2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Grand Cherokee’s 8 trims make it a tab bit confusing when choosing which one to buy. Luckily, we have broken them down into simpler words for easy comprehension. 

All the trims use the same 3.6L V6.

Laredo is an attractive option for those who want the most out of the least amount of money. The Upland and Altitude trims sport a more stylish set of black rims and tinted taillights. The Limited adds the interior finished in leather, along with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Overland trim adds a Quadra lift air suspension system, High-intensity Bi-Xenon headlights, a dual-pane panoramic sunroof and leather, and wood interiors. The High Altitude trim provides the drive assist features as standard. It also has an active noise canceling system. Reaching the Summit, we see a 19 speaker high-performance Harman Kardon speaker system, heated and ventilated front-row seats and 20-inch aluminum seats.

Trim	Laredo	Laredo E	Upland	Altitude	Limited	Limited X	Trailhawk	Overland	High Altitude	Summit
MSRP 4X2	$32,195	$34,045	$36,145	$38,140	$39,445	$44,345	N/A	$46,245	$48,740	$52,540
MSRP 4X4	$34,495	$36,045	$38,640	$40,440	$41,445	$46,345	$45,150	$49,245	$51,740	$55,540
Key Features	Blind Spot Monitoring	8 Way power Driver seat with 4 way power lumbar adjustment	Universal Remote Transmitter	Uconnect 4C with 8.4 inch touchscreen	Heated capri leather driver and front passenger seats	Distinctive Limited X Badging	Remote activated perimeter/approach lights	Dual Pane panoramic sunroof	Black nappa perforated leather trimmed seats	Harmon Kardon High Performance Audio System feature 19 speakers with acive noise cancellation
	Rear Cross Path Detection		Heated Steering Wheel	Heated Leather wrapped steering wheel	Heated Multifunctional power exterior chrome mirrors	Granite Crystal Exterior Accents	Black and Metal Grille	Quadra Lift Air Suspension System	Low gloss granite crystal badging, grille bezels, step pad and taillamps	Heated and Ventilated first row leather seats
	Rear Backup Camera with Park Assist		20 inch Gloss Black Wheels with All-Terain Tires	Power Liftgate	18 inch polished aluminum wheels	20 inch low gloss granite crystal wheels	Single Sunroof	20 inch polished/tech gray aluminum wheel	20 inch wheel with granite crystal low gloss finish	20 inch fully polished aluminum wheels
	Uconnect 4 with a 7 inch Touchscreen		Gloss Black Exterior Finishes	Remote ignition		Black Interior with Liquid Titanium finishes and heritage seats	Trailhawk Leather/Suede Seats	Bi Xenon High Intensity Discharge Headlamps with Signature LED Daytime running lamps	Jeep Active Safety Group	Illiminated Sill Plated and Premium Headliner
	Keyless Entry		Desert Sky accent on badging	Heated front seats			Red Tow Hooks	Rain sensing windshield wipers	Black Chrome Dual Exhaust tips	Adaptive cruise control with stop
	Cruise Control		Black Tow Hooks					Nappa leather trimmed interior with real wood and leather wrapped heated steering wheel		Forward collision warning with active braking
	Keyless Ignition		Black Interior with Blue accent stiching and black premium cloth seats					Nine Speaker Alpine Audio System with active noise cancellation		Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist
	Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel									Lane Departure warning with lane keep assist
	Interior Air Filteration

Which trim to buy?

According to us, the Limited trim is your best bet. Priced at $39k, the Limited gives a good combination of features as well as cosmetic upgrades. Upon the standard, it adds features like an 8-way power-adjustable driver seat, universal remote transmitter, a heated steering wheel, and front seats and 18-inch aluminum wheels. Leather-wrapped seats come standard with this trim. Opting for the optional Protech II package will provide autonomous driving functionalities such as the Forward collision warning, Lane Departure Warning, Automatic high beams, Advanced brake assist, Parallel and perpendicular park assist, rain-sensing wipers and adaptive cruise control.

Jeep has seen no need to update the engine which comes standard with the Grand Cherokee, and rightly so. Its naturally aspirated V6 is a powerhouse, which is more than capable of thrusting the heft of the Grand Cherokee. The engine makes a healthy 295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Making Power is delivered uninterrupted via an 8-speed automatic transmission. The gear shifts are smooth and reliable. Swift pedal response is what awaits you at any moment. 

