2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2020 Volvo XC90

The 2020 Volvo XC90 presented itself as a pinnacle of modern Volvo design, shedding its old boxy image for a more sophisticated and stylish appearance. The SUV stood as proof that a tall and spacious vehicle could be equally, if not more, beautiful than a low-slung sedan. The R-Design trim, in particular, featured blacked-out, honeycomb treatment on the grille's classic silver bars and the intersecting diagonal Volvo logo, complemented by black window surrounds, mirrors, a prominent chin spoiler, and striking 22-inch rims. The "Thor's hammer" LED headlights and the curvaceous LED taillights in the rear highlighted its identity unmistakably as a Volvo. The elegant design details, like the arching shoulder crease, provided an appearance of stability and width—indicative of the classic Volvo touch first seen in the S80 sedan from 1999.

The exterior of the test model, finished in Thunder Grey Metallic, featured a sophisticated contrast with its beige-leather and aluminum interior. The interior materials included a variety of luxurious trims such as wool fabric and carbon-fiber options, depending on the model. The seating was particularly remarkable, providing heavenly comfort and support, including massage options and power-adjustable thigh extensions. The rear seats, designed either as a bench or separate captain's chairs, mirrored the front seats' comfort. Fine details like the Swedish flag tag on the seat, the twist-action ignition knob, and a beautifully integrated vertical touchscreen showcased Volvo's craftsmanship. Every touchpoint inside exuded quality and the attention to detail that Volvo put into its XC90 placed it at a high standard of interior luxury, one that many competitors struggled to meet.

By contrast, the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite its decade-old design, maintained a timeless and classic utility-focused look. With Jeep’s iconic 7-slot grille and trapezoidal fenders, it had a balanced appearance that fit perfectly in both rugged trails and upscale venues. The Grand Cherokee appealed to a diverse range of buyers, transcending the traditional social classes defined by income, education, gender, and race.

The model lineup for the Grand Cherokee ranged significantly in pricing, from the base Laredo at $32,150 to the Summit at $52,495, including variations like the high-performance SRT and Trackhawk models. The test model, a Limited X trim priced at $53,275, sported Slate Blue Pearl paint, a ventilated hood, sport-themed bumper, and 20-inch Granite Crystal aluminum wheels that gave it a custom but elegant appearance.

Once inside the Grand Cherokee, the level of luxury didn’t quite match the exterior's promise. Higher-priced models showed disappointingly more hard plastics, reducing the overall sophisticated feel. Although the seats were heated and power-adjustable, the lack of ventilation options and the confusing integration of seat heater controls with the infotainment system detracted from a seamless experience. Nevertheless, the leather-wrapped steering wheel and well-padded armrests added comfort, while backseat passengers enjoyed adequate space and amenities like air conditioning vents and USB ports.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains across various configurations, including turbocharged, supercharged, and hybrid options. The base T5 model produced 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, which was generally considered underwhelming for a vehicle its size. The T6 model improved upon this with the addition of a supercharger, reaching 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, making it more compatible with the XC90’s size and intended performance. For those seeking more, the Polestar tune available on the T6 further boosted the numbers to 330 hp and 325 lb-ft. Despite these upgrades, the XC90 didn’t perform like a sports SUV. The acceleration was acceptable but often felt lagging, and its shift quality wasn’t comparable to the likes of BMW. Furthermore, the fuel economy wasn’t impressive, averaging 20 mpg over 800 miles of highway driving, with the T6 AWD rated at 18 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.

The pinnacle of Volvo’s powertrain offering was the T8 plug-in hybrid, capable of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, featuring an 11.6-kWh battery for up to 18 gas-free miles. This hybrid, however, didn’t feel significantly faster than the T6 and was heavy, affecting its agility. Its fuel economy, once the battery depleted, was only slightly better with a combined rating of 27 mpg.

Meanwhile, the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a robust 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, delivering 21 mpg combined driving according to the EPA, although real-world testing revealed a slightly lower 19.4 mpg. For those desiring more power, the Grand Cherokee offered several V8 engine options. The 5.7-liter “Hemi” V8 offered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, a considerable improvement over the base engine. For performance enthusiasts, the 6.4-liter “Hemi” V8 in the SRT delivered 475 hp and 470 lb-ft, while the Trackhawk’s supercharged 6.2-liter V8 from the Dodge Challenger Hellcat achieved a staggering 707 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, boasting a 0-60 mph acceleration time of just 3.5 seconds.

In real-world performance, the Trackhawk showcased fortified systems optimized for the racetrack, making it a credible off-road contender. The Grand Cherokee's standard configuration included rear-wheel drive with multiple 4WD options, enhancing its capabilities. The Limited X, tested with Quadra-Trac II 4WD, performed admirably off-road with its hill descent control and traction systems. However, its on-road dynamics suffered from excessive suspension movements, producing a bouncy ride and transmitting road imperfections into the cabin.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 featured a refined Sensus infotainment system enhanced for improved responsiveness and overall usability. This system housed all climate controls, creating some interface confusion but largely functioning well once familiarity with the system was achieved. The XC90’s interior embraced seven standard seats, proving beneficial for families, with an option for an integrated booster cushion. In configurations with the T6 and T8 powertrains, a six-seat arrangement was possible but not available in the R-Design trim.

The XC90’s interior space was generous in the first and second rows but less accommodating in the third row, which was best suited for children. Cargo capacity reached up to 85.7 cubic feet with the last two rows folded, offering good utility and visibility from the driver’s seat.

Conversely, the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, with a seating capacity for five and a cargo volume of 36.3 cubic feet behind the backseat expandable to 68.3 cubic feet with the seats folded, sat on the smaller end of the midsize SUV spectrum. The front seats featured heating and 8-way power adjustments, though the lack of ventilated seats and the integration of heater controls within the infotainment display posed inconveniences. The rear seating provided adequate legroom and comfort, with thoughtful touches like rear air vents and USB ports, while interior storage proved sufficient with practical center console and door-panel bins.

Volvo's XC90 included Pilot Assist as standard, encompassing adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist for seamless driving on marked highways. The standout Bowers & Wilkins stereo system, boasting 19 speakers and 1,400 watts, provided an exceptional auditory experience. The vertical touchscreen facilitated easier navigation, although load times for certain apps lagged, and more customization options for the digital screen were desired.

Jeep’s Grand Cherokee employed the Uconnect infotainment system, known for its speed and ease of use. In the Limited X trim, Uconnect featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen, integrated navigation, and compatibility with modern smartphone interfaces such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The voice recognition system functioned well, counterbalancing the occasional difficulty with touchscreen precision due to the Grand Cherokee’s bouncy ride. The Off-Road Pages app provided critical off-road information, while Performance Pages in SRT and Trackhawk models allowed owners to track performance metrics.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 received top safety scores from NHTSA and IIHS, though it fell short of the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation due to headlight performance. Safety features included forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, driver-attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic-sign recognition, reinforcing Volvo’s historical emphasis on safety and innovation.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three ADAS packages: ProTech I, II, and Advanced ProTech II. These included features ranging from basic reversing cameras to full-speed forward collision warnings and adaptive cruise control. Despite these technological inclusions, the Grand Cherokee’s safety ratings were less stellar, with a 4-star overall rating from NHTSA and mixed results from IIHS, particularly in small overlap frontal-impact tests.