2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2020 Honda Passport

The 2020 Honda Passport was a quintessential representation of Honda's design philosophy, offering a familiar yet appealing aesthetic that resonated with loyal Honda customers. Its exterior design was a blend of the Honda Pilot and CR-V, presenting a rugged and athletic appearance that set it apart from its siblings. The Passport's elevated ground clearance further enhanced its off-road capabilities, making it a versatile choice for those seeking adventure. Inside, the Passport's cabin was a testament to Honda's focus on utility and comfort, featuring a mix of durable and soft-touch materials. The spacious interior, with its heated and ventilated front seats and a leather-trimmed steering wheel, provided a comfortable and sophisticated environment for passengers.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was a fresh take on the Grand Cherokee lineup, offering a new seven-passenger model with an extended length and third-row seating. Its design was heavily influenced by the upcoming Wagoneer models, giving it a premium and stylish look. The Grand Cherokee L's exterior was unmistakably Jeep, with its signature seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches. Inside, the Summit trim level offered a luxurious experience with quilted leather seats, real wood trim, and advanced technology features. Despite some interior materials not meeting the high price expectations, the overall design and technology enhancements represented a significant improvement over previous models.

The 2020 Honda Passport was equipped with a reliable 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, provided smooth performance across various driving conditions. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with FWD models achieving 20 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, while AWD models slightly underperformed. The Passport's torque-vectoring AWD system offered excellent stability and control, especially in challenging terrains, and its towing capacity of 5,000 pounds outperformed many competitors.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a choice between RWD and three 4WD systems, with a maximum towing capacity of 6,200 pounds. An optional 5.7-liter V8 engine was available, increasing power to 357 horsepower and towing capacity to 7,200 pounds, though at the cost of fuel efficiency. The Grand Cherokee L's Quadra-Lift air suspension and Selec-Terrain off-road modes provided impressive off-road capabilities, while its on-road performance was smooth and comfortable, albeit with some quirks in the driving experience.

The 2020 Honda Passport was praised for its practicality, offering ample space for passengers and cargo. Its two-row seating configuration provided comfortable accommodations for four adults, with generous legroom and adjustable seatbelts. The Passport excelled in cargo space, boasting 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and the most under-floor storage in its class. The interior featured thoughtful storage solutions, such as a large center console and secondary shelf space, making it ideal for road trips and daily use.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, with its three-row seating, offered a more family-oriented approach. The Summit trim featured luxurious amenities like heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, and a four-zone climate control system. While the second-row captain's chairs provided comfort and legroom, the third row was surprisingly accommodating for adults. Cargo space was competitive, with 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 84.6 cubic feet with seats folded. However, the front-seat storage was less practical compared to the Passport.

The 2020 Honda Passport featured a straightforward infotainment system, with higher trims offering an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The system was user-friendly, with responsive pinch, swipe, and tap functionality. Standard features included Bluetooth, a USB port, and a seven-speaker audio system, while higher trims added a 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering faster response times and an improved user experience. Available with an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen, the system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The optional 19-speaker McIntosh audio system provided excellent sound quality, though its design was somewhat polarizing. Additional features included a digital instrumentation panel, a night vision system, and a Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring system.

The 2020 Honda Passport prioritized safety, earning high scores from the IIHS and NHTSA, and was named an IIHS Top Safety Pick. It came standard with the Honda Sensing suite, which included collision mitigation braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offered additional features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic detection.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. While effective, the system's steering assist felt artificial. The Grand Cherokee L also featured Intersection Collision Assist and a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance technologies. As of the review, crash-test ratings were unavailable, but improvements over the previous model were expected.