2020 Lexus RX vs 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2020 Lexus RX received a significant refresh, enhancing its appeal both inside and out. The updates were more than just minor tweaks, as the styling changes allowed the RX to stand out in a competitive market. Despite its age, the RX maintained a stylish edge over its Toyota counterparts. The exterior featured standard 18-inch wheels, slimmer headlights, and L-shaped taillights, with optional triple-beam LED headlamps. The grille was redesigned to align with Lexus cars, and a new paint option, Moonbeam Beige Metallic, was introduced. The rear was refreshed with dual exhausts, a rear diffuser, and updated reflectors, complemented by an available hands-free tailgate. Inside, the RX boasted a well-appointed cabin with standard heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel. Various interior colour and material combinations were available, with leather seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel as standard. The F Sport packages added unique features like a distinctive steering wheel, shift knob, and 20-inch wheels. The interior, while not overly ornate, was durable enough for family use, though the centre stack's design was beginning to show its age.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite its decade-old design, continued to impress with its classic Jeep styling, including a 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 offered a wide range of models, from the Laredo starting at $46,245 to the luxurious Summit at $71,045, with high-performance SRT and Trackhawk versions available. The Limited X model, priced at $62,140, featured a Slate Blue Pearl paint, a sport-themed front bumper, and 20-inch aluminum wheels, giving it a custom look. However, the interior materials, especially in models over $60,000, were a letdown, with hard plastics detracting from the overall quality. While some versions offered premium materials, the foundation lacked substance, making the higher-priced models less appealing.

The 2020 Lexus RX 350 was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. In Canada, all-wheel drive was standard. The RX 350 L variant had slightly reduced power at 290 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with an electric motor, achieving 308 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque, with a similar setup in the RX 450h L. The hybrid models featured an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) and multiple electric motors for enhanced performance. The RX was not particularly athletic, taking 7.9 seconds to reach 60 mph, but it offered a smooth driving experience with various drive modes, including Eco, Sport, and EV mode for hybrids. The RX 350 achieved a fuel efficiency of 10.8 L/100 km combined, while the RX 450h excelled with 7.9 L/100 km combined. The F Sport models included adaptive variable suspension and 20-inch wheels for improved agility. The RX provided a connected drive experience with smooth throttle response and shifting, maintaining a quiet cabin and strong braking.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 295-horsepower, 3.6-litre V6 engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering satisfying acceleration and a combined fuel consumption of 11.3 L/100 km. For those seeking more power, three V8 engines were available, including a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 in the SRT with 475 horsepower, and the Trackhawk's supercharged 6.2-litre V8 producing 707 horsepower. The Trackhawk was capable of 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, with a fortified setup for track performance. The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk was equipped for off-road adventures with all-terrain tires and skid plates. In Canada, 4WD was standard, with four different systems available. The Limited X featured Quadra-Trac II 4WD with a 2-speed transfer case and Selec-Terrain traction control. On pavement, the Grand Cherokee offered mixed driving dynamics, with impressive grip but excessive suspension movements. The steering and brakes were average, but the SUV maintained a traditional feel, appealing to those who preferred a classic SUV experience.

The 2020 Lexus RX interior, while not as minimalist or stylish as some German luxury SUVs, was functional and comfortable. The two-row RX model accommodated four adults comfortably, but the three-row RX-L's third row was best suited for small children or pets. The cabin was spacious in the two-row configuration, with comfortable front seats and good visibility, though the A-pillar could obstruct views of curbs and corners. The RX's cargo area was smaller than its competitors, with a high load floor limiting space. The RX 350 L and 450h L also offered less cargo space compared to rivals like the Lincoln Aviator. A hands-free liftgate was available on certain models, enhancing convenience.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered seating for five and a cargo space of 1,028 litres behind the backseat, expanding to 1,934 litres with the seats folded. The Limited X trim featured heated and 8-way power-adjustable front seats, though ventilated seats were not available. The seat heater controls were integrated into the infotainment system, which could be inconvenient. The leather-wrapped steering wheel was comfortable, and the armrests were padded. Rear passengers, including children, found the seats comfortable, with adequate legroom and rear air conditioning vents. Interior storage was decent, with a centre console tray and door-panel bins, though the centre armrest bin and glovebox were small. Grocery bag hooks on the front seatbacks were a thoughtful addition.

The 2020 Lexus RX's infotainment system was often criticized, but improvements were made for the 2020 model. The display was moved closer to the driver, and the system included an 8.0-inch display or an optional 12.3-inch touchscreen. Despite these changes, the system remained difficult to navigate, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity provided a workaround. The RX also offered Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and various music and navigation apps. The touchpad system was improved, and the RX included six USB ports. The standard 12-speaker audio system was adequate, with a 15-speaker Mark Levinson system available.

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, navigation, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A 4G LTE WiFi data plan was available, and the test vehicle had a 9-speaker Alpine audio system. The Uconnect system included Off-Road Pages for off-roading information and Performance Pages for performance metrics in the SRT and Trackhawk models.

The 2020 Lexus RX came with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, including adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The 2020 enhancements added features like daytime bicyclist detection and lane-tracing assist. The RX received good safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though not as high as newer models. Lexus Enform Safety Connect and Service Connect were included, though connectivity issues were noted during testing.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three ADAS packages. ProTech I included a reversing camera and blind-spot monitoring, while ProTech II added forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assist. Advanced ProTech II featured adaptive cruise control and semi-autonomous parking assist. Despite these features, the Grand Cherokee received a 4-star rating from the NHTSA and poor ratings from the IIHS for certain crash tests.