2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

2020 Grand Cherokee Laredo (volume trim) carries the Pentastar 3.6L V6 rated 293 hp @ 6400 rpm, unchanged for this carry-over model year within the WK2 generation.

Peak torque of the standard Pentastar V6 at the volume Laredo trim.

Instrumented/estimated 0-60 for the V6 4x4 volume configuration; V8-equipped trims are meaningfully quicker.

The Pentastar V6 is adequate but works hard to move the Grand Cherokee's curb weight; delivery is smooth with no turbo lag but reviewers consistently note it feels underpowered relative to segment rivals with turbo fours or larger V8 options.

The ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic (850RE) shifts smoothly and rarely hunts, a longstanding strength of this platform carried unchanged into 2020.

Manufacturer-rated max towing for the Pentastar V6 volume configuration; V8-equipped trims tow more.

4WD is available across the full 2020 trim range (Laredo through Summit and Trackhawk) with a tiered system of Quadra-Trac I/II, Quadra-Drive II and Selec-Terrain traction management, including low-range on off-road-oriented trims.

The Trailhawk trim adds Quadra-Lift adjustable air suspension (up to 10.8 in ground clearance), a locking rear differential, Active Drive Lock 4WD, underbody skid plates and all-terrain tires — genuine off-road credibility for a unibody mid-size SUV, though short of body-on-frame Wrangler-class capability.

Four distinct gas engines span the 2020 range (3.6L V6, 5.7L V8, 6.4L SRT V8, supercharged 6.2L Trackhawk V8) covering mainstream to extreme-performance needs, but there is no electrified option this model year — the 4xe plug-in hybrid arrives only with the next-generation (WL) Grand Cherokee in 2022.

EPA combined rating for the 2020 Grand Cherokee 3.6L V6 4WD volume configuration.

EPA city rating for the 2020 Grand Cherokee 3.6L V6 4WD volume configuration.

EPA highway rating for the 2020 Grand Cherokee 3.6L V6 4WD volume configuration.

EPA total range computed from combined MPG and the 24.6-gallon fuel tank on the V6 4WD volume configuration.

EPA estimated annual fuel cost for the 2020 Grand Cherokee 3.6L V6 4WD volume configuration at standard assumptions.

The 3.6L Pentastar V6 volume powertrain runs on regular unleaded with no premium recommendation, keeping running costs low and simple.

NHTSA's overall 5-star rating applies to the 4WD Grand Cherokee, the volume drivetrain for this nameplate; the 2WD variant is held to 4 stars by a weaker rollover result.

No Top Safety Pick award for the 2020 model year. Moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraints are all Good, but the small overlap front test — a key modern-crash-safety measure — is Marginal on the driver side and Poor on the passenger side, and headlights are rated Poor on the standard/volume configuration.

Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-path detection and rear park assist are standard across the lineup (ProTech I), but forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist all require an added ProTech II or Advanced ProTech II package on the volume Laredo/Limited trims — they're standard only on the range-topping High Altitude, Summit, SRT, and Trackhawk.

IIHS rated the Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus system Superior in vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention, avoiding collisions at both 12 and 25 mph. The score is held back of the top band because that system is bundled into an optional package rather than standard on the volume trim, and no pedestrian-detection result was published for this generation.

Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-path detection is standard across every 2020 Grand Cherokee trim, which is a genuine strength, but it is alert-only with no active steering or braking intervention.

LaneSense lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist is only offered as part of the optional ProTech II/Advanced ProTech II packages on the volume trims, and this era of the system nudges the car back toward the lane rather than offering true continuous centering.

Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go is available via the Advanced ProTech II / Advanced Active Safety Group package, giving competent full-speed-range functionality, but it isn't standard on the volume trim and there is no combined highway-assist branding pairing it with lane centering.

No hands-free highway-driving system (Super Cruise/BlueCruise-equivalent) was offered on the 2020 Grand Cherokee at any trim.

