2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Jeep Grand Cherokee is a vehicle that has something for everyone in the market. Starting from $32,295 for the base Laredo variant and going all the way to $5,000, for the range-topping Summit variant. While the lower variants get the 295 hp 3.6L Pentastar engine, the Trackhawk sports a monstrous 707 hp 6.2L supercharged HEMI V8. As expected from a jeep, 4x4 is available in all trims.

There are a mind-boggling 12 variants on offer. The base variant comes equipped with fabric seats where the color scheme can be customized. If you desire some extra oomph inside the cabin, heated and 8-way adjustable leather-wrapped seats and steering wheel become standard in the mid-table Altitude variant.

All the trims of the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV have the standard 3.6-liter V6 engine and an 8-speed manually shiftable automatic transmission. Two-wheel drive or all-wheel drive is standard in all the trims except for the Trailhawk trim which only comes in all-wheel drive.

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We suggest that the mid-level Altitude trim of the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV is the perfect balance with the addition of 20-inch black wheels, leather suede seats, and distinctive front-grille design. Furthermore, the large 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard along with other notable features such as heated steering wheel and front seats, power Liftgate and Uconnect access onboard Wi-Fi.

Several engine options, an 8-speed manually shiftable automatic transmission and all-wheel drive work together in harmony and suffice the need of the user. Any combination or configuration doesn’t hamper the towing capacity which promotes the practicality of the Cherokee.

The 3.6-liter V6 engine is the standard base engine for each model while there are the two optional engines – the 5.7-liter v8 and the turbocharged 3-liter V6 diesel is no longer available 2020. You get rear-wheel drive as standard in the base trim while upper trims come with AWD as standard.

 The 8-speed automatic transmission does a pretty decent job by shifting to the right gear at the precise time although there is a possibility of breaking the synchronization when throttle inputs are oppressive.

While on the other hand, the V8s are an expensive proposition but the kind of power they lay down makes them worth every penny should you decide to spend that type of money.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV along with the Dodge Durango shares an identical engine and 8-speed automatic transmission with similar power output, which are the hottest in the category. With a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Ford Explorer is a more potent and generates 300 horses. The Honda Pilot lurks at the bottom with 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet torque.

Acceleration

In spite of a brawny engine, the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV fails to put out an impressive acceleration. The 3.6-liter V6 engine has an aggressive rumble to it although it isn’t loud and delivers no harshness throughout the rev range at any point and reaches the 60mph mark in 7.6 seconds.

Sharing alike powerhouse, the Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV and the Dodge Durango share the same acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds as well, although the Cherokee outruns the Dodge over a quarter-mile run.

The more expensive 5.7-liter V8 engine provides quick acceleration it certainly lacks the energetic roar that is signature in V8 engines and only does it 0.6 seconds faster, which isn’t what you’d expect after paying so much. 

The Ford Explorer has the quickest acceleration of the bunch. In the quarter-mile, the Honda Pilot is able to defeat the Jeep Grand Cherokee by 0.1 seconds, while its also the slowest of the lot from 0 to 60 mph.

Braking 

Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV has 13-inch front and rear brake discs which are connected to the responsive pedals that firm up instantly and provide decent stopping power. During panic full stops, the Cherokee is prone to nosedives.

The system is marginally better than all the other competitors. The pedals are soft for the first few inches but they harden up well when pushed enthusiastically. 

The Japanese contenders take 123 feet to come to a halt from 60 MPH  because of the lower curb weight.  The farthest distance is recorded by the Dodge Durango. Nevertheless, these results were assumed because of the mass of individual vehicles.

Ride and Handling 

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has a firm ride quality. Going over bad patches of road and potholes makes the chassis shiver which is never expected out of an executive SUV. The high-end models address this to some extent with the Quadra-Lift air suspension but it still leaves something to be desired out of the handling department.

With sheer heft on its side, the Grand Cherokee is not as agile as its competitors. However, the steering is nicely weighted and offers a precise response. The Grand Cherokee feels planted at high speeds and tracks straight making it a good intercity express.

The standard V6 engine of the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV is very fuel-efficient as an SUV while the optional V8 engine is very thirsty and has a lesser fuel economy rating. The V6 has economy rates of 18 mpg in the cities, 25 mpg in the highways and 21 mpg as combined while the V8 has 14 mpg in the cities, 22 mpg in the highways and only 17 mpg combined.

The RWD variant manages to return roughly the same as the opposition. The AWD variant manages to do 14 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway which is far away from its competitors.

The array of similarities goes on with the Grand Cherokee SUV and the Dodge Durango as they share an identical combined mpg respectively.

The Ford Explorer has the lowest economy of 17 mpg and 24 mpg in cities and highways respectively. Honda Pilot, which has the highest economy of 27 mpg on the freeways among the rivals and shares an equivalent in cities with the Cherokee and the Durango.

The front seats of the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV are overstuffed with padding and sufficiently wide yet it doesn’t lose its firmness. There easily accessible levers for the reclining rear seatbacks. The middle seat in the rear is good but enough for an adult. There is generous headroom for the front passengers in spite of the high seating position. Even the rear passengers have enough headroom and legroom.

