daily driving needs with off-road capabilities.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a unique position in terms of size, being larger than compact luxury SUVs but smaller than midsize counterparts. Despite its size, the Velar's interior space was not class-leading, with competitors offering more legroom and headroom. Cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's avant-garde styling contributed to a cramped interior feel, with limited visibility due to the chopped roof and tall hood. Towing capacity was respectable, with the V6 and SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition models capable of towing 5,511 pounds.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered seating for five and a cargo space of 36.3 cubic feet behind the backseat, expanding to 68.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The interior provided comfort with heated, power-adjustable front seats, though the lack of ventilated seats in the Limited X trim was a drawback. Rear passengers enjoyed adequate legroom and amenities like air conditioning vents and USB ports. Interior storage was decent, with useful trays and bins, though the glovebox was limited in space. Thoughtful touches like grocery bag hooks added convenience.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens handling various functions. The system included a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and smartphone integration. While the graphics and layout were praised, the system's slow response times were a downside. Additional tech features included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls, though they were prone to glare.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee's Uconnect infotainment system was known for its speed and ease of use, though competitors had caught up in recent years. The Limited X trim included an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, smartphone integration, and connected services. An optional 9-speaker Alpine sound system provided good audio quality. Unique to Jeep, the Off-Road Pages app offered valuable information for off-roading adventures. The system's voice recognition was user-friendly, though the ride's bounciness could make touchscreen use challenging.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, as low-volume luxury vehicles were not prioritized for testing. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and parking aids. Optional features like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available, though Land Rover's offerings were less sophisticated compared to competitors.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three ADAS packages, with ProTech I providing basic features like 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's crash-test ratings were unimpressive, with a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and poor ratings from the IIHS in certain tests.