2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Nissan Armada

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite its age, maintained a timeless design that appealed to a diverse range of buyers. Its classic Jeep styling, including the iconic 7-slot grille and trapezoidal fenders, gave it a versatile appearance suitable for both rugged trails and upscale settings. The model offered a wide range of variants, from the base Laredo to the luxurious Summit, with prices reflecting the level of performance and features. However, as the price increased, the interior materials did not always meet expectations, with hard plastics detracting from the overall premium feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Armada received a significant facelift, aligning it with Nissan's modern design language. The updated exterior featured a new grille, bumpers, and LED lighting, enhancing its robust and athletic look. The Armada's design changes brought it closer to other models in the Nissan lineup, while still retaining its traditional SUV bulk. Despite these updates, the interior felt dated, with some design choices not matching the modernized exterior. The Armada offered a range of exterior colours and trim levels, with the Platinum trim providing additional luxury features.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 295-horsepower, 3.6-litre V6 engine, delivering satisfactory acceleration and a combined fuel consumption of 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres. For those seeking more power, three V8 options were available, including the formidable 707-horsepower supercharged V8 in the Trackhawk model. The Grand Cherokee excelled in off-road capabilities, with multiple 4WD systems and features like the Selec-Terrain traction control system. However, its on-road dynamics were mixed, with some suspension and steering limitations.

The 2021 Nissan Armada was equipped with a 5.6-litre V8 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. Despite its size and weight, the Armada was a capable off-roader, featuring a robust suspension system and significant ground clearance. However, its fuel efficiency was less impressive, with a combined rating of 15.4 litres per 100 kilometres. The Armada offered a smooth highway driving experience, though its large turning radius and parking challenges were notable. It excelled in towing capacity, with a best-in-class rating of 3,856 kilograms.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee provided seating for five and offered 1,028 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,934 litres with the seats folded. The interior featured comfortable front seats and adequate rear passenger space, though some controls were inconveniently integrated into the infotainment system. Storage options were decent, with thoughtful touches like grocery bag hooks.

The 2021 Nissan Armada, as a full-size SUV, offered ample space, with a seating capacity of up to eight in lower trims. The Platinum trim allowed for second-row captain’s chairs, reducing capacity to seven but enhancing comfort. Cargo space was 1,413 litres behind the second row, expanding to 2,692 litres with seats folded. However, the high load floor made loading challenging. Interior storage was limited, though the centre console provided a deep storage bin.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, offering navigation, smartphone integration, and optional premium audio. While the system was user-friendly, the ride quality sometimes affected touchscreen usability. Unique features like Off-Road Pages provided valuable off-roading data.

The 2021 Nissan Armada boasted a class-leading 12.3-inch touchscreen with responsive controls and a comprehensive suite of standard features, including navigation, a Bose stereo, and wireless Apple CarPlay. The Platinum trim offered additional tech like a rearview camera mirror and rear-seat entertainment. The Armada's steering wheel controls were functional but lacked sophistication.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three ADAS packages, with features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. However, its crash-test ratings were less impressive, with a 4-star NHTSA rating and poor IIHS scores in some areas.

The 2021 Nissan Armada included the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, offering features like automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning. While some systems were overly sensitive, the Armada lacked advanced driving assist technologies found in competitors. Its NHTSA rollover rating was three stars.