2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite its decade-old design, maintained a timeless appeal. It showcased traditional Jeep styling cues like a 7-slot grille and trapezoidal fenders, giving it a balanced appearance suitable for both rugged trails and upscale settings. This versatility made it attractive to a diverse range of buyers. Prices for the Grand Cherokee started at $32,150 for the Laredo and went up to $52,495 for the Summit, with high-performance SRT and Trackhawk versions priced at $68,895 and $87,400, respectively. The tested Grand Cherokee Limited X, priced at $53,275, featured a ventilated hood design, sport-themed front bumper, and 20-inch aluminum wheels, giving it a mild-custom appearance.

However, the interior of the Grand Cherokee, especially in models priced over $50,000, was a letdown. While premium materials were used, they were applied over a foundation that lacked substance, making the abundance of hard plastic more noticeable and irritating. This was a significant drawback for an SUV in this price range.

The 2021 Acura RDX, especially with the optional A-Spec Package, was a stylish SUV. The A-Spec’s subtle yet effective styling changes conveyed sportiness without overpromising on performance. Acura didn’t try to make the RDX look like an off-roader, focusing instead on its daily driving and road-tripping capabilities. The RDX A-Spec, priced at $47,625 with SH-AWD and extra-cost Platinum White paint, sat in the middle of the trim-level hierarchy. The A-Spec Package added sport seats with simulated suede inserts, a sport steering wheel, dark brushed aluminum trim, and red ambient lighting, giving the interior a sporty look and feel.

However, the gauge cluster in the A-Spec, with red markings on a brushed silver background, was hard to read except at night. Despite this, the RDX’s interior delivered a sporty and high-quality experience, with materials and design that stood out in the compact crossover SUV segment.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 295-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6 engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission, offering satisfying acceleration and an EPA-rated 21 mpg in combined driving. However, the test vehicle returned 19.4 mpg. For those seeking more power, three V8 engines were available: 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, which could accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The Trackhawk was fortified for track performance, while the Trailhawk was equipped for off-roading with all-terrain tires and skid plates.

The Grand Cherokee offered both rear-wheel drive and four different 4WD systems. The tested Limited X came with Quadra-Trac II 4WD, which included a 2-speed transfer case and Selec-Terrain traction control. On pavement, the Grand Cherokee’s driving dynamics were mixed, with impressive grip but excessive suspension movements. The steering and brakes were average, trying to balance daily driving and off-roading capabilities.

The 2021 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The SH-AWD system, which could deliver up to 70% of engine output to the rear wheels, significantly improved handling. The Integrated Dynamics System allowed drivers to choose between Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ modes, adjusting powertrain response, steering effort, and suspension firmness.

The A-Spec model, with 20-inch alloy wheels and performance all-season tires, offered a sporty driving experience. However, it lacked the adaptive dampers available in the Advance Package, resulting in some body motion on uneven roads. The 10-speed automatic transmission didn’t match revs when using paddle shifters, and a summer performance tire option would have been beneficial. Despite these drawbacks, the RDX A-Spec was rewarding to drive, with precise steering, fade-resistant brakes, and a broad torque curve from the turbo engine.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered seating for five and cargo space of 36.3 cubic feet behind the backseat, expanding to 68.3 cubic feet with the backseat folded. The front seats were heated and 8-way power-adjustable, but the Limited X didn’t offer ventilated seats. The thick, leather-wrapped steering wheel was comfortable, and rear passengers had adequate legroom and air conditioning vents. Interior storage was decent, with a handy tray in the center console and sizable door-panel bins.

The 2021 Acura RDX, though a compact SUV, offered remarkable passenger and cargo space. The front seats, with A-Spec trim, were 12-way power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated, providing excellent comfort and support. However, the rear seat’s low and flat cushion compromised leg support, and the seatback recline angle led to an uncomfortable slouching position. Storage space was limited, with a large but not easily accessible tray under the center console panel.

Cargo volume measured 29.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat, with a deep storage well and three separate compartments under the cargo floor. Folding the rear seats expanded the cargo space to 58.9 cubic feet, competitive but not class-leading. Acura also quoted a maximum cargo volume of 79.8 cubic feet, based on moving the front seats forward and packing cargo behind them, a methodology not typically used by other manufacturers.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system, known for its speed, graphics, and ease of use. The Limited X trim included an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, and SiriusXM Guardian connected services. A 4G LTE WiFi data plan was available, and the test vehicle had a 9-speaker Alpine premium sound system. Unique to Jeep’s Uconnect was the Off-Road Pages app, providing information for off-roading excursions.

The 2021 Acura RDX introduced the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, which used a touch-sensing pad on the center console instead of a touchscreen. The TTI mirrored the screen, making it easier to use once drivers retrained their brains. However, it still required drivers to look at the screen to confirm actions, adding distraction. The A-Spec trim included a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, which sounded terrific.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three collections of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). ProTech I, standard on all trims, included a reversing camera, parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. ProTech II added low-speed forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Advanced ProTech II included full-speed forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, semi-autonomous parking assist, and rain-sensing wipers. The Grand Cherokee received a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Marginal rating for driver protection from the IIHS.

The 2021 Acura RDX came with AcuraWatch, a collection of safety features including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were available with the Technology Package. The RDX earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four-star ratings for frontal-impact and rollover resistance.