2020 Ford Explorer vs 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2020 Ford Explorer boasted an impressive exterior that refined its utilitarian design by slimming down excess body fat, particularly at the rear, providing a lower and more athletic appearance. The widened headlights and extra-large grille, complemented by italic "Explorer" lettering on the hood's edge, made for a recognizable and prominent front. The ST version with black 21-inch rims, blacked-out trim, red brake calipers, Rapid Red paint, and quad exhaust pipes had a particularly striking and sporty look.

Inside, however, the Explorer's interior fell short, especially considering its cost. The leather felt like low-grade vinyl, and much of the interior used flimsy, rough-grained plastic. Although the top of the dashboard was padded and aluminum speaker covers with white stitching helped, the overall all-black monotony and the mediocre materials were a letdown. With a price tag reaching $60,000, it struggled to justify its cost when compared to offerings from Mercedes, Audi, Lexus, and even the more affordable Kia Telluride or Toyota Highlander.

Conversely, the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite its decade-old design, exuded a timeless appeal with traditional Jeep styling cues like the 7-slot grille and trapezoidal fenders. Its balanced appearance made it suitable for both rugged trails and upscale venues, appealing to buyers across a wide range of demographics. Even the Limited X trim, priced at $53,275, featured a ventilated hood design, a sport-themed front bumper, and handsome 20-inch aluminum wheels, giving it a mild-custom, appealing look.

However, the interior of the Grand Cherokee, especially for models priced over $50,000, revealed some disappointments. While premium materials were used in parts, the extensive use of hard plastics detracted from the luxury feel. This issue became more pronounced as the price climbed, reducing the interior's perceived value.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a well-invested choice in available engines and a new rear-wheel-drive (RWD) chassis that provided more even weight distribution. The ST trim, equipped with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 delivering 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, along with a 10-speed automatic transmission, showcased impressive dynamics. It managed flat cornering, precise steering, and superb brake feel, making it remarkably nimble for a three-row SUV. The engine's performance was smooth and powerful, making it competitive even against higher-priced rivals like the Dodge Durango SRT.

The majority of Explorer models featured a 2.3-liter turbo inline-four engine with 300 hp and 310 lb-ft, suitable for various driving needs. For those interested in fuel efficiency, the hybrid version with a 3.3-liter V6 and a single electric motor provided a combined 318 hp, although its tangible fuel-economy benefits were limited. Towing capacity varied, with up to 5,600 pounds for the V6 AWD models and 5,000 pounds for the hybrid.

In contrast, the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a variety of engines. The standard 3.6-liter V6 engine provided 295 hp and satisfactory acceleration, although it returned an average fuel efficiency falling short of the EPA's 21 mpg combined rating. For those desiring more power, the Grand Cherokee offered three V8 options: a 360 hp 5.7-liter Hemi V8, a 475 hp 6.4-liter Hemi V8 in the SRT, and a 707 hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the Trackhawk, the latter capable of a 0-60 mph acceleration in 3.5 seconds.

The Grand Cherokee maintained its off-road credentials with models like the Trailhawk, including all-terrain tires, skid plates, and advanced 4WD systems. On-road dynamics were mixed, with impressive grip but some issues with steering and suspension, which could lead to motion sickness on rough surfaces.

The 2020 Ford Explorer accommodated road trips comfortably for both passengers and cargo. The second row felt spacious with amenities like air vents, USB ports, a center console, and a panoramic moonroof contributing to a first-class feel. The third row was notably more spacious, allowing six-foot-tall adults to fit without feeling cramped, thanks to easier exit and entry via the captain's chairs. Cargo space was generous with 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second row, and a total of 88 cubic feet with all seats folded, making it one of the largest in its class.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, meanwhile, seated five with limited cargo space compared to the Explorer: 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 68.3 cubic feet with them folded. The Limited X trim's front seats were heated and offered 8-way power adjustments, yet lacked the option for ventilated seats. Rear passengers enjoyed comfort with decent legroom, air conditioning vents, and USB ports, while interior storage was adequate but not exceptional.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen featuring Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 4G WiFi, and additional factory navigation options. Keyless entry, remote start, three-zone climate control, and satellite radio were standard. The Premium Technology Package for ST and Platinum models offered a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. Despite its intuitive and high-res interface, customization options for the instrument panel were limited, and some technology felt unfinished, such as the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ system.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured Jeep’s Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM services. Voice recognition was user-friendly, although the ride quality could make touchscreen use challenging. Off-Road Pages, available through Uconnect, provided useful off-roading data, while the Alpine sound system was decent, though not exceptional compared to higher-end audio options.

Standard safety features for the 2020 Ford Explorer included Ford Co-Pilot 360, which provided forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. The optional Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking. The IIHS rated the Explorer "Acceptable" in the small overlap driver's side test, and it has not completed NHTSA testing.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three ADAS packages. ProTech I, standard on all trims, included reversing cameras, parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. ProTech II added forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist, while Advanced ProTech II included full-speed forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and semi-autonomous parking assist. NHTSA awarded the Grand Cherokee a 4-star overall rating and a 3-star rollover rating, while the IIHS results included a "Marginal" rating for driver protection and "Poor" for passenger protection in the small overlap frontal-impact test.