IIHS rated the standard halogen headlights Poor on the base Laredo, Trailhawk, and Limited trims (and even on Laredo with the ProTech II package); only the Premium Lighting Group's HID projector units, fitted on upper trims, rated Acceptable. On the volume configuration, buyers get the Poor-rated lights.

The WK2-generation Grand Cherokee's upright, boxy greenhouse and relatively slim front pillars give an average-to-slightly-better-than-average outward view for the segment, though no instrumented visibility test was found specific to the 2020 model year.

Cars.com's LATCH evaluation found testers struggled to reach the lower anchors for rear-facing infant/convertible seats and the forward-facing convertible, and all three top-tether anchors are hidden under seatback carpet flaps — real friction despite adequate rear-seat room once seats were installed.

The WK2-generation Grand Cherokee is a strict 2-row SUV for 2020; a 3-row Grand Cherokee L did not arrive until the 2021 model year.

Standard front headroom figure for the volume Laredo trim without sunroof.

Mid-pack front legroom for a mid-size SUV.

Competitive second-row headroom for the segment.

Solid second-row legroom, roughly average for a mid-size SUV.

The 2020 Grand Cherokee has no third row at all — it is a strict 2-row SUV; the 3-row Grand Cherokee L did not launch until MY2021.

Behind-second-row cargo volume roughly mid-pack for a mid-size 2-row SUV.

Maximum cargo capacity with the 60/40 rear seats folded flat, average for the class.

Reasonably sized center console and door pockets, but nothing that stands out as segment-leading storage innovation.

Front and rear seats are generally well cushioned and supportive on long drives, praised in period reviews though cloth base seats on Laredo are less premium.

Reviewers describe a ride that is composed most of the time but can turn floaty on the highway or busy over broken pavement, especially with the optional air suspension; not segment-leading.

Reasonably well isolated cabin at highway speed for the segment, without best-in-class acoustic treatment.

Heated front seats and heated steering wheel are available starting on Limited trim, with ventilated seats reserved for Trailhawk/Overland/Summit — the base Laredo volume trim has none of these standard.

Entry Laredo trim MSRP for the 2020 model year, before destination varies slightly by 4x2/4x4.

Limited is the best-selling Grand Cherokee trim, offering the leather/tech package most buyers choose.

RepairPal average annual repair cost ($666/yr, above the $573 midsize-SUV average) plus routine maintenance implies a mid-to-upper 5-year total for the class.

Industry depreciation estimates put the Grand Cherokee slightly behind the midsize-SUV category average (~53.7% retained) due to heavy FCA incentive pricing.

Standard FCA/Jeep new-vehicle limited warranty for the 2020 model year.

Standard FCA/Jeep powertrain limited warranty for the 2020 model year, at the low end of the segment's 5-10 year range.

Jeep Wave (introduced for MY2019/2020) bundles 5-year/60,000-mile 24/7 roadside assistance plus the first two scheduled oil changes and tire rotations free — a real but modest perk package versus rivals offering multi-year full maintenance.

$41,955 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (47% retained, or about $19,719) leaves about $22,236 in depreciation. Add the projected $7,500 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $29,736 in total.

The WK2-generation Grand Cherokee's predicted reliability was mixed by 2020: J.D. Power quality/dependability scores for the nameplate sat in the average band, while Consumer Reports had flagged the 3.6L V6/8-speed powertrain and electronics for owner-reported problems in several prior model years of this same generation. Nothing pointed to top-tier standing, but nothing systemic either.

Jeep has been a consistent bottom-third performer in both Consumer Reports' annual brand reliability rankings and J.D. Power's Vehicle Dependability Study through this period, regularly finishing ahead of only a handful of brands like Land Rover and Alfa Romeo.

NHTSA lists several recalls touching the 2014-2020 Grand Cherokee generation, including a rearview-camera software fix and, for the separately-sold 3.0L EcoDiesel powertrain (not the gas V6 volume trim scored here), high-pressure fuel pump and crankshaft position sensor issues. For the gas trim actually scored, recall activity is typical-for-segment rather than systemic or safety-critical.

