2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

The 2020 Toyota Highlander presented a design that was subtle yet slightly more refined than its predecessor. The exterior featured a trapezoidal theme, with slanted tailgate glass and pronounced body panel creases. The vehicle's aesthetics were enhanced by projector-beam LED headlights across all trims, with the higher trims, Limited and Platinum, boasting prettier LED running lamps and new 20-inch alloy wheels. The interior of the Highlander was where it truly shone, with a focus on quality fit and finish. Silver-painted accents, an 8-inch touchscreen, and a multi-layered dash created a sophisticated cabin environment. The Limited trim offered a three-tone interior with rich textures and padded surfaces, making it one of the nicest interiors in its class, rivaling even the Kia Telluride.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee maintained its timeless design, combining rugged utility with upscale sophistication. The Grand Cherokee's exterior was characterized by its big wheels, flared fenders, and a balanced design that defined what an SUV should look like. The model lineup ranged from the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the upscale Overland and Summit, with high-performance SRT and Trackhawk models. The Summit trim, in particular, featured a plush interior with premium leather, genuine wood, and real aluminum accents. However, despite its luxurious feel, the interior showed signs of aging, with outdated switchgear and non-flush panel fits. The Grand Cherokee's design was both a testament to its enduring appeal and a reminder of the need for a redesign.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. Available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations, the Highlander offered smooth and brisk acceleration, akin to the Lexus RX. The eight-speed automatic transmission made full use of the engine's power, though it required a heavy foot for a kickdown. The Highlander's steering was loose, and its suspension was soft, leading to a ride that felt more like an older Buick. Despite these drawbacks, the Highlander provided a calming and isolating driving experience, especially on long road trips. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with the FWD model rated at 11.9 L/100 km in the city and 8.3 on the highway.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. For those seeking more power, an optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 was available, offering 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain provided a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,300 kg and a satisfying V8 rumble. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system and Quadra-Lift air suspension enhanced its off-road capabilities, allowing for a smooth transition between different terrains. However, the V8's fuel efficiency was less impressive, with a combined rating of 14.1 L/100 km. Despite its bouncy ride in the city, the Grand Cherokee's tight turning radius and responsive brakes made it a versatile choice for both urban and off-road adventures.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander offered seating for eight, or seven with the second-row captain's chairs on the Platinum trim. The second-row seats were versatile, with generous legroom and easy access to the third row. The Highlander's ergonomics were designed for comfort, with wide-opening rear doors and a convenient seat height for easy ingress and egress. Cargo space was ample, with 453 litres behind the third row and up to 2,378 litres with the seats folded. The interior featured practical storage solutions, including eight cupholders, four bottle holders, and two shelves integrated into the dash. However, the wireless charging pad's placement was inconvenient, blocking access to the centre armrest cubby.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured a luxurious interior with quilted and perforated leather seats, courtesy of the Signature Leather-Wrapped Interior Package. Both front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat, while comfortable, had limited legroom for taller adults. The optional rear-seat entertainment system added to the sense of claustrophobia, but large side windows and a panoramic sunroof helped alleviate this. Cargo space was adequate, with 1,028 litres behind the rear seat and 1,934 litres with the second row folded. The Grand Cherokee's interior storage was limited, but practical features like grocery bag hooks and a power liftgate closing button added convenience.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander's infotainment system felt outdated, with low-resolution screens and a lack of onboard apps. The 12.3-inch touchscreen on the Platinum trim was underutilized, with limited usable area for maps and vehicle options. However, the Highlander offered a 10-inch head-up display and a 7-inch display in the instrument cluster, providing useful information. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, adaptive cruise control, and a JBL audio system on higher trims. The Highlander's semi-automated driving system was effective, and Safety Connect offered emergency crash notifications and a stolen vehicle locator.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee's Uconnect 4C with Nav system provided a nearly flawless user experience, with fast response times and pleasing graphics. The system included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. SiriusXM services were available, offering satellite radio and subscription-based Traffic Plus and Travel Link services. The Grand Cherokee's voice recognition technology was surprisingly effective, allowing for control of various features through voice commands. The Summit trim featured a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, delivering impressive sound quality. While the Grand Cherokee was "tech lite," it offered essential features and a collection of advanced driving assistance systems.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear emergency braking. The Highlander received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was awarded a 2020 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee's safety ratings were less impressive, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models but a four-star rating for 2WD models due to a three-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS rated the Grand Cherokee "Marginal" for driver safety and "Poor" for front passenger safety in small-overlap frontal-impact collisions. The Summit trim included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Grand Cherokee also offered a backup camera, parking sensors, and a ParkSense parking assistance system.