If you’re considering purchasing a 2020 Jeep Cherokee or 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, chances are you are in the market for a rugged-yet-sophisticated SUV—one that can handle itself on the road less taken but that is also comfortable for your daily commute. Indeed, both SUVs share these qualities, among many others. Nonetheless, they are different vehicles. The Cherokee is a compact SUV. The Grand Cherokee is a midsize SUV. So, it’s inevitable that they differ in certain areas.
To help you determine whether the 2020 Jeep Cherokee or Grand Cherokee can best meet your needs and preferences, let’s discuss information for both vehicles and compare powertrains, off-road capabilities, interiors, technologies, and other features:
Power and Towing
A new turbocharged four-cylinder engine joins the standard four-cylinder and optional V-6 to make three engine options for the Cherokee in 2020. The four-cylinder (2.4-liter inline-four) serves as the base engine and produces 180 horses and 171 pound-feet of torque. The 3.2-liter Pentastar V-6 is good for 271 hp and 239 lb-ft of torque, while the new turbocharged four-cylinder pushes 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of twists. All engines are paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V-6 can provide up to 4,500 pounds of towing, which great for its class, and the turbocharged four-cylinder will pull about 4,000 lb.
The Grand Cherokee offers four engines. It comes with a V-6 base engine, but you can opt for a V-8 on any trim above the Altitude. The 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 produces 295 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, while the available 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 yields 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The Grand Cherokee SRT comes standard with a performance-focused 6.4-liter V-8 engine that’s good for 475 horses and 470 lb-ft of twists.
The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk trim runs on a 6.2-liter Hellcat V-8 that pushes 707 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque. All engines are matched with an eight-speed transmission. The V-6 engine has a maximum towing capacity of 6,200 pounds while the V-8 engines will pull up to 7,200 pounds.
Off-Road Pros
You can’t really go wrong with either the Cherokee or Grand Cherokee when it comes to off-road capabilities. The Cherokee has a reputation for besting its competitors in the compact SUV segment. The Cherokee Trailhawk, in particular, includes specially-designed suspension and four-wheel drive.
The Grand Cherokee also shines in its class in terms of off-road performance, and it offers more features than the Cherokee in this category. For example, several different four-wheel drive options are available with the Grand Cherokee, as well as hill ascent and descent control, traction management systems, and a limited-slip differential. The list is topped off by a Quadra-Lift air suspensions system.
Interior
Being a midsize SUV, the Grand Cherokee naturally offers more overall headroom and legroom than the Cherokee. The Cherokee is quite comfortable for the average driver and front passenger, but it gets a little tight in the backseat. Cargo space also goes to the Grand Cherokee, which offers 36.3 cubic feet of trunk space and 63.8 with the second-row seats folded down. The Cherokee provides 25.8 cubic feet of space in the trunk. Lowering the cargo floor pushes it to 27.6 cubic feet, and folding down the back seats makes it 54.7.
Both the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee have sturdy, comfortable seats, though the Grand Cherokee’s are larger overall, which might increase the comfort a little. Moreover, The Grand Cherokee’s cabin materials get more luxurious as you go up in trim levels, while all Cherokee trims rely on hard plastics and soft-touch materials.
Technology
Whether you go with a Cherokee or Grand Cherokee, you can expect great technology. Both models come with Jeep’s Uconnect infotainment system, which is recognized as one of the best in the industry, and both come standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a seven-inch touchscreen. An 8.4-inch screen is available on the Cherokee while it comes standard on every Grand Cherokee besides the base model.
In regards to safety, the Cherokee earned higher ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, though both the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee received four stars overall from the NHTSA. Furthermore, both vehicles come with impressive safety technology. Every Cherokee is equipped with a rearview camera and rear parking sensors, while park assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear-cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control are optional.
The Grand Cherokee comes standard with a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear-cross traffic alert. And on every trim level, you can opt for the features mentioned above, as well as active parallel and perpendicular parking assist and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
The Bottom Line
The 2020 Jeep Cherokee and 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee are both great SUVs with a long-standing reputation that speaks for itself. The SUV you should choose really comes down to what you’re looking for. The Cherokee is smaller, which means that you will likely pay a lower price overall for a well-rounded, capable compact SUV. However, if you need the extra cabin and cargo space, a more powerful engine, and a few additional luxuries, the Grand Cherokee could be right up your alley. Come see us at Mount Airy Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and schedule a test drive today!
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