The 3.6L Pentastar V6 is a well-proven, high-mileage engine family in wide use across FCA/Stellantis since 2011, though it carries known wear points (rocker roller bearing wear, oil cooler leaks) and a related class-action over valve-train bearing failures. The paired ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic had documented rough-shifting and valve-body issues earlier in this generation's run, with the reputation improving but not fully clean by the 2020 model year.

Reviewers consistently praised the Grand Cherokee's cabin materials as punching above its price point, with standard Nappa leather and upscale wood/metal trim on Overland/Summit models; even the base Laredo used soft-touch plastics in touch zones, with some switchgear starting to show its age this late in the generation.

Reviewers described tight panel gaps and attractive, quiet assembly consistent with a well-sorted, mature platform in its final years before the 2022 redesign, with only minor age-related wear noted on some trim pieces.

Jeep/Chrysler dealers form one of the densest networks in the US given Stellantis's scale, but J.D. Power Customer Service Index data has placed Jeep below the domestic-brand average for service satisfaction, putting the network's reputation in the mid-pack band.

As a long-running, high-volume nameplate the Grand Cherokee has abundant OEM and aftermarket parts support and normal-for-segment maintenance costs, though certain repairs (transmission, ECM) can run high relative to mainstream non-luxury SUVs.

The volume Laredo trim ships with the smaller 7-inch Uconnect 4 screen; the larger 8.4-inch Uconnect 4C with navigation is an upgrade reserved for higher trims.

Uconnect was consistently praised through this era for a fast, logically laid-out interface with real physical climate controls, even as the graphics started to look dated by 2020.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the 2020 lineup, but only via a wired USB connection — the WK2's Uconnect 4/4C hardware did not support wireless projection on any trim that year (that arrived later with Uconnect 5).

Uconnect's voice commands handle basic phone/audio/climate requests reliably, and native nav (on the 8.4-inch screen) is functional but most owners default to phone-projection maps instead.

Base audio is adequate; an available Harman Kardon premium system on upper trims is well regarded but not standard on the volume trim.

The volume trim uses analog gauges with a small 3.5-to-7-inch reconfigurable driver information display rather than a full digital cluster; a larger customizable display is reserved for upper trims.

The Uconnect 4/4C generation used in the 2020 Grand Cherokee predates FCA's over-the-air software platform, which arrived with Uconnect 5 in later model years; updates of this era were largely dealer-applied.

The Uconnect Access app supports remote start, lock/unlock and vehicle locate via the built-in connection, but full functionality requires an ongoing subscription after the initial trial.

Standard USB-A ports front and rear cover basic device charging, but there is no factory USB-C and no widely available factory wireless charging pad for the 2020 model year — aftermarket retrofits fill that gap.

Proximity keyless entry and push-button start with remote start are available from mid-tier trims up, though the base Laredo can be ordered with a more basic key setup.

A rear backup camera and rear park assist are standard, but the 360-degree surround-view camera is an optional feature reserved for Limited and above, not the volume trim.

The WK2-generation Grand Cherokee did not offer a head-up display on any 2020 trim; the feature was not introduced to the Grand Cherokee family until the next generation.

Wide rear door openings and a low load-in height make car-seat installation and daily kid duty reasonably easy, though the 2-row layout and mid-pack cargo limit stroller/gear space compared to larger family SUVs.

Forward collision warning with active braking, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise are all optional packages gated behind ProTech II/Advanced ProTech II — the base Laredo family-price trims only get blind-spot monitoring and a rear camera standard.

Comfortable front and rear seating and a quiet-enough cabin suit multi-hour trips for four, but rear-seat entertainment/amenities are limited and cargo shrinks quickly once luggage for four is loaded.

A smooth 8-speed automatic, comfortable ride around town, and a commanding view out make the Grand Cherokee an easy, low-fatigue daily driver.

The standard V6 returns roughly 19 city/26 highway MPG, average-to-below-average for the mid-size SUV class, keeping per-mile running costs unremarkable.

A 37.1-ft turning diameter and mid-size footprint make it reasonably easy to place in traffic and parking lots, though the base trim lacks the 360-degree camera that eases tight urban parking.

A 1,180 lb payload and up to 7,200 lb towing (with the V8, or roughly 6,200 lb on the volume V6) give it genuine light-work and trailer-towing usefulness for a unibody SUV, though it can't match body-on-frame truck-based rivals.

The WK2 platform and Pentastar V6/ZF 8-speed combination have a long production run since 2011 with a generally reasonable durability track record, though FCA-era reliability perception is mixed rather than fleet-proven.

As a unibody SUV rather than a truck, it offers basic rear tie-downs and a removable cargo shelf at most, with no meaningful upfit ecosystem, onboard power, or work-oriented accessories.

A comfortable highway ride, reasonably quiet cabin, and a roughly 500-mile highway tank range on the V6 make it a capable mile-eater, though the strongest driver-assist suite is optional rather than standard on the volume trim.

Quadra-Trac/Quadra-Drive 4x4 systems are widely available across the lineup and the dedicated Trailhawk trim adds real off-road hardware (locking differential, skid plates, raised ride height), giving the nameplate genuine adventure credibility even on non-Trailhawk 4x4 trims.

60/40-split folding rear seats, available roof rails, and a factory tow-hitch option handle typical gear-hauling duty well, even though total cargo volume is only mid-pack for the segment.

Handling is secure and stable in everyday driving, but reviewers note noticeable body roll and lost composure over mid-corner bumps on winding roads — unremarkable rather than segment-leading.

Steering is precise enough for confident lane placement but numb, offering little genuine road feedback.

Braking is adequate with a reasonably firm pedal, without standout stopping performance versus rivals.

The Pentastar V6 paired with the ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic shifts smoothly and calibrates tip-in well, a longstanding strength of this drivetrain combination.

The V6 is audible under hard acceleration but not intrusive or coarse during normal driving.

A reasonably tight turning circle for a mid-size SUV, aiding maneuverability in tight spaces.

A commanding, SUV-typical seating position with good outward visibility and logically placed controls; power seat adjustment is available on most trims.

Pleasant and easy to live with day to day but not engaging — the volume V6 trim is a comfort-oriented cruiser rather than something enthusiasts seek out (that role falls to the SRT/Trackhawk variants).

Even the base 2020 Laredo includes blind-spot monitoring, keyless entry/push-button start, dual-zone climate control and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto — features some rivals reserve for higher trims — though the 7-inch touchscreen and cloth seats read modestly for the price.

Strong off-road hardware (Quadra-Drive II, Quadra-Lift air suspension, Trailhawk) and a genuinely upscale Summit/High Altitude cabin give real capability and content per dollar, offset by an aging WK2 platform whose base tech (7-inch screen, older infotainment) lags fresher segment rivals.

Eleven trims span Laredo through Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, High Altitude, Summit, SRT (475 hp) and Trackhawk (707 hp) — one of the widest spreads in the segment from budget to supercar-quick.

The Grand Cherokee ranked among the 15 best-selling vehicles in the US for 2020, a strong result for a single-nameplate midsize SUV nearing the end of its generation.

Jeep carries genuine off-road heritage and a loyal following that lifts the Grand Cherokee's desirability, tempered by the brand's below-average reliability reputation weighing on resale and satisfaction.

FCA/Jeep was well known in 2020 for aggressive dealer cash, low-APR financing and lease incentives on the Grand Cherokee, giving buyers meaningful negotiating room without desperation-level pricing.

The WK2 generation launched for MY2011 and received only a 2014 facelift and 2017 update; by 2020 the platform is nine model years old with the all-new WL generation already known to be arriving for 2022, making imminent replacement a real consideration for buyers.

Reviewers consistently praised off-road ability, powertrain choice and interior quality, but the 2020 Grand Cherokee was rarely the outright pick in midsize-SUV comparison tests against fresher, more efficient, better-riding rivals like the Highlander or Telluride.