Models	Jeep Grand Cherokee	Dodge Durango	Honda Pilot	Ford Explorer
MSRP	$32,195	$30,495	$31,550	$33,690
Engine	3.6L Naturally Aspirated V6	3.6L V6	3.5L V6	2.3L Turbocharged 4 Cylinder
Transmission	8 Speed Automatic Transmission	8 Speed Automatic Transmission	6 Speed Automatic	10 Speed Automatic
Horsepower	295hp	293hp	280hp	300hp
Torque	260 lb-ft	260 lb-ft	262 lb-ft	310 lb-ft

The Jeep Durango’s $30k price tag with a marginally nonexistent price decrease. Armed with an engine similar to the Grand Cherokee, it’s 3.6L V6 makes 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. It's the cheapest of the bunch. The Honda Pilot has a slightly smaller engine than the Grand Cherokee making slightly less power, 208 horsepower, but produced a marginally higher torque, 262 lb-ft. The most expensive car here, the Ford Explorer, is powered by a 2.3L Turbocharged 4 Cylinder engine making 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Not a bad increase in power for the slightly higher sticker price.

Is it any Quick?

The Jeep Grand Cherokee speeds away with unexpected refinement. It is capable of going from 0 to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds. The pedal response is swift and satisfying. Its acceleration feels underwhelming only when compared to its bigger siblings, the Grand Cherokee SRT and the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk.

Models	Jeep Grand Cherokee	Dodge Durango	Honda Pilot	Ford Explorer
0-60 MPH	6.7 Seconds	7.6 Seconds	8 Seconds	6.8 seconds
Quarter mile	15.2 Seconds	15.8 Seconds	15.1 Seconds	15.3 seconds
Engine	3.6L Naturally Aspirated V6	3.6L V6	3.5L V6	2.3L Turbocharged 4 Cylinder
Emission (Tons/yr. of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	8.4	8.4	8	7.3

The Grand Cherokee is the fastest in the bunch doesn't help its lighter competitors, the Honda Pilot and the Ford Explorer. The Grand Cherokee has the quickest acceleration of the bunch. In the Quarter mile, the Honda Pilot is able to outperform the Jeep Grand Cherokee by 0.1 seconds. The Dodge Durango, with its 7.6 second 0-60, is the slowest of the bunch.

How is the Braking performance like?

The Grand Cherokee has decent braking performance. The pedal feels firm, but light. Carrying a curb weight of 4625 pounds, its ability to spot from 60 mph in 124 feet which is respectable for a vehicle this size. 

Model	Jeep Grand Cherokee	Dodge Durango	Honda Pilot	Ford Explorer
Brake Front (in.)	13	13	12.6	12.8
Brake Rear (in.)	13	13	13	12.8
Curb Weight (lbs.)	4625	4989	4036	4443
60-0 MPH (ft.)	124 Feet	127 Feet	123 Feet	125 Feet

The shortest stopping distance was recorded by the Honda Pilot with 123 feet, while the farthest was recorded by the Dodge Durango. However, these results were expected because of the weight of the respective vehicles.

How does it Handle and Ride?

While the ride quality and the handling confidence provides a premium feel to the driver, the steering does feel a little tacky in high-speed cornering. That being said, with its excellent road manners and radical offroading capabilities, the Grand Cherokee is the perfect choice for long trips. The suspension feels optimally tuned and is ready to deliver what is required, whether driving on tarmac or on dirt.

The available Quadra Trac mode is Jeep's optional offroader mode which they offer with its 4x4 Grand Cherokee. It comes equipped with an electronic limited-slip differential. It will detect tire slip and smoothly deliver the tires with traction. This can potentially limit the amount of slip, if not completely eliminating it.

The Grand Cherokee’s Pentastar V6 comes equipped with an engine start-stop feature that turns the engine off when it comes to a complete halt. This helps in increasing its fuel efficiency. Still, the Grand Cherokee is one of the least efficient cars in the bunch. With a combined Average of 21 MPG, the Grand Cherokee makes 18 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway. These numbers are to be expected considering its weight and engine. 

Model	Jeep Grand Cherokee	Dodge Durango	Honda Pilot	Ford Explorer
MPG (city)	18	19	19	17
MPG (highway)	25	26	27	24
MPG (combined)	21	21	22	20

The Honda Pilot is the most efficient of the bunch while the Ford Explorer is the least efficient. The Grand Cherokee and the Durango are almost identical, but if we’re splitting hairs, the Durango is slightly more efficient. 

