LIKES
- Loads of style after all these years
- Plenty of powertrain options
- Capable off-road Trailhawk
- Five adults fit comfortably
- Hilarious 707-hp Trackhawk
DISLIKES
- A $100,000 Jeep?
- Lackluster efficiency
- Subpar safety scores
- Aging interior
BUYING TIP
- Now that active safety technology is available on the base Laredo, it’s easier to get more Jeep Grand Cherokee for much less money.
The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee impresses with style and performance, but lags behind in safety and fuel economy.
The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee marks the breakover point between “crossover” and “SUV.” It’s a docile wagon on the street, a mud-plugger when the road disappears, and in some forms it’s a demon on a track.
We give it 6.5 out of 10 overall, heavily weighted toward its comfort and performance; the Grand Cherokee’s fuel economy and safety leave a lot to be desired.
This year, the Grand Cherokee gets a slew of updates to keep it fresh, from new options on the supercharged, 700-horsepower Trackhawk model to active safety features available on the base Laredo.
Incredibly, the Grand Cherokee has been around since 2011 with only marginal changes to the exterior, and it still looks fresh. Its wagon-esque body wears SUV hallmarks well, from the seven-slot grille back to an upright roof pillar. The interior hasn’t aged as well but is plenty comfortable and offers user-friendly tech with the right options.
The highlight of the Grand Cherokee experience is performance, whether from the base 295-horsepower V-6 that provides plenty of usable power, to the trio of V-8s available, ranging from workhorse 5.7-liter to insane 6.2-liter with a supercharger and 707 hp. The latter is pulled straight from the Dodge Charger and Challenger SRT Hellcat models, and make for hilarious fun in a tall, four-wheel-drive SUV. Rear-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel-drive is available across the range (standard on V-8 models), while a jacked-up Trailhawk model offers more off-road capability than the average SUV.
With seven trims, multiple special editions and appearance and option packages, and four engine choices, the Grand Cherokee offers plenty of variety, and it’s as practical as any five-seat mid-size SUV on the market, though some competitors offer more passenger and cargo space. Comfort is supreme, however, with big, cushy seats in both the front and rear that are improved on higher trims with fine leather.
Safety and fuel economy are where the Grand Cherokee fall drastically short, with only a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA for rear-wheel-drive models, and a maximum combined fuel economy of 24 mpg from the diesel engine, while gas-powered models average 21 mpg or less.
Styling
The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee remains classically stylish.
The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee is among the best-looking SUVs despite being nearly a decade old. With style, class, and timeless proportions, we give it 8 out of 10.
Jeep blew us away with the Grand Cherokee way back in 2011, and it’s a testament to this SUV’s design that it still looks so good nearly 10 years later. Trapezoidal wheel arches, sleek headlights, subtle chrome or blacked-out trim, and that trademark seven-slot grille check all the right boxes, and the big power SRT and Trackhawk models turn the intensity up with fender flares and big wheels and tires.
The interior hasn’t aged quite as well as the exterior, but it remains high-quality and comfortable, with a good balance of screens and buttons or dials to make functionality easier. Limited, Overland, and Summit models add fine leather, wood, and metal for an upscale feel that lets the Grand Cherokee punch well above its price bracket.
Performance
The hallmark of the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee is performance, from hilarious supercharged V-8 power to off-road capability.
The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers big performance no matter the model, from a stalwart base V-6 to a hilarious supercharged V-8. We give it 7 out of 10 with a nod to its ride and handling, and to its off-road capability.
The Grand Cherokee offers four engine options—all of which are powerful and capable to various degrees. The base 3.6-liter V-6 is a tried-and-true power plant that makes 295 hp and 260 pound-feet of torque through rear-wheel drive and a smooth 8-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available on the V-6 and standard on all V-8 powered models.
That’s plenty of power for daily use, but those who need or want more grunt will go for the optional 5.7-liter V-8 with 360 hp and the ability to tow up to 7,200 pounds.
As if that wasn’t enough, the Trackhawk model borrows the insane supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 from the Dodge Challenger and Charger SRT Hellcat models for 707 horsepower of fury, making the four-wheel-drive Grand Cherokee capable of 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds and a quarter-mile run of 11.6 seconds. Those numbers make it one of the fastest SUVs in the world, but as fun as it is, a price tag of more than $100,000 fully loaded hardly seems worth it for a Jeep.
We’d be remiss not to mention the capable Trailhawk model, which adds off-road suspension, grippier tires, and an all-wheel-drive system that can send nearly 100-percent of power rearward toward an electronic limited-slip differential. This system is also available on Limited, Overland and Summit models, and it’s plenty capable regardless of trim.