The rivals here do offer a significantly better passenger volume and a slightly better shoulder room but fare almost similarly in all the other dimensions. The Grand Cherokee is best suited for shuttling 4 people as 5 people will find it a bit of a squeeze.

The Grand Cherokee and Durango have identical cabin space. In the rear, the Durango has more headroom but not as much shoulder room, while the front cabin space is similar. However, their competition is for those who come last. Both the Honda Pilot and the Ford Explorer have more cabin space than the Grand Cherokee, but that increase isn’t substantial. 

Interior Features

• 8-way adjustable power driver and passenger seats
• Multi-level heating
• Rear ventilation ducts
• Split-folding rear seatback
• 2 one-touch power windows and heated mirrors
• External temperature display
• Electrochromatic inside rearview mirror
• Dual illuminating vanity mirrors

Infotainment System

The Grand Cherokee is fitted with all the bells and whistles when It comes to the infotainment system. A 7” TFT touch screen with Uconnect tech and 6 speaker system is now standard. There is also an 8.4” screen paired with a 19 speaker Alpine system with active noise cancellation on the range-topping variants. The interface is snappy and user-friendly.

The infotainment system of the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV showcases the ease of use and edgy performance and the availability of the rear seat dual-screen entertainment is just amazing.

 Cargo Capacity

Being a utility vehicle it is expected to be very practical and useful with the availability of sufficient cargo space and the Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV succeeds in this aspect perfectly. The front passenger seat features a fold-flat option to increase storage. The rear seats fold in a 60/40 ratio in a neat and tidy manner.

Bluntly put forward, cargo capacity is not a strong point of the Grand Cherokee. The vehicle provides a maximum of 68.3 ft space even with all the seats folded. The competitors simply offer more practicality in this segment.

Featuring several trims with different exterior designs, the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV matches the taste of every SUV lover. The large exterior dimensions aren’t a hindrance driving the Cherokee through tight spaces, thanks to the good outside visibility and high seating position. It is easy to place the far corners of the SUV and doesn’t overwhelm you at all.

The curb weight is around the same range as the competition but It is a tad bit smaller when the length, width, and height comes into play. However, It does have a commanding drive position and the outward view is fairly clear. The standard and optional parking gizmos also help the maneuvering capabilities to an extent.

In comparison to its rivals, the Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV only has the highest ground clearance other than being the second heaviest in the lot. The Honda Pilot is the lightest and widest of all and has the least wheelbase. The Dodge Durango along with being the heaviest among the four is also the tallest.

Exterior Features

• Fixed power glass sunroof
• Variable intermittent rain sensing wipers
• Dusk sensing headlamps
• Daytime running lights
• Trailer hitch and wiring
• Manual flip-up Liftgate window
• Cargo tie downs

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee fared ‘Good’ in almost all the sectors when tested by the NHTSA and the IIHS in the previous year. However, It had a major hiccup in the front side overlap test where It fared ‘Marginal” according to the crash tests.

There is a long list of safety features which comprise of both active safety systems and passive safety system working in synergy to keep the occupants safe. The Optional safety package is now available on the high-end Trailhawk and Overland variants. It features tech like the emergency braking system, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning to name a few.

• Rear door child safety locks
• Daytime running lights
• Engine Immobilizer
• Dual front side mounted airbags
• Stability control
• Remote anti theft alarm system
• 4 wheel ABS
• Brake Drying
• Emergency Braking preparation 
• Post collision Safety Systems
• Front and rear head airbags
• Ventilated Front Disk Brakes

Jeep Grand Cherokee vs.  Dodge Durango

The Dodge Durango is a stablemate of the Jeep Grand Cherokee as they share the same underpinnings. The Durango however, has a ferocious look synonymous with Dodge vehicles and in our honest opinion, It looks better than the Grand Cherokee. Although there a variant for everyone on the Jeep but the top end ones are significantly more expensive than the competition.

The Jeep might be more opulent but the Dodge is significantly bigger in dimensions which translates into better space on the inside. The Dodge Durango might be sort of an underdog due to less popular but it does offer better VFM than the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. Honda Pilot 

The Honda Pilot is an SUV that is very similarly priced with an almost identical fuel economy as well. Thankfully, the similarities end right here. The styling on the Honda is very minivan-ish, sans the sliding doors of course. The Jeep, on the other hand, looks superior from every possible angle with its butch and classy looks.

The Grand Cherokee also triumphs on both on and off-road riding capabilities. However, the Honda does offer seating for 8 against that of 5 on the Jeep. It boils down to your needs. Need practicality? Go for the Honda. Want adventure? The Jeep has you covered.

Jeep Grand Cherokee vs.  Ford Explorer

What the Explorer lacks in the performance of fuel economy, it makes up with cabin and cargo space. It may not be the quickest on the road, but it aims to be more efficient. The result is a car that competes which the grand Cherokee’s fervor just fine, but will give a hard time to the Grand Cherokee competing with its strengths. 

Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV is strong, performing utility vehicle with excellent handling and practicality. It is a favorite mid-sized SUV for rough terrains and has the capacity of reaching the mountaintop without dropping a sigh.

It might lack in some aspect than its rivals but with the price tag that comes along with it, it is a pretty good deal for an SUV and it’s a go-go recommendation from us.