2020 Lexus RX vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2020 Lexus RX received a significant refresh, enhancing both its interior and exterior. The updates were not minor, 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 resemble other Lexus models, and a new paint option, Moonbeam Beige Metallic, was introduced. The rear design was refreshed with dual exhausts, a rear diffuser, and updated reflectors, along with an available hands-free tailgate. Inside, the RX offered a well-appointed cabin with standard heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated exterior mirrors. Various interior colour and material combinations were available, with leather seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel as standard. The F Sport appearance packages added unique features like a distinctive steering wheel, shift knob, aluminum pedals, and 20-inch wheels. The interior was luxurious yet practical, with leather-wrapped surfaces and a hardy design suitable for family use. However, the centre stack's dated look was a drawback as the industry moved towards more modern designs.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite being over a decade old, retained its timeless appeal with a design that balanced rugged utility and upscale sophistication. The Grand Cherokee's design contributed to its ongoing success, defying easy categorization as it embodied elements of mainstream, luxury, and performance SUVs. The model lineup ranged from the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the upscale Overland and Summit, with high-performance SRT and Trackhawk models and the off-road-capable Trailhawk. For 2021, the Laredo and Limited received minor updates, and new Altitude and 80th Anniversary Edition versions were introduced. Pricing varied from approximately $45,000 to over $105,000 Canadian. The Summit trim, tested with a 5.7-litre V8 engine and 4WD, featured a Premium Plus Appearance Group and Signature Leather-Wrapped Interior Package, totaling $89,145 Canadian. The Premium Plus Appearance Group enhanced the Summit's appearance with body-colour mirror caps, door handles, side sills, and lower bumpers, while a platinum chrome finish replaced the standard sparkly elements. Inside, the Summit's cabin featured premium leather, genuine wood, real aluminum, and simulated suede, with a striking Indigo and Ski Gray colour scheme. Quilted seat bolsters, a wood-and-leather steering wheel, and partially digital instrumentation added to the luxury feel. However, the interior showed signs of aging, with outdated switchgear and non-flush panel fits indicating a need for redesign.

The 2020 Lexus RX 350 was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. It delivered 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque on premium 91 octane fuel. The three-row RX 350 L models 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 recommendation for premium fuel. The RX 450h L used the same setup, with a 165-horsepower electric motor and a 37-kilowatt-hour battery pack, completed by an electronically controlled CVT. The RX hybrid models in Canada featured motors for both front and rear wheels, adding 67 horsepower. The RX was not particularly athletic, taking 7.9 seconds to reach 60 mph, but drivers rarely felt the need for more power. The RX 350 achieved a fuel efficiency of 10.8 L/100 km combined, while the RX 450h excelled at 7.9 L/100 km combined. F Sport models included adaptive variable suspension and 20-inch wheels for improved agility. The RX offered various drive modes, including Normal, Eco, Sport, and EV mode for hybrids, with F Sport packages adding Sport S+ mode and Customize options. The RX 350 provided a smooth driving experience with responsive throttle and shifting, maintaining traction with standard AWD. It was maneuverable on highways and rural roads, with a quiet cabin and smooth braking.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It could tow up to 2,818 kilograms. An optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with Quadra-Trac II 4WD offered 360 horsepower, 390 pound-feet of torque, and a towing capacity of 3,300 kg. The V8 featured cylinder deactivation for improved efficiency, though it achieved 14.1 L/100 km combined. The Quadra-Trac II system included a two-speed transfer case, hill-descent control, and Selec-Terrain traction management with various settings. The Summit trim featured Quadra-Lift air suspension with 10.4 cm variability, enhancing off-road capability. The Grand Cherokee excelled on trails, with features like hill descent control aiding in challenging conditions. During daily driving, the Summit was speedy and responsive, though the V8 consumed more fuel in the city. The air suspension could feel bouncy on uneven surfaces, but the Grand Cherokee's tight turning radius was advantageous. The brakes performed well, and visibility was generally good, though additional camera systems would have been beneficial.

The 2020 Lexus RX interior was not as minimalist or stylish as its German competitors, but it was functional. The two-row RX comfortably accommodated four adults, while the three-row RX-L's third row was best 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. The RX's cargo area was smaller than rivals, with a high load floor limiting space. The RX 350 L and 450h L also had less cargo space compared to competitors, with about 560 litres less than the Lincoln Aviator. A hands-free liftgate was available on RX 350, 450h, and 350 L models, and standard on the 450h L.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured a supportive seat and a heated steering wheel. The Signature Leather-Wrapped Interior Package added luxury with quilted leather and leather-wrapped panels. Both front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, though controls were embedded in the infotainment system. The rear seat was comfortable but had limited legroom for taller adults. The optional rear-seat entertainment system added to a sense of claustrophobia, but large windows and a panoramic sunroof helped. Interior storage was adequate, though the entertainment system's DVD/Blu-Ray player occupied much of the centre console bin. The Grand Cherokee offered 1,028 litres of cargo space, with a recessed bin and storage around the spare tire. Folding the second-row seats was easy, providing a maximum cargo space of 1,934 litres.

The 2020 Lexus RX's infotainment system was often criticized, but improvements were made for 2020. The display was moved closer to the driver, and the 12.3-inch touchscreen was available. The system was still challenging to navigate, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity helped alleviate issues. The RX also offered Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and other integrations. The centre console touchpad system improved in responsiveness. The RX had six USB ports and a standard 12-speaker audio system, with a 15-speaker Mark Levinson system available.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav system, offering a user-friendly experience with fast response and pleasing graphics. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. SiriusXM provided satellite radio and subscription-based services. The voice recognition technology worked well, and the Summit trim included a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The Grand Cherokee was "tech lite," focusing on essentials and advanced driving assistance systems.

The 2020 Lexus RX came with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, including adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and a backup camera. The 2020 enhancements added features like daytime bicyclist detection and lane-tracing assist. The RX had a three-year subscription to Lexus Enform Safety Connect and a 10-year subscription to Enform Service Connect. The RX received good safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though not as high as newer models.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee had mixed safety ratings. It received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA with 4WD, but a four-star rating with 2WD due to rollover resistance. The IIHS rated it "Marginal" for driver safety and "Poor" for front passenger safety in small-overlap collisions. The Summit trim included the ProTech II Package with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Grand Cherokee also had a backup camera, parking sensors, and ParkSense parking assistance.