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Tesla’s Wild Ride Continues2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Review
We’ve looked at hundreds of cars, trucks, and SUVs, but the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee is perhaps the most versatile family SUV.
What’s New for the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee
The biggest change for the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee is that the diesel engine that was available for 2019 is gone. New wheel options are available for the High Altitude model. Jeep has also created a Premium Lighting package with HIDs, LED fog lights, and auto high-beams available on Limited, Laredo, and Trailhawk models. Summit and Overland Grand Cherokees get new interior trim colors and for the first time, the Active Safety package is available for the Laredo trim level. It adds active lane keeping, automated braking, and forward-collision warning. Finally, the Limited and Trailhawk models get a standard single-pane sunroof.
The Chrysler Corporation has found a way to be incredibly profitable that no other domestic manufacturer seems to be taking advantage of. This Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of many in the Chrysler family that’s sitting on a sincerely old platform. Introduced in 2010 as a 2011 model, this generation of the Grand Cherokee has managed to maintain its profitability thanks to continued innovation both inside and out. Thankfully for Chrysler, the bones of this SUV (originally a Mercedes ML chassis) are quite strong. They’ve allowed Jeep to focus solely on improving the supporting systems and customers are still in love with it more than a decade after its initial introduction. As we take in all that the 2020 model has to offer, it’s obvious that Jeep has continued its march towards progress.
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The Breakdown
Two performance versions
Reliable off-road capability
Excellent interior features
A bit rough riding for some
Some interior pieces feel inexpensive
UConnect interface could be improved
Additional luxury features would be nice
2020 Grand Cherokee Specs
- 295 horsepower from base engine
- 260 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 7 available trims
- 36 cu-ft. of cargo capacity
- 68.3 cu-ft. of cargo capacity with seats down
- Towing capacity of 7,200 lbs
- UConnect infotainment system
- 5-star rated safety
- 5-year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty
2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Powertrain
The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee proves that in today’s automotive market you have to sell a car that can be all things to all people. It achieves this in terms of driving performance by offering one of the largest sweeps of performance ever seen for a single SUV. The base V6 makes just shy of 300 horsepower and while it’s not spritely or sporty in any way, it will get you where you need to go without making it feel like you’re struggling to keep up with traffic.
On the other end of the spectrum is the absolutely batty Trackhawk with more than 700 horsepower and some 650 lb-ft of torque created by the same sort of supercharged V8 found in the Dodge Demon and Hellcat. To achieve maximum thrust, the Trackhawk and its naturally-aspirated brother, the SRT Grand Cherokee both feature a special 4WD system not available on the other trims.
Regardless of which engine your Grand Cherokee has under the hood, power is fed through an 8-speed automatic transmission. Of all the automatics on the market today, this is one of the most enjoyable. Driving around town it’s intuitive and smooth and then when it’s time to row your own gears via the paddle shifters it’s quick to take direction like a well-trained Doberman.
Mimicking the dynamic range of abilities, the suspension of this Jeep will do what most buyers expect of it. For those with the lower-end trims, it will be reasonably comfortable and reliably predictable with moderate body roll and good responsive braking. Stepping up to the two potent performers, handling is dramatically sharper than it should seem possible for a vehicle that weighs more than an adult Black Rhinoceros.
The only real issue we can tell is when buyers opt for the Summit or Overland packages. For these two luxury aimed trims we’d expect something that rides much softer and more comfortably than it does even with the air suspension. They’re both still passable but for the kind of money spent, many other competitors are more pleasurable to drive.
2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Fuel Economy & MPG
While the sporting versions take a hit in overall economy, the rest of the field is capable of getting 26 mpg on the highway and 19 in the city. That’s fantastic compared to many of its main competitors and most buyers who want or need more won’t be looking at the Grand Cherokee to begin with.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Take a look at the Grand Cherokee in 2011 and you’d never believe that this is the same SUV underneath everything else. This interior feels fantastic so long as you ignore some of the cheaper plastics on the dash and center control stack. The touchscreen is crisp and clear regardless of whether you end up with the 7-inch or the 8.4-inch version.
