2020 Acura MDX vs 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee showcased a classic and enduring design despite its decade-old styling. It boasted distinctive features like the traditional 7-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and a variety of aluminum wheel designs. Each trim level, from the basic Laredo to the extravagant Trackhawk, presented a balance of proportion and detail. The Limited X, a new version introduced in 2019, exhibited performance elements such as a vented hood from the SRT and Trackhawk trims, revised bumpers, and unique 20-inch wheels with matte-finish paint, which enhanced its rugged and upscale appearance. A particular highlight was the heritage-pattern leather seats, which added a touch of luxury. However, the interior still featured some hard plastic surfaces, and elements like the squeaky door panel and flimsy center console storage left something to be desired in terms of build quality.

Conversely, the 2020 Acura MDX, while not groundbreaking in its design, delivered a contemporary and appealing look with its Jewel Eye LED headlights, sleek three-row structure, and superior paint and chrome finishes. Its front grille sported a large Acura logo, which anchored its expressive face. Inside, the MDX steering away from excessive padding and stitching, opting instead for a modern and simple interior. The highlight of the interior was the twin infotainment screens, which comprised an 8.0-inch LED screen for navigation and an On Demand Multi-Use Display (ODMD) touchscreen. This, paired with high-quality materials and excellent fit and finish, made the MDX feel solid and well-built. The switches and knobs actuated with a gratifying authority.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered varied powertrain options, featuring a standard 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower. However, it also presented several powerful upgrades: a 360-hp 5.7-liter V8, a 425-hp 6.4-liter V8 in the SRT version, and the astonishing 707-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the Trackhawk variant. Paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, it offered rear-wheel drive, while various 4WD systems were available depending on the trim. The Limited X came with the Quadra-Drive II 4WD system, ensuring full-time engagement and superior off-road capabilities. The fuel economy suffered, with a combined rating of just 21 mpg, dipping further during real-world testing to around 17.4 mpg. Despite its heavy and slow steering, the Grand Cherokee handled better than expected, feeling invincible and robust on paved roads. Nevertheless, braking performance in non-Trackhawk models could falter under stress during long descents.

The 2020 Acura MDX provided two powertrain choices: a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque or a Sport Hybrid version with a combined 321 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque from a 3.0-liter V6 gasoline engine and three electric motors. The latter included a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) and all-wheel drive. Our review highlighted a gasoline-only model equipped with the Acura Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. This system improved cornering and handling by directing power to the outside wheel during maneuvers, which enhanced stability and confidence. The MDX's nimble performance, aided by paddle shifters and well-balanced drive modes, made it an enjoyable vehicle to drive through various conditions. Its four-wheel independent suspension also provided a smooth and comfortable ride.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee, designed as a 5-passenger midsize SUV, offered a spacious cabin with power-adjustable, heated front seats ensuring comfort. However, backseat passengers with longer legs faced discomfort from the hard plastic front-seatback panels. Although the cabin included essential elements like air conditioning vents, dual USB ports, and a 115-volt power outlet, storage space was limited. The center console bin, dashboard, cup holders, and small door-panel bins left room for improvement. On the cargo front, it provided 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seat and up to 68.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat.

In contrast, the 2020 Acura MDX, as a three-row SUV, emerged as a practical family vehicle with functional innovations borrowed from minivans. The sliding and reclining second-row seats allowed easier access to the third row and flexible legroom distribution. It offered 15.8 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 43.4 cubic feet with it folded flat, and a maximum of 90.9 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down. Additional features included a recessed cubby hole and an underfloor storage space. Upfront, the MDX boasted a large glove box, a versatile center console with electronic connectivity, and door-panel storage. Behind, it catered to second-row passengers with cupholders and storage pouches, and third-row passengers with outboard armrests and cupholders. Tri-zone climate control provided separate heating/cooling options for the driver, front passenger, and rear cabin.

Standard technology in the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo comprised a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which could be upgraded to a more sophisticated version with enhanced graphics and faster responsiveness. The Uconnect system, standard in all trims above the Laredo, included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, voice recognition, and navigation. Pairing a smartphone via Bluetooth was straightforward, and the voice recognition system excelled in finding local points of interest. My test vehicle featured a 9-speaker Alpine audio system, while higher trims like the Trackhawk boasted a superior 19-speaker Harman Kardon system.

The 2020 Acura MDX, however, streamlined its tech offerings into comprehensive packages. The base MDX included Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SMS/MMS text messaging, a CD player, five USB ports, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an eight-speaker audio system. The Technology Package added a plethora of features, such as rain-sensing windshield wipers, LED puddle lights, front and rear parking sensors, navigation, GPS-linked climate control, remote engine start, and an Acura/ELS Studio Premium Audio system with 10 speakers. The Advance Package further introduced an Active Damper System, LED fog lights, heated and ventilated front seats, a surround-view camera system, and Head-Up Warning. Adding the Entertainment Package brought a DVD rear-entertainment system with either a 16.2-inch or 9.0-inch screen, depending on the package, and wireless headphones.

Although the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee came with modern driver-assistance and collision-avoidance technologies, it fell short in collision protection ratings. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Advanced Active Safety Group package, part of my test vehicle, added adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and rain-sensing wipers. Despite these features, the Grand Cherokee received low safety ratings: a Marginal from IIHS for small-overlap frontal-impact protection for the driver, Poor for the front passenger, and a 3-star rollover resistance rating for rear-drive versions, marking it as one of the least-safe SUVs available.

In comparison, the 2020 Acura MDX outshone with its AcuraWatch suite, comprising adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Technology Package added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Advance Package included Head-Up Warning. The MDX's additional safety gear encompassed a rearview camera (or surround-view on the Advance Package), multiple airbags, stability control, Trailer Stability Assist, tire pressure monitoring, LATCH mounts, and a theft-deterrent system. The MDX's sophisticated ACE body structure effectively absorbed crash impact, earning it high safety ratings: "good" from IIHS in all crash tests except for headlights (acceptable) and LATCH ease (acceptable), with "superior" front crash prevention. NHTSA accorded it a five-star overall safety rating.