2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

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 settings, 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 several variants in between, including high-performance SRT and Trackhawk versions. The Limited X model, painted in Slate Blue Pearl, featured 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 Toyota RAV4, on the other hand, embraced a rugged SUV-like exterior with boxy fender flares and chiseled taillights, setting it apart from previous generations and other compact crossovers. While the exterior was aggressive, the RAV4 was built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, shared with other Toyota models, which provided a solid foundation but lacked the off-road prowess suggested by its styling. The RAV4 Trail model added unique features like an Ice Edge roof and orange interior accents, while the TRD Off-Road package included matte black wheels and a TRD front skid plate. Inside, the RAV4 featured functional touches like large rubberized knobs, but material quality did not improve significantly with higher trims. The TRD Off-Road model had SofTex upholstery, but real leather was not an option, even on the top Limited trim.

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, a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 in the SRT with 475 hp, and the supercharged 6.2-litre V8 in the Trackhawk, boasting 707 hp. The Grand Cherokee offered four different 4WD systems, with the Trailhawk model being the most off-road capable. The Limited X model featured the Quadra-Trac II 4WD system, which allowed it to tackle terrains that crossover SUVs couldn't. However, the driving dynamics were mixed, with impressive grip but excessive suspension movements and average steering and brakes.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the engine achieved 40% thermal efficiency, the transmission struggled to keep up, and the steering lacked feel. The RAV4 offered a "Sport" driving mode, but it only added weight to the steering. The RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime provided more power and refinement. On the highway, the RAV4 excelled with low cabin noise and a comfortable suspension. Off-road, the RAV4 Trail and TRD Off-Road models featured torque-vectoring AWD and 21.7 cm of ground clearance, but lacked the suspension articulation and angles needed for serious off-roading.

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 seats folded. The front seats were heated and power-adjustable, but lacked ventilation. The interior had decent storage, with a handy tray in the centre console and sizable door-panel bins. Rear passengers enjoyed air conditioning vents and USB ports, with adequate legroom for adults.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 provided competitive headroom and visibility, but legroom was slightly behind competitors. The front seats were comfortable, but the rear seats had flat cushions. Cargo space was 1,059 litres with the rear seats up and 1,977 litres with them folded. The RAV4 featured oversized knobs and steering-wheel controls, but lacked large cupholders and loose change storage.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly but could be difficult to operate on bumpy roads. The test vehicle had a 9-speaker Alpine audio system, with a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system available on higher trims. Unique to Jeep, the Off-Road Pages app provided off-roading information.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 came with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Most trims had a 7-inch touchscreen, with larger screens available on higher trims. The infotainment system was easy to use but not flashy. The RAV4 lacked a head-up display, but offered a simple interface for in-car infotainment.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three collections of ADAS, with ProTech I standard on all trims. ProTech II added features like forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assist, while Advanced ProTech II included adaptive cruise control and semi-autonomous parking assist. The Grand Cherokee received a 4-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Marginal rating from IIHS for driver protection.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. The standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 bundle included features like forward-collision warning and adaptive cruise control. A 360-degree camera system was available in certain packages.