The seats are especially nice regardless of your position inside. We wish they were a bit more responsive when it comes to heating and ventilation but frankly, that’s just picking nits. Road noise is kept to a minimum too.
This Jeep is much like its predecessors with solid cargo capacity of more than 36 cubic feet and a grand total of 68.3 once the rear seats are folded flat. One thing that’s especially impressive is that this smallish SUV by today’s standards can tow up to 7,200 lbs which is big truck territory.
Entertainment & Technology
UConnect is a great example of how the Grand Cherokee has maintained its success. UConnect has improved each year and with that maturation process, you get the best version here. It’s quick to respond and very well laid out with minimal confusion. The voice controls are impressive too. The base GC gets only 6 speakers but as you option up that number can grow to 19 which is almost more than we can fathom needing. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration great additions and a Wi-Fi hotspot are also available.
Safety Features
The Grand Cherokee is available with tons of advanced safety features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning and Lane Keep assist. Our problem there is that considering the fact that this is neither a 5-star crash test rated SUV or an IIHS top safety pick it seems like Jeep should be offering as many safety features as they can make as standard, not just optional.
2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trims & Pricing
Laredo – $33,645
At the bottom of the Grand Cherokee barrel is still a pretty capable SUV. With a 7-inch touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, and rear parking sensors it’s a great daily driver. It’s not going to wow anyone when it comes to off-road or on-road performance that’s not really the point.
Limited – $41,450
For those who opt for the Limited trim level they’ll get more tech with the 8.4-inch touchscreen, power-adjustable front seats, a power liftgate, heated front, and rear seats, as well as remote start. Buyers also get leather and the option to bump up to the V8.
Trailhawk – $46,650
The Trailhawk only comes in 4WD but that’s a good thing because it makes this Grand Cherokee far more than just a trim package. It also gets a low range gear (Quadra-Trac II) and QuadraDrive, a terrain selectable traction control system with a special electronic rear differential that ensures the best possible grip regardless of the surface under the tires. Those tires by the way are off-road-focused all-terrain tires made even more effective with QuadraRide, an adjustable air suspension system in all Trailhawks.
Overland – $48,190
This trim level provides access to new options like the 19-speaker premium Harmon & Kardon audio system as well as unique interior colors.
Summit – $53,990
That audio system is standard on the Summit trim level along with active noise canceling, upgraded leather, an auto-parking system, and the Active safety package.
SRT – $68,895
Consider the SRT version the on-road version of the Trailhawk, and yes, you’d think that the Trackhawk would be that, but trust us. The SRT has a 6.4-liter V8 with 475 horsepower and a bevy of sporty features like an adaptive sport-tuned suspension, summer performance tires, and more. Inside it’s highly appointed like the Summit model.
Trackhawk – $87,400
The reason this isn’t the perfect match to the Trailhawk is that if it was, the Trailhawk would need to have 37-inch tires and no doors. That’s how wild this Trackhawk really is. The 707 horsepower V8 under the hood accelerates the Grand Cherokee to 60mph in just 3.3 seconds.
Warranties
The Limited Warranty covers the Grand Cherokee for 3 years or 36,000 miles and the powertrain is covered for a total of 5 years or 60,000 miles. Complementary maintenance is covered for the first two years of ownership for the Overland, Trailhawk, and Summit trim levels.
What we think
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There might not be another vehicle available from a major manufacturer on American roads that can do all the different things that the Cherokee can do. It’s capable of going almost anywhere and being successful whether that’s deep into the trails of Moab or the corkscrew at Laguna Seca. The simple fact is that most drivers won’t ever get close to either extreme and so it will be interesting to see how history remembers this Jeep. Will owners be put off by the cheaper interior and sub-luxury ride quality or will they remember this SUV as the incredibly capable vehicle that it is? Only time will tell.
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