2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2020 Subaru Ascent

The 2020 Subaru Ascent, resembling a larger Subaru Forester, was designed with practicality and utility in mind. It featured gray plastic cladding for 360-degree protection, an oversized grille, and exaggerated fender flares for a robust appearance. The Ascent's roof rails and 20-inch aluminum wheels on three of the four trims added to its functional and stylish look. The base model, starting at $31,995, came with 18-inch wheels and lacked privacy glass. Upgrading to the Premium trim at $34,395 offered better detailing and a superior infotainment system. The Limited trim at $39,345 added leather seats, while the top-tier Touring trim at $45,045 included premium leather, a panoramic sunroof, and luxury enhancements. The test vehicle, priced at $46,285, featured the Touring trim with third-row quick-charge USB ports and was painted Abyss Blue Pearl, which contrasted nicely with the machined-finish wheels and Java Brown leather interior.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, with its timeless design, continued to impress more than a decade after its debut. Combining rugged utility with upscale sophistication, it featured big wheels, flared fenders, and a balanced design that defined the SUV aesthetic. The Grand Cherokee's lineup ranged from the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the upscale Overland and Summit trims, and performance models like the SRT and Trackhawk. For 2021, the Laredo and Limited received minor updates, and new variants like the Laredo X and 80th Anniversary Edition were introduced. Pricing ranged from about $35,000 to nearly $90,000. The test vehicle, a Summit trim with a 5.7-liter V8 engine and 4WD, was priced at $68,185. The Platinum Series Group added a premium look with body-color mirror caps, door handles, and platinum chrome finishes. Inside, the Summit featured premium leather, genuine wood, real aluminum, and simulated suede, with a striking Indigo and Ski Gray color scheme.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive (AWD), it offered good acceleration for its size. However, it was a thirsty powertrain, averaging 18.9 mpg on a test loop, below the EPA estimate of 22 mpg. The Ascent's handling was not particularly sporty, with slow and numb steering and a suspension that struggled with pavement undulations. The brakes also heated up quickly. The CVT, while decent, produced uneven power delivery and unpredictable performance. The shifter felt cheap, and the Ascent rolled significantly when parked on a hill without the parking brake engaged. Despite these issues, the Ascent excelled on freeways and in icy or snowy conditions. Off-road, it performed well with its Active Torque Split AWD system, X-Mode off-road traction system, Hill Descent Control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It could tow up to 6,200 pounds. An optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine, with 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, increased towing capacity to 7,200 pounds and provided a satisfying rumble. The V8 featured cylinder deactivation technology, but the EPA estimated only 17 mpg in combined driving. The test vehicle averaged 18.2 mpg on a mountainous loop. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system, with a two-speed transfer case, hill-descent control, and Selec-Terrain traction management, along with the Quadra-Lift air suspension, made it capable off-road. On the highway, it was speedy and responsive, though the V8 consumed a lot of gas in the city. The Grand Cherokee's tight turning radius was useful in parking lots and off-road, and the brakes performed well. Visibility was good, but surround-view and forward-view camera systems would have been beneficial.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent offered comfort, especially in the Touring trim with soft leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The driver’s seat had a 10-way power adjustment with a manual thigh support extension. The front passenger seat lacked height adjustment but was high enough off the floor. The dashboard featured a useful shelf and ambient lighting, though the controls appeared dated. Storage included a center bin, door panel bins, and a glove compartment. The Ascent could be configured with a second-row bench seat or captain’s chairs, with the latter available in Premium and Limited trims. The Touring trim came with captain’s chairs only. The third-row seat was accessible and comfortable for short trips. Cargo space was 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 47 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86 cubic feet with the second row folded. The Ascent also had underfloor storage and standard roof rails for additional cargo options.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured flat, firm, and supportive seats with quilted and perforated leather from the Signature Leather-Wrapped Interior Package. Both front seats had eight-way power adjustment, and they were heated and ventilated. The controls for these features were embedded in the Uconnect infotainment system, which could be distracting. The rear seat was comfortable but had limited legroom for taller adults. The optional rear-seat entertainment system added to the sense of claustrophobia. Large side windows, a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, and light gray leather upholstery helped to make the back seat feel less confined. Rear air conditioning vents and heated outboard cushions were available. Interior storage was adequate, but the rear-seat entertainment system took up most of the center console bin. The Grand Cherokee offered 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, with additional storage around the spare tire. Folding the second-row seats was easy, providing 68.3 cubic feet of cargo space.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent came with a Starlink infotainment system, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and integrated apps. Premium trim added an 8-inch touchscreen, text-messaging capability, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and Starlink Safety and Security connected services. The Touring trim featured a high-resolution screen and navigation. The infotainment system had stereo knobs and separate climate controls, but the voice-control system was outdated and unresponsive. The navigation system occasionally misplaced the vehicle’s location. Bluetooth pairing and music streaming were easy, and the Harman Kardon speakers provided rich sound. USB ports were available in all three rows. The Ascent Touring offered a 180-degree front camera view and a 180-degree rear camera view, but lacked a 360-degree view camera and front parking sensors. The PIN Code Vehicle Access system allowed owners to lock the key fob inside the vehicle while engaging in outdoor activities.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system, which included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a Jeep Skill for Amazon Alexa. The system was user-friendly, with fast response times and pleasing graphics. SiriusXM provided satellite radio, Traffic Plus, and Travel Link services, along with SiriusXM Guardian for remote access to the vehicle. The voice recognition technology worked well, allowing control of many features through voice commands. The Grand Cherokee offered a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system, with a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system available in the Summit trim. The Grand Cherokee was “tech lite,” focusing on essential features and advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). The redesigned 2022 model was expected to offer significant digital advancements.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was built on Subaru’s latest global platform, designed for exceptional occupant protection. It received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The EyeSight system included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Premium trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while Limited trim included LED steering-responsive headlights and reverse automatic braking. The EyeSight Assist Monitor projected indicators onto the windshield, enhancing driver awareness. The Ascent also featured a rear-seat reminder system and Starlink Safety Plus connected services, which included automatic collision notification, SOS emergency calling, and roadside assistance.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee had mixed safety ratings. It received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for 4WD models, but only a four-star rating for 2WD models due to a three-star rollover resistance rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Grand Cherokee a "Marginal" rating for driver-side small-overlap frontal impacts and a "Poor" rating for passenger-side impacts. The standard headlights also received a "Poor" rating unless upgraded. The Summit trim included the ProTech II Package, which offered adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Grand Cherokee also featured a backup camera, parking sensors, and ParkSense parking assistance.