The interior of the Jeep Grand Cherokee stands true to its name, Grand. Plush interiors with high-quality materials almost everywhere. There are some areas of expectations where the build quality feels inferior. For example, the plastics of the gauge cluster felt a little underwhelming. Other than that though, the interior is surrounded by premium-feeling seats, the material of which depends on the trim.

The cabin is spacious. Plenty of room both in the front and the back. The tilting and telescoping steering wheels make it easy for a driver of any size to comfortably sit. The driver view is plentiful but the tick A-pillars sometimes obstruct view while turning. The cabin is generally quiet with the exception of engine noise, although, it sounds good. Tire noise is minimal. 

Model	Jeep Grand Cherokee	Dodge Durango	Honda Pilot	Ford Explorer
Passenger capacity	5	5	8	7
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.9/58.7/40.3	39.9/58.5/40.3	40.1/62/40.9	41.4/61.5/42.9
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.2/58/38.6	39.8/50.4/38.6	40.2/62/38.4	40.6/61/39.5

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. 

What does the Infotainment system have on offer?

The Jeep Grand Cherokee comes equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen display powered by the award-winning UConnect system. The touchscreen is responsive and intuitive. In the higher trims, the touch screen becomes an 8.4-inch display and comes with either a 9 or 19 speaker set up. The UConnect infotainment system feels intuitive to use and isn't dull in responsiveness. The Display is legible in Bright Sunlight and you won't have any problems, navigating through the display either.

How well does the Grand Cherokee fare on the Cargo front?

The Grand Cherokee’s cargo space may not be class-leading but it is plentiful. A 36.3 cubic feet space with a power liftgate makes it a sensible choice for any long trip. With the seats up, the Ford Explorer is the only car with a cargo space lower that the Grand Cherokee.

Model	Jeep Grand Cherokee	Dodge Durango	Honda Pilot	Ford Explorer
Cargo Volume with rear seats up (ft.3)	36.3	47.7	16.5	21
Cargo Volume with rear seats down (ft.3)	68.3	84.5	83.9	80.7

Here too, the Grand Cherokee is at the back of the bunch. Even with the seats down, it only has around 68 cubic feet of space, about 13 cubic feet less than the nearest competitor.

The Grand Cherokee is big and bold. It has a character that makes it stand out. Unlike other SUVs, even some of its competitors, the Grand Cherokee looks aggressive and merciless. This Sporty look appeals to a specific kind of crowd that want their vehicle to introduce them before they themselves have to. 

The angular cuts, the low aggressive bumper, and the iconic 7 slot front grille mark the identity of any Jeep.

Model	Jeep Grand Cherokee	Dodge Durango	Honda Pilot	Ford Explorer
Curb weight (lbs.)	4625	4989	4036	4443
Length(in)	190.7	199.8	190.9	184.3
Width(in)	76.5	75.8	78.6	78.9
Height(in)	69.3	70.9	70.6	70
Ground clearance (in)	8.6	8.1	8.4	7.8
Wheelbase (in)	114.8	119.8	111	112.8
Track width (in) F/R	63.9/64.1	63.9/64.1	66.3/66.3	67/67

All cars in this comparison have comparative dimensions. The Dodge Durango is the longest and the heaviest. The Grand Cherokee has the most ground clearance. 

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee has not been rated by any safety organisation yet but it has a plethora of safety features. We have already talked about the driver assist features it has. Other than that, it includes the following safety features:

• 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 2020 Dodge Durango is the only vehicle which comes closest to the Grand Cherokee in terms of character. With its similar engine and comparable performance, the Durango is a natural competitor to the Grand Cherokee. The choice between the Durango and the Grand Cherokee falls on the which detail the customer prioritizes on.

Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. Honda Pilot 

The Honda Pilot has a lot of potential. It is lighter, more agile and has a better fuel economy than the Grand Cherokee. On the other hand, the Grand Cherokee feels more robust, has better acceleration, and in the higher trims, offers much more features than the Honda Pilot.

Jeep Grand Cherokee vs.  Ford Explorer

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

 

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a legend in the American SUV market. Its a name, synonymous with performance and off-roading. It stays true to the “Sport” in “Sport Utility Vehicle”, The Grand Cherokee has maintained the flair it was introduced with. It may have been modernized over the years, but it still remains true to its roots at its core.