2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

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. 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 even higher price points. The Limited X variant, painted in Slate Blue Pearl, featured a sport-themed design with a ventilated hood and 20-inch aluminum wheels, giving it a mild-custom appearance. However, the interior materials, especially in models priced over $60,000, were criticized for their excessive use of hard plastic, detracting from the overall premium feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Highlander stood out with its distinctive design, avoiding the blandness often associated with midsize SUVs. Its wide headlights, long hood, and assertive grille gave it a commanding presence. The Highlander introduced the XSE trim, which added a sportier appearance with a restyled front end and 20-inch alloy wheels. The Limited trim, just below the Platinum level, offered an upscale look with chrome accents and a luxurious interior. The Highlander's interior was praised for its near-flawless fit and finish, with comfortable tan leather seats and elegant wood details. While the Highlander XSE aimed to balance sportiness and practicality, it excelled in providing a comfortable and luxurious driving experience, making it a strong contender for families prioritizing comfort and convenience.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee came equipped with a standard 295-horsepower, 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain delivered satisfying acceleration and a fuel consumption rating of 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, although the test vehicle recorded 12.1 L/100 km. For those seeking more power, the Grand Cherokee offered three V8 engine options, including the 5.7-litre "Hemi" V8 with 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, the 6.4-litre "Hemi" 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 Trackhawk's performance was impressive, with a 0-100 km/h time of 3.8 seconds. 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 and average steering and braking performance.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. While not designed for high-performance driving, the Highlander's powertrain provided smooth and predictable operation, making it suitable for family use. Compared to competitors, the Highlander's performance was on par, with similar horsepower and torque figures to the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride. The Highlander's suspension was tuned for comfort, resulting in a smooth ride, although the XSE trim offered a slightly sportier feel with retuned suspension components. Overall, the Highlander prioritized comfort and reliability over sporty performance.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered seating for five and a cargo capacity of 1,028 litres behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,934 litres with the seats folded down. The front seats were heated and power-adjustable, but the Limited X trim lacked ventilated seats. The infotainment system integrated seat heater controls, which some found inconvenient. The interior featured a leather-wrapped steering wheel and padded armrests for comfort. Rear passengers enjoyed adequate legroom and amenities like air conditioning vents and USB ports. Interior storage was decent, with a centre console tray and door-panel bins, although the glovebox was limited in space.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in interior space and versatility, with three rows of seating. The front featured large shelves for storage, and a wireless charging pad was standard on higher trims. Second-row passengers enjoyed ample legroom, with available captain's chairs for added comfort. The third row was suitable for adults with the second row moved forward, although space was limited. Cargo capacity was 453 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,150 litres with the third row folded and 2,245 litres with both rear rows down. The Highlander's interior was well-designed, with thoughtful features like ceiling-mounted air vents for rear passengers.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system, known for its speed and ease of use. The Limited X trim included an 8.4-inch touchscreen with navigation, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A 4G LTE WiFi data plan was available, supporting up to eight devices. The test vehicle had a 9-speaker Alpine audio system, while higher trims offered a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system. Unique to Jeep, the Off-Road Pages app provided off-roading information, and the SRT and Trackhawk models had Performance Pages for tracking performance metrics.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander offered an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 12.3-inch screen available on the Platinum trim. Both systems were user-friendly, with standard Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth connectivity. Navigation was available from the Limited grade, although it struggled with points of interest. The 12.3-inch screen was bright and crisp, but some apps were limited in display size. A JBL audio system was standard from the Limited grade, providing good sound quality. The Highlander's infotainment system was well-regarded, although the larger screen's value was debated.

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, semi-autonomous parking assist, and rain-sensing wipers. Despite these features, the Grand Cherokee received a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and poor ratings from the IIHS for certain crash tests.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support. It also offered adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. Blind spot monitoring was standard, and LED headlights were included. The Highlander received a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, highlighting its strong safety credentials.