2020 Ford Explorer vs 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2020 Ford Explorer presented a refined and upscale design, shedding excess bulk from its body panels to appear more athletic and lower. Its widened headlights, large grille, and distinctive "Explorer" lettering on the hood gave it a recognizable and handsome face. The ST version, with its black 21-inch rims and quad exhaust pipes, was particularly striking. However, the interior did not match the exterior's appeal. Despite the high price tag, the materials felt subpar, with low-grade vinyl and hard plastics dominating the cabin. The Explorer's interior struggled to justify its cost, especially when compared to more luxurious competitors.

In contrast, the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee maintained its appeal with a design that remained relevant despite its age. Its traditional Jeep styling, including the 7-slot grille and trapezoidal fenders, made it versatile for both rugged trails and upscale settings. The Grand Cherokee offered a wide range of variants, from the base Laredo to the high-performance Trackhawk. However, as the price increased, the interior's hard plastics became more noticeable, detracting from the overall premium feel. The Limited X trim, with its Slate Blue Pearl paint and sport-themed design, added a touch of customization, but the interior materials left room for improvement.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a range of engines, with the ST trim featuring a 3.0-litre EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, delivered smooth and addictive performance. The rear-wheel-drive chassis provided balanced handling, and the ST's suspension and steering upgrades made it nimble and precise. The Explorer also offered a 2.3-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine with 300 hp and a hybrid option with a net 318 hp. Towing capacities varied, with the V6 capable of towing up to 2,540 kilograms. The Explorer's seven drive modes enhanced its versatility for different driving conditions.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 295-horsepower, 3.6-litre V6 engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. For those seeking more power, three V8 engines were available, including the 707-horsepower supercharged V8 in the Trackhawk. The Grand Cherokee's off-road capabilities were highlighted by the Trailhawk trim, equipped with all-terrain tires and skid plates. In Canada, 4WD was standard, with four different systems available. The Limited X trim featured the Quadra-Trac II 4WD system, providing off-road prowess. However, the Grand Cherokee's on-road dynamics were mixed, with impressive grip but excessive suspension movements.

The 2020 Ford Explorer excelled in interior space, offering ample headroom and legroom for passengers. The second row felt luxurious with air vents, USB ports, and a panoramic moonroof. The third row accommodated six-foot-tall adults for short trips, though the bench was flat for long journeys. Cargo space was generous, with 509 litres behind the third row, 1,359 litres behind the second row, and 2,491 litres with all seats folded. The Explorer's intuitive controls and physical knobs made driving stress-free, though thick D-pillars and fuzzy cameras hindered rear visibility.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee provided seating for five and cargo space of 1,028 litres behind the backseat, expanding to 1,934 litres with the seats folded. The Limited X trim offered heated, power-adjustable front seats, though ventilation was absent. Rear passengers enjoyed air conditioning vents and USB ports, with adequate legroom and thigh support. Interior storage was decent, with a handy centre console tray and door-panel bins. However, the glovebox and centre armrest bin were small. Thoughtful touches like grocery bag hooks added convenience.

The 2020 Ford Explorer featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot. Keyless entry, remote start, and SiriusXM satellite radio were standard. The Premium Technology Package added a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. While the interface was high-resolution and well-organized, it lacked customization options. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ system offered semi-automated driving but needed refinement. Overall, the Explorer's tech was promising but required software updates for improvement.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee's Uconnect infotainment system was known for its speed and ease of use. The Limited X trim included an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. A 4G LTE WiFi data plan supported multiple devices. The optional 9-speaker Alpine audio system provided good sound quality. Unique to Jeep, the Off-Road Pages app displayed off-roading information, while Performance Pages tracked performance metrics in SRT and Trackhawk models. However, the ride's bounciness sometimes made touchscreen use challenging.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with Ford Co-Pilot 360, which included forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. Adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking were also standard. The Explorer received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three collections of advanced driving assistance systems. ProTech I included a reversing camera, parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. ProTech II added forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. Advanced ProTech II featured full-speed forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and semi-autonomous parking assist. Despite these features, the Grand Cherokee received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and had mixed IIHS ratings.