2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite its decade-old design, maintained a timeless appeal with its traditional Jeep styling cues, such as the 7-slot grille and trapezoidal fenders. Its balanced appearance made it suitable for both rugged trails and upscale environments, appealing to a diverse range of buyers. The Grand Cherokee's pricing started at an MSRP of $46,245 for the Laredo model and went up to $71,045 for the Summit, with high-performance versions like the SRT and Trackhawk reaching $78,195 and $116,845, respectively. The Limited X variant, priced at $62,140 Canadian, featured a Slate Blue Pearl paint, a sport-themed front bumper, and 20-inch aluminum wheels, giving it a mild-custom look. However, the interior materials, especially in models priced over $60,000, were a letdown, with an overuse of hard plastics detracting from the overall premium feel.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered six distinct versions, each with unique styling elements. The base LS and LT models had different grille patterns, while the sporty RST featured a blacked-out look with 22-inch wheels. The rugged Z71 combined off-road enhancements with a blacked-out appearance, and the upscale Premier and luxurious High Country trims added chrome accents and polished wheels. The Tahoe's design was characterized by a dominant grille, standard LED headlights, and expressive taillights. Prices ranged from $57,048 for the LS to $81,448 for the High Country. The Z71 model we tested, priced at $59,200, included several option packages, bringing the total to $80,293. The Tahoe's interior featured a larger 10.2-inch infotainment screen and new electronic transmission controls, though the control layout was somewhat compromised. The cabin quality was satisfactory, with soft-touch surfaces and exposed stitching in the upper half, while the lower half was covered in hard plastic.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 295-horsepower, 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering satisfying acceleration and a fuel consumption rating of 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. For those seeking more power, three V8 engines were available, including a 5.7-litre "Hemi" V8 with 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, a 6.4-litre V8 in the SRT with 475 hp, and the supercharged 6.2-litre V8 in the Trackhawk, boasting 707 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque. The Grand Cherokee offered four different 4WD systems, with the Trailhawk model being the most off-road capable. The Limited X variant featured the Quadra-Trac II 4WD system, providing impressive off-road capabilities. On pavement, the Grand Cherokee's driving dynamics were mixed, with impressive grip but excessive suspension movements. The steering and brakes were average, but the SUV's traditional feel was appreciated.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered three engine options: a standard 5.3-litre V8 with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, a 6.2-litre V8 exclusive to the High Country with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 3.0-litre diesel inline-six with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The Tahoe featured a 10-speed automatic transmission, with 4WD standard on most trims. The Z71 model included off-road enhancements like a two-speed transfer case and hill descent control. The Tahoe's towing capacity reached up to 3,810 kilograms, and the adoption of an independent rear suspension improved ride quality and interior comfort. The Z71 impressed with its smooth ride, thanks to adaptive damping and air suspension upgrades. The 5.3-litre V8 and 10-speed transmission provided ample power and refinement, with a fuel consumption rating of 13.5 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered seating for five and cargo space of 1,028 litres behind the backseat, expanding to 1,934 litres with the backseat folded. The front seats were heated and power-adjustable, though ventilated seats were not available in the Limited X trim. The interior featured a leather-wrapped steering wheel and padded armrests, while rear passengers enjoyed air conditioning vents and USB ports. Interior storage was decent, with a centre console tray and door-panel bins, though the glovebox and centre armrest bin were small.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe benefited from an independent rear suspension, improving passenger comfort and cargo space. The test vehicle featured heated power-adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel, with ventilated seats available on higher trims. The power sliding storage console offered versatile storage options. The second row could be configured with a bench seat or captain's chairs, with the latter providing easy access to the third row. The third-row seat offered improved comfort, accommodating adults comfortably. Cargo space measured 722 litres behind the rear seat, expanding to 2,056 litres with the seat folded, and a maximum of 3,480 litres with all seats down.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A 4G LTE WiFi data plan was available, and the test vehicle included a 9-speaker Alpine audio system. Unique to Jeep's Uconnect was the Off-Road Pages app, providing off-roading information. The SRT and Trackhawk models offered Performance Pages for tracking performance metrics.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe's standard 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice recognition, and Chevrolet Connected Services. Navigation and Bose audio systems were available upgrades. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though some controls were hard to access. The voice-recognition system was impressive, and the test vehicle included a wireless charging pad and a mid-grade Bose audio system. The Rear Seat Media system offered versatility, though it was not fully tested. The Tahoe also offered an available 15-inch head-up display.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three collections of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). ProTech I was standard, including 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 lane-keeping assist. Advanced ProTech II included adaptive cruise control and semi-autonomous parking assist. The Grand Cherokee received a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and had poor ratings from the IIHS in certain crash tests.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe included standard safety features like Teen Driver, rear-seat reminder, forward collision alert, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Tahoe Z71's safety features worked as expected, though the pedestrian alert could be distracting. A surround-view camera was recommended for maneuvering the large SUV. As the Tahoe was new, it had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS.