2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 GMC Yukon

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 equally suitable for rugged trails and upscale venues, appealing to a diverse range of buyers across different social classes. The Grand Cherokee's exterior, especially in the Limited X trim with its Slate Blue Pearl paint and 20-inch aluminum wheels, offered a mild-custom look that was both sporty and elegant. However, the interior, particularly in models priced over $60,000, was criticized for its overuse of hard plastics, which detracted from the overall premium feel.

In contrast, the 2021 GMC Yukon presented a more modern and upscale design, especially in the Denali trim. The Yukon Denali, with its intricate grillework, chrome accents, and Midnight Blue paint, exuded a sense of luxury that set it apart from its Chevrolet counterparts. The interior of the Denali was notably refined, featuring exclusive dashboard designs, real wood trim, and leather-wrapped panels. The new independent rear suspension significantly improved passenger and cargo space, addressing previous criticisms of the Yukon. However, some interior materials, like the hard edges on the door panels, were less than ideal for comfort during long drives.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a range of powertrains, starting with a standard 295-horsepower 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided satisfactory acceleration and a combined fuel consumption of 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres, although real-world testing showed a slightly higher figure of 12.1 L/100 km. For those seeking more power, the Grand Cherokee offered three V8 options, including a 360-horsepower 5.7-litre "Hemi" V8, a 475-horsepower 6.4-litre V8 in the SRT, and a 707-horsepower supercharged 6.2-litre V8 in the Trackhawk. The Grand Cherokee's off-road capabilities were highlighted by the Trailhawk model, equipped with all-terrain tires and advanced 4WD systems. However, its on-road dynamics were mixed, with impressive grip but excessive suspension movements.

The 2021 GMC Yukon provided three engine options, with the Denali featuring a 420-horsepower 6.2-litre V8 engine. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, delivered robust acceleration but was not particularly fuel-efficient, averaging 16.3 litres per 100 kilometres during testing. The Yukon's new independent rear suspension and available Four-Corner Air Ride suspension improved ride quality and handling, although the 22-inch wheels could make pavement irregularities more noticeable. The Yukon's Active Response 4WD system, with its electronic limited-slip differential and Traction Select driving modes, enhanced its capability on various terrains. While not particularly fun to drive, the Yukon Denali was capable and confident in its performance.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, with seating for five, offered 1,028 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and 1,934 litres with them folded. The front seats were heated and power-adjustable, but the lack of ventilated seats in the Limited X trim was a drawback. Rear passengers enjoyed adequate comfort with air conditioning vents and USB ports, while interior storage was decent, with thoughtful touches like grocery bag hooks on the seatbacks.

The 2021 GMC Yukon, thanks to its new independent rear suspension, provided significant improvements in passenger and cargo space. The Denali trim featured leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power sliding console for added convenience. The second-row seats now slid and folded flat, enhancing comfort and cargo capacity. The third-row seat offered improved thigh support, making it more comfortable for adults. Cargo volume was impressive, with 722 litres behind the third row and up to 3,480 litres with all seats folded, rivaling minivan capacities.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, offering navigation, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. While the system was user-friendly, the Grand Cherokee's ride could make it challenging to select virtual buttons accurately. The Limited X trim included a 9-speaker Alpine audio system, but higher trims offered a superior 19-speaker Harman Kardon system. Unique to Jeep, the Off-Road Pages app provided valuable off-roading information.

The 2021 GMC Yukon Denali, equipped with the Ultimate Package, boasted a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system supported over-the-air updates and included features like wireless charging, a navigation system, and a 14-speaker Bose audio system. The Rear Seat Media system, with dual 12.6-inch displays, offered entertainment for rear passengers, though it required some setup for streaming content. The Yukon also featured a 15-inch head-up display and multiple camera views for enhanced maneuverability.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three ADAS packages, with ProTech I providing basic features like a reversing camera and blind-spot monitoring. ProTech II added forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assist, while Advanced ProTech II included adaptive cruise control and semi-autonomous parking assist. Despite these features, the Grand Cherokee's crash-test ratings were less than stellar, with a 4-star overall rating from NHTSA and poor ratings from IIHS in certain tests.

The 2021 GMC Yukon came equipped with a comprehensive suite of ADAS, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The Denali trim offered additional features like adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The Yukon's ADAS operated smoothly, providing a seamless driving experience. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of review, but the Yukon's substantial curb weight offered a sense of security.