Off-road, ride and handling
It’s impressive that, in spite of that ability, the Grand Cherokee can also steer and ride as well as it does. Thanks to unibody construction and a well-designed independent suspension, the Jeep remains calm on road, without the trucklike bounding of a body-on-frame SUV. For the ultimate performance, Jeep’s Quadra-Lift air suspension can raise ride height from 6.4 to 11.3 inches, or lower it slightly for better fuel economy. That comes in handy on the track, too, where Grand Cherokees with 707-hp V-8 engines do an incredible imitation of Porsche and Mercedes-AMG and BMW M SUVs, with stellar grip and acceleration.
Comfort & Quality
The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee is comfortable, practical, and near luxury-worthy for a family mid-size SUV.
The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee hauls five adults, plenty of stuff, and offers luxury-like features in a comfortable interior. It’s the complete package of mid-size SUVs, so we give it 9 out of 10.
While the Grand Cherokee uses the same wheelbase and platform as the Dodge Durango, the Jeep chooses to offer only five seats instead of the third row that the Dodge features. If you can live without the extra chairs, we say opt for the Grand Cherokee, as its big front and rear seats are soft and comfortable, and road manners are outstanding.
Top-tier Summit models include fine leather with embroidered logos and stitching details, as well as real wood and metal trim. Even the base Laredo is well-equipped with its cloth seats and soft-touch plastics, though nearly a decade on, some trim pieces and switchgear are starting to show their age.
Behind the second row, 36.3 cubic feet of cargo room swallows most gear you could hope to carry, while 63 cubes are available with the rear seats folded flat.
Each trim and special edition or package offers unique upholstery and detailing options, while the SRT and Trackhawk models use suede-effect material and racy trim pieces to remind you what you’re driving.
Safety
The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee has mediocre safety scores and equipment.
With mediocre safety scores and active-safety features still optional, we give the 2020 Grand Cherokee a 5 out of 10 here.
While the all-wheel-drive model receives five stars overall, the rear-wheel-drive model only manages four stars from the federal government due to its three-star rollover rating, and both get just four stars for frontal crash tests. (We normally would award a point for five stars and deduct one for four stars overall, but have done neither here given these results.) The IIHS had similar concerns for the 2019 model, giving just a “Marginal” score for the driver-side front-overlap test and “Acceptable” and “Poor” ratings for the Grand Cherokee’s two headlight options.
For 2020, Jeep has made active safety features like automatic emergency braking, active lane control, and automatic high-beam headlights available on even the base Laredo model at low cost, but for over $33,000 to start, these features should be standard by now. Blind-spot monitors are standard, as are rear parking sensors.
Features
The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee has the features SUV shoppers expect, is well-equipped across the range and luxurious at the top, though priced like it.
The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers nearly more trims and options than we can comprehend, but it gets very expensive very quickly. That’s worth 7 out of 10 for this category, with extra points for its infotainment system and options list.
As standard, the base Laredo model comes with 17-inch wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, cloth seats, two USB charging ports, a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, blind-spot monitors with rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and power features. Active safety features such as automatic emergency braking and active lane control are now available on the Laredo, making it a great value play at the bottom of the range.
The Limited model—our pick—adds an upgraded 8.4-inch infotainment system that includes navigation, remote start, a single-pane sunroof, 18-inch wheels, leather upholstery, heated power-adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel, a 115-volt household outlet, and more. Trailhawk models are off-road oriented and come with unique styling accents and badges inside and out, knobby off-road tires, a slightly higher suspension for better ground clearance, and an advanced all-wheel-drive system with an electronic locking rear differential.
SRT and Trackhawk models dial up the intensity with fender flares, more grille vents, synthetic suede interior elements, big Brembo brakes, and performance monitoring software among other unique, performance-oriented touches. Trackhawk models can be optioned to over $100,000 though, a ridiculous price, no matter the horsepower count.
Fuel Economy
The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s middling fuel economy plummets to poor in performance models.
The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee pays for its power and capability at the pump. For its middle-of-the-road to poor fuel economy, we give it 4 out of 10 based on V-6 SUVs with all-wheel drive.
The base V-6 manages only middling fuel economy, averaging 19 mpg city, 26 highway, 21 combined with rear-wheel drive and 18/25/21 mpg with all-wheel drive. That’s barely a penalty for choosing two additional driven wheels.
Stepping up to the 5.7-liter V-8 comes with another drop in efficiency as all-wheel drive is standard, managing only 14/22/17 mpg.
The Grand Cherokee is, by far, the Jeep with the highest road test score thanks to its accomplished ride, handling, seat comfort and easy controls. Reliability is a mixed bag across the brand. Owners told CR that they love these two- and three-row models, flaws and all. southcountyautos.com
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