2021 Volvo XC90 vs 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

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 design with 20-inch aluminum wheels, but its interior, especially in higher-priced models, was criticized for the excessive use of hard plastics.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a successful design evolution for Volvo, maintaining its recognizable boxy profile while adding character with softer lines and distinctive LED headlights. The Inscription test car, with its extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest of the XC90 trims. The XC90 shared its platform with other Volvo models, offering a minimalist interior with high-quality materials like matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery. The Orrefors crystal shifter added a touch of luxury, although it seemed out of place in the otherwise restrained interior.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee came with a standard 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. 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. However, its driving dynamics were mixed, with impressive grip but excessive suspension movements.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured three powertrains based on a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. The T5 was turbocharged, producing 250 hp, while the T6 added a supercharger for 316 hp. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid combined the T6 engine with electric assist, delivering 400 hp. All models came with AWD, but the XC90 struggled with acceleration on electric power alone. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and offered a quiet cabin. However, its towing capacity was lower than some competitors, with a maximum of 2,250 kilograms.

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 backseat folded. The interior featured heated and power-adjustable front seats, but lacked ventilated options. Rear passengers enjoyed adequate comfort and amenities like air conditioning vents and USB ports. Storage was decent, with thoughtful touches like grocery bag hooks on the front seatbacks.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six or seven-seat configurations, with average headroom and legroom across all rows. The third row was tight for adults, and seats lacked support. The interior felt spacious due to a power sunroof and upright roof profile. The Inscription model offered 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with massage, but lacked a power-adjustable steering wheel. Cargo space was limited, with 317 litres with all seats in place, expanding to 1,815 litres with the second and third rows folded.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, and smartphone integration. The system was user-friendly but could be challenging to operate on bumpy rides. The Limited X trim included 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, while SRT and Trackhawk models offered Performance Pages for tracking metrics.

The 2021 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system emphasized simplicity, with a 9-inch touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, and smartphone compatibility. The system was intuitive, with a portrait-oriented touchscreen that functioned like a tablet. However, the text and typeface could be difficult to read while driving. The XC90 offered a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and a head-up display, but the wireless charging pad was too small for most phones.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three collections of advanced driving assistance systems, with ProTech I standard on all trims. ProTech II and Advanced ProTech II added features like forward-collision warning and adaptive cruise control. However, the Grand Cherokee received a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and poor ratings from the IIHS in certain crash tests.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control, living up to Volvo's reputation for safety.