Cadillac XT4 vs Jeep Grand Cherokee L

Cadillac's 2020 XT4 employed a “Y” trim level strategy, starting with the standard Luxury trim and offering upgrades to Premium Luxury or Sport trim. The test vehicle featured Premium Luxury trim, front-wheel drive, Silver Radiant metallic paint, 20-inch aluminum wheels, a navigation system, a Bose premium audio system, and several option packages, totaling $45,660. Visually, the XT4 stood out with its crisp, tailored styling and 20-inch alloy wheels, though it had an excessive front overhang. Inside, the cabin was pleasant with competitive quality materials, despite some shortcuts like the plain black trim around the power window controls.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was a new seven-passenger model, distinct from the existing Grand Cherokee. It featured an extended-length version of the upcoming redesigned 2022 Grand Cherokee, with a third-row seat and more cargo volume. The Grand Cherokee L's styling was a strong selling point, resembling a smaller version of the more expensive Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models. The test vehicle, with Summit trim, 4WD, metallic paint, and several option packages, totaled $64,770. The interior boasted quilted and perforated leather, real wood trim, and advanced technology, though some materials didn't meet the high price expectations.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, available from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm. A nine-speed automatic transmission powered the front or all four wheels, with the EPA rating the FWD XT4 at 26 mpg. The test vehicle returned 24.8 mpg. The XT4's lively driving character was attributed to its fat band of torque, though front-wheel slip and torque steer were issues with FWD. The nine-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts but was hesitant to downshift in Tour mode, a problem somewhat mitigated in Sport mode. The XT4's interior needed better isolation from engine and road noise, and the suspension struggled with speed humps and smaller bumps. However, the oversized wheels offered impressive grip, and the brakes performed well.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, generating 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive or three different 4WD systems. The V6 had a maximum tow rating of 6,200 pounds and an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined. An optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, available only with 4WD, produced 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, increasing towing capacity to 7,200 pounds but reducing fuel economy to 17 mpg combined. The test vehicle, with the V6 engine and 4WD, offered brisk acceleration but was loud when revved, and the eight-speed automatic sometimes resisted downshifts. The Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension provided 8.3 inches of ground clearance in Normal mode, with two Off-Road settings raising it to 10.9 inches. The Grand Cherokee L handled well on uneven pavement and offered a smooth ride, with capable handling and a secure on-center steering feel on the highway.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4's interior offered comfort for the driver and front passenger, with soft leather, padded armrests, and heated, ventilated, and massaging seats. The rear passenger compartment felt roomier than many small SUVs, though the rear seat cushion lacked support. The XT4's air conditioning system performed well, rapidly cooling the interior during a Southern California heatwave. The climate controls were elegantly arranged, and the cabin offered ample storage space. However, cargo space was limited, with 22.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 48.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's Summit trim featured heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats with 12-way power adjustment, a heated steering wheel, and a four-zone automatic climate control system. However, the dashboard vents were too small, making it difficult to cool the cabin quickly. The second-row captain's chairs provided plenty of legroom and comfort, with manual side window sunshades. The third-row seat was comfortable for all but the tallest adults, with large side windows offering a great view. The Grand Cherokee L lacked practical storage space for front-seat occupants, though second-row passengers had a storage console. Cargo space measured 17.2 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, 46.9 cubic feet with the third-row seat folded down, and 84.6 cubic feet behind the front seats.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 featured the latest version of the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) system, which was much improved from previous versions. The test vehicle included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, Cadillac Connected Access services, and near-field communication pairing to Bluetooth for two devices. The 8-inch display was a touchscreen, with intuitive controls on the center console and steering wheel, and a voice-recognition system. However, the screen needed to be larger, and the climate system should be integrated with the voice-recognition system. The optional 13-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround audio system provided a satisfying listening experience, though the test car lacked some features like a head-up display or a rear camera mirror.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L employed the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering faster response and an improved user experience. The test vehicle had a 10.1-inch touchscreen with navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and connected services including a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The natural voice-recognition system worked well, though it occasionally provided unexpected results. The optional 19-speaker McIntosh high-end audio system sounded terrific, though the logo didn't fit the interior's vibe. Depending on the trim level, the Grand Cherokee L also offered a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel, a digital rearview mirror, a thermal-imaging night vision system, and a Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring system. The head-up display remained visible to drivers wearing polarized sunglasses.

For the 2020 model year, the Cadillac XT4 added forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and the Safety Alert Seat system to its standard equipment list. These features joined a rear-seat reminder, Teen Driver parental report card technology, and two free years of automatic collision notification and emergency assistance service. Premium Luxury or Sport trim added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and lane-change warning systems. The Driver Awareness Package included automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a following-distance indicator. Adaptive cruise control required the Driver Assist Package, which also included high-speed automatic emergency braking and reverse automatic braking. The XT4 received a 5-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Good ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for moderate-overlap frontal-impact and side-impact protection.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, a hands-on driving-assistance system combining adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-centering assistance. The system worked well, though the steering assist felt artificial. For the 2022 model year, Active Driving Assist would become a hands-free system. The Grand Cherokee L also featured Intersection Collision Assist, which could detect threats at intersections and apply the brakes if necessary. The Jeep offered a complete package of driving assistance and collision avoidance technologies, including Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist. As of the review, crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the new Grand Cherokee L was expected to improve upon the old model's flaws.