2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2020 Cadillac XT4

The 2020 Cadillac 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. The XT4's exterior was visually appealing with crisp, tailored styling, although it had an excessive front overhang. Inside, the cabin used competitive quality materials, but some elements, like the plain black trim around the power window controls, felt out of place in a luxury vehicle.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, with its timeless design, continued to impress more than a decade after its debut. The Grand Cherokee's design balanced rugged utility and upscale sophistication, contributing to its ongoing success. The lineup ranged from the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the upscale Overland and Summit trims, with performance models like the SRT and Trackhawk. The test vehicle, a Summit trim, featured a 5.7-liter V8 engine, four-wheel drive, extra-cost paint, the Platinum Series Group, and the Signature Leather-Wrapped Interior Package, totaling $68,185. The Platinum Series Group enhanced the Grand Cherokee's premium look, while the interior boasted premium leather, genuine wood, real aluminum, and simulated suede, creating a luxurious feel despite some aging elements.

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, but the FWD model experienced front-wheel slip and torque steer. The nine-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts but was hesitant to downshift in Tour mode, a problem that persisted, though less frequently, 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, though the oversized wheels offered impressive grip and the brakes performed well.

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, and capable of towing up to 6,200 pounds. An optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine, with 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, provided a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,200 pounds. The V8, equipped with cylinder deactivation technology, returned 18.2 mpg on a mountainous loop. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system, with a two-speed transfer case, hill-descent control, and Selec-Terrain traction management, along with the Quadra-Lift air suspension, made it capable off-road. The Summit trim offered a comfortable and quiet ride, though the V8 consumed more fuel in the city, and the air suspension could feel bouncy. The Grand Cherokee's tight turning radius and effective brakes were useful in various driving situations.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4's interior provided comfort for the driver and front passenger, with soft leather, padded armrests, and heated, ventilated, and massaging seats. The rear seats were heated and had air conditioning vents, with ample legroom but a flat cushion. The XT4's air conditioning system was highly effective, and the climate controls were elegantly arranged. The cabin offered plenty of storage space, but cargo capacity was limited to 22.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 48.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. A hands-free power liftgate was available.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured flat, firm, and supportive seats with a heated steering wheel. The Signature Leather-Wrapped Interior Package added luxurious leather and interior panels. Both front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, with controls embedded in the Uconnect infotainment system. The rear seat was comfortable but had snug legroom for taller adults, and the optional rear-seat entertainment system added to a sense of claustrophobia. The Grand Cherokee's interior storage was adequate, but the rear-seat entertainment system took up space in the center console bin. Cargo space measured 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 68.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, with thoughtful storage solutions and a power liftgate closing button.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 featured the latest version of the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) system, which was easier to use than previous versions. The test vehicle included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, Cadillac Connected Access services, and near-field communication pairing to Bluetooth. The 8-inch touchscreen, center console controls, and voice-recognition system provided multiple ways to interact with CUE, though improvements were needed, such as a larger screen and better integration of the climate system. The optional 13-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround audio system offered a satisfying listening experience, but the test car lacked some advanced features like a head-up display and a rear camera mirror.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee's Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system remained impressive, with 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 infotainment system's voice recognition technology worked well, and the Summit trim featured a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The Grand Cherokee offered essential technology features and advanced driving assistance systems, but it was considered "tech lite" compared to the upcoming 2022 model.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 added several standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and the Safety Alert Seat system. Premium Luxury and Sport trims 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 and high-speed automatic emergency braking were available in the Driver Assist Package. The XT4 received a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, but the IIHS had not completed all testing.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee had mixed safety ratings. The 4WD model received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, while the 2WD model received four stars due to a three-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS gave the Grand Cherokee "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings for small-overlap frontal-impact collisions and "Poor" ratings for headlights unless upgraded. The Summit trim included the ProTech II Package with 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. The Grand Cherokee also featured a backup camera, parking sensors, and a ParkSense parking assistance system.