2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of Honda's fifth-generation compact crossover lineup, had a design that was both familiar and enjoyable. Its exterior styling, reminiscent of Honda's sedan lineup, leaned more towards a station wagon than an SUV, setting a standard for modern family transportation. However, the interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery clashing with lower-quality plastics, reminding drivers that even the pricier CR-V models were upgrades of a commodity car rather than premium products.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee maintained a timeless design, combining rugged utility with upscale sophistication. Its exterior, with big wheels and flared fenders, was a balanced work of automotive art, defining what an SUV should look like. The Grand Cherokee's design contributed to its success, offering a blend of mainstream, luxury, and performance SUV characteristics. The Summit trim, with its premium leather, genuine wood, and real aluminum interior, provided a luxurious feel, although the aging interior design signaled a need for a redesign.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine standard across all trims, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), the CR-V offered a well-matched powertrain. Despite the CVT's reputation for sluggishness, Honda's implementation provided a responsive and quick driving experience, especially in Sport mode. The CR-V's car-like road manners, nimble handling, and low curb weight contributed to its excellent fuel efficiency, with FWD models rated at 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres combined and AWD models at 8.1.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. For those seeking more power, an optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 was available, producing 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,300 kg. The V8's cylinder deactivation technology improved fuel efficiency, though it still consumed 14.1 litres per 100 kilometres combined. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system and Quadra-Lift air suspension enhanced its off-road capabilities, while its tight turning radius and responsive brakes made it practical for daily driving.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and storage solutions. Its cabin was roomy, with excellent head- and legroom, and a seating position that offered great visibility. The cargo compartment matched the Volkswagen Tiguan in volume, with a two-position load floor providing flexibility. Clever storage solutions, like the deep centre console and large door pockets, made the CR-V easy to live with, accommodating various items with ease.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit offered a luxurious interior with quilted leather seats and leather-wrapped panels. Both front seats featured eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, though the controls embedded in the infotainment system could be distracting. The rear seat, while comfortable, had limited legroom for taller adults. The cargo space behind the rear seat measured 1,028 litres, with a maximum capacity of 1,934 litres when the second-row seats were folded. However, the Grand Cherokee's interior storage was limited, especially with the optional rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen that felt small compared to competitors. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, though Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The CR-V offered plenty of USB ports and a wireless phone charger on higher trims, but its navigation system was only available on the Touring and Black Editions.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav system, offering a nearly flawless user experience with fast response and pleasing graphics. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The voice recognition technology worked well, and the Summit trim came with a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. While the Grand Cherokee was "tech lite," it offered essential features and advanced driving assistance systems.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came standard with the "Honda Sensing" suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, though lower trims had marginal headlights. A recall for a possible rear subframe failure affected only a small number of vehicles.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee had mixed safety ratings. While it received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models, its performance in IIHS testing was less impressive, with marginal and poor ratings in small-overlap frontal-impact collisions. The Summit trim included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance, enhancing its safety profile.