We're accustomed to the Jeep Grand Cherokee being everything to everybody, and for 2020 Jeep stays on course. The only substantial change was to drop the 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine choice. The mainstream gas-powered engines are the base 295-hp 3.6-liter V6 and a 5.7-liter 360-hp V8. The V6 is a fine engine, but against the V8 its performance feels a touch lackluster; the V8 makes a pleasing sound and amps up the Grand Cherokee's towing capability. Both use a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive is standard, with a choice of four-wheel-drive systems on offer. The only regular Jeep model that gets standard four-wheel drive is the off-road-focused Trailhawk.
The trim lineup consists of the Laredo, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, SRT, and Trackhawk. Despite the Laredo's comprehensive equipment list, we'd go for the Limited because it ups convenience and comfort and lets you add the optional V8 engine. The SRT models get four-wheel drive as standard and turn the Jeep into a road-biased performance monster—the regular model packs 475 hp, and the range-topping SRT Trackhawk comes with a scarcely believable 707 hp. Given their performance, these two models are quite a good value compared with their rivals. The 2020 Grand Cherokee is a hugely capable all-rounder. Its interior materials and design feel a bit dated, but Jeep's midsize SUV still has a great deal to offer.