2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2020 Lexus GX

The 2020 Lexus GX, despite its age, continued to sport the distinctive hourglass grille design that had become a hallmark of the Lexus lineup. This design, while polarizing on some models, seemed to fit the GX better than its larger sibling, the LX. The GX's exterior updates, including new front-end and headlights, couldn't completely mask its decade-old roots. However, its rugged capability, shared with the Toyota 4Runner, made it a reliable choice for those who valued performance over modern aesthetics.

Inside, the GX's cabin remained largely unchanged from its early 2010s design, featuring a large, chunky center console with big buttons and a recessed infotainment screen. This old-school layout, while outdated for a luxury SUV, worked well for a vehicle designed for rugged use. The GX's interior was practical, with features like operable controls while wearing work gloves, making it a suitable choice for those who needed a tough, capable SUV.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, on the other hand, maintained its timeless design, looking as good as it did when it first hit the market over a decade ago. Its rugged utility and upscale sophistication were evident in its big wheels, flared fenders, and balanced proportions. The Grand Cherokee's design contributed to its continued success, appealing to a wide range of buyers, from those seeking a mainstream SUV to those wanting a luxury or performance vehicle.

Our test vehicle, the Summit trim, came with a 5.7-liter V8 engine, four-wheel drive, and a host of premium features. The Platinum Series Group added body-color mirror caps, door handles, side sills, and lower bumpers, giving the Grand Cherokee a more refined look. Inside, the Summit's cabin was dressed in premium materials, including leather, wood, aluminum, and simulated suede, creating a luxurious environment. However, the interior's aging design, with old-school switchgear and non-flush panel fits, indicated that a redesign was overdue.

The 2020 Lexus GX 460 was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and standard 4-wheel drive. While these figures might not impress compared to modern V6 or turbocharged engines, the V8 provided a satisfying swell of power in real-world driving. The GX's light steering, though initially feeling over-boosted, proved to be direct and responsive on the road. The self-leveling air suspension offered a smooth yet composed ride, capable of handling potholes and bumps with ease.

The GX's 4WD system made it a formidable off-road vehicle, capable of tackling deep snow, mud, sand, and more without breaking a sweat. The vehicle's various 4WD modes, adjustable suspension height, and Downhill Assist Control provided excellent control over different terrains. The GX could tow up to 6,500 pounds and had a tight turning radius of 19 feet, making it surprisingly maneuverable for a large SUV. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with an average of 16.3 mpg in combined driving.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine was sufficient for most needs, but an optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 was available, offering 360 horsepower, 390 pound-feet of torque, and a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,200 pounds. The V8 also featured cylinder deactivation technology to improve fuel efficiency, though it still returned only 17 mpg in combined driving.

The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system, hill-descent control, and Selec-Terrain traction management made it a capable off-road vehicle. The Quadra-Lift air suspension provided 4.1 inches of variability, improving efficiency on the highway and increasing ground clearance off-road. The Grand Cherokee Summit handled daily driving well, with responsive performance and a relatively quiet cabin. However, the V8's fuel consumption and occasional bounciness on uneven surfaces were drawbacks.

The 2020 Lexus GX offered second-row captain's chairs on the Premium and Luxury trims, with power-folding third-row seats standard on the Luxury trim. These captain's chairs provided easier access to the third row and a natural barrier between passengers. However, getting into the third row was challenging for adults. With all rear seats folded, the GX offered 64.7 cubic feet of cargo space, less than the Jeep Grand Cherokee's 68.3 cubic feet. The GX's side-opening rear hatch was unique but not particularly advantageous, though the separately opening rear window/hatch was a useful feature.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured a luxurious interior with quilted and perforated leather seats, leather-wrapped panels, and a heated steering wheel. Both front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat was comfortable but had somewhat limited legroom for taller adults. The optional rear-seat entertainment system added to the sense of claustrophobia, but large side windows, a panoramic sunroof, and light gray leather upholstery helped mitigate this. The Grand Cherokee provided 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, with additional storage bins around the spare tire and a power liftgate closing button for convenience. Folding the second-row seats was easy, and the maximum cargo space was 68.3 cubic feet.

The 2020 Lexus GX's infotainment system showed its age with a last-generation Lexus Enform setup. While it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it was a true touchscreen with large buttons for audio, navigation, and climate controls, making it simpler to use than modern Lexus systems with the Remote Touch cursor.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system, which offered a nearly flawless user experience, fast response, and pleasing graphics. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a Jeep Skill for Amazon Alexa. SiriusXM provided satellite radio, Traffic Plus, Travel Link services, and SiriusXM Guardian for remote access and emergency services. The voice recognition technology worked well, and the Summit trim came with a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Despite its age, the Grand Cherokee's infotainment system remained impressive.

The 2020 Lexus GX came standard with the Lexus Safety System+, which included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. It also featured blind-spot monitoring and an available surround-view camera. The GX's great visibility, with large windows and mirrors, added to its safety.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee had mixed safety ratings. While it received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models, it performed poorly in IIHS small-overlap frontal-impact tests. The Grand Cherokee Summit came with the ProTech II Package, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. It also featured a backup camera, parking sensors, and ParkSense parking assistance.