2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Hyundai Palisade

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 versatile enough to fit in both rugged outdoor settings and upscale environments, appealing to a diverse range of buyers across various demographics. However, as the price of the Grand Cherokee increased, the interior materials did not match the premium expectations, with hard plastics becoming more noticeable and disappointing in higher-priced models.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Palisade, particularly in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim, stood out with its distinctive grille pattern, revised lighting, and unique 20-inch alloy wheels. The interior was equally impressive, featuring quilted Nappa leather and a suede headliner, making it feel more luxurious than its price suggested. The Palisade's unconventional styling drew mixed reactions, but its upscale appearance and high-quality materials made it a standout in the midsize three-row SUV class.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee came equipped with a standard 295-horsepower, 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering satisfying acceleration and a fuel efficiency of 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. For those seeking more power, three V8 engine options were available, including the supercharged 6.2-litre V8 in the Trackhawk model, delivering an astounding 707 horsepower. The Grand Cherokee excelled in off-road capabilities, with various 4WD systems and features like the Selec-Terrain traction control system and hill descent control. However, its on-road driving dynamics were mixed, with impressive grip but excessive suspension movements and average steering and braking performance.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade featured a 3.8-litre V6 engine producing 291 horsepower, coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel-drive in Canada. It offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Smart, and Sport, as well as a Snow mode and a Lock function for improved traction. The Palisade's firmer suspension provided excellent body-motion control, making it enjoyable to drive without sacrificing comfort. While not designed for spirited driving, it remained predictable and sure-footed, with plenty of power and easy maneuverability in urban and suburban environments. The Palisade also boasted a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms, with a new seven-pin trailer pre-wiring connector for 2021.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered seating for five and a cargo capacity of 1,028 litres behind the backseat, expanding to 1,934 litres with the backseat folded. The front seats were heated and power-adjustable, but lacked ventilation, and the seat heater controls were integrated into the infotainment system, which could be frustrating. Rear passengers enjoyed adequate comfort and amenities, while interior storage was decent, with thoughtful touches like grocery bag hooks on the front seatbacks.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade excelled in interior space and comfort, with eight-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel. The second-row captain’s chairs provided ample legroom and support, and the third-row seat was more accommodating than most in its class. The Palisade offered generous cargo space, with 509 litres behind the third-row seats, expanding to 2,447 litres with the second-row seats folded. Hyundai's hands-free Smart Liftgate added convenience, and in-cabin storage was plentiful, with a storage tray under the centre console.

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. While the system was user-friendly, the ride quality could make it difficult to select virtual buttons accurately. The test vehicle included a 9-speaker Alpine audio system, with a more premium 19-speaker Harman Kardon system available in higher trims. Unique to Jeep, the Off-Road Pages app provided valuable off-roading information.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade offered two infotainment systems, with the Ultimate Calligraphy trim featuring a 10.25-inch touchscreen, navigation, SiriusXM, HD Radio, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The Palisade supported dual Bluetooth connections, wireless smartphone charging, and a Driver Talk intercom system. A head-up display and surround-view camera system enhanced safety and convenience, while the voice-recognition technology worked well.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three collections of advanced driving assistance systems, with ProTech I providing essential 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 received a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and poor ratings from the IIHS in certain crash tests.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade excelled in safety, with standard features like adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping systems. The Palisade also included a rear occupant alert system and active blind-spot monitoring. The Highway Driving Assist system provided smooth and sophisticated adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assistance. The Palisade earned top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, ensuring peace of mind for families.