While the current generation of Jeep Grand Cherokees has been around since 2011, Car and Driver calls this SUV “thoroughly enjoyable.” With numerous trims, Car and Driver says there’s “one for every budget.”

The 2020 Grand Cherokee includes the latest tech and safety features that buyers have come to expect, including Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Here’s a look at some of those features that are becoming indispensable in today’s world. 

Android Auto

The Android Auto software in the Jeep Grand Cherokee is developed by Google and gives drivers a way to use their phones through the car’s infotainment system in a hands-free way. Like Apple CarPlay, the system provides icons and menus for use on the vehicle’s touchscreen infotainment system.

Google Maps is an important navigation app that makes it easy to access the phone’s saved destinations. Having an available navigation app also means the vehicle doesn’t need to provide native navigation software, although all the Grand Cherokee trim levels except Laredo have it.

In addition to navigation, drivers can use Android Auto to make phone calls, respond verbally to text, and listen to songs and podcasts. It’s compatible with a large number of phone apps, including Waze, Pandora, Spotify, and Skype.

Saying  “Hey, Google” turns on the Google Assistant, which lets the driver use verbal commands to control the system. The Assistant can respond to requests and questions to find a location, play a song, set a reminder, read from a schedule, or report on the weather.

Android Auto will work with all Android phones that are running Lollipop 5.0 or higher and also have the Android Auto app. Phones running Android 10 already have Android Auto included and don’t need the app. While some vehicles support wireless Android Auto, most phones should be hooked to the vehicle using a USB cable.

2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee infotainment systems

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard as part of the infotainment system. The Grand Cherokee’s Uconnect infotainment system includes a touchscreen plus physical buttons and knobs. Car and Driver says the system is one of their “favorites for its ease of use and snappy response times.”

U.S. News & World Report agrees, saying the “Uconnect infotainment system is a breeze to use.” The standard touchscreen on the base Laredo trim is 7.0 inches. All other trims come with the 8.4-inch touchscreen. The system also includes Bluetooth connectivity and integrated Voice Command.

More Grand Cherokee tech

The infotainment system isn’t the only tech offered. The Laredo trim comes with two USB ports, while all other trims have four. In addition, rear-seat entertainment is an available option along with a Wi-Fi hotspot. The standard audio system has six speakers, but there are several additional options. SiriusXM radio is one option, and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon system is available for the Overland trim and standard for the Summit trim.

A subscription to SiriusXM Guardian offers remote vehicle start, vehicle finder, a monthly vehicle health report, the ability to send locations to the touchscreen, and SOS calling to request emergency responders or roadside assistance. Jeep Skill for Amazon Alexa lets you do some of these functions through an Alexa device.

For the exterior, the Laredo, Limited, and Trailhawk trims include what Jeep calls the Premium Lighting Group. This new set of features provides bi-xenon high-intensity discharge headlamps, signature daytime running lights, LED fog lamps, and auto high-beam headlamps.

Safety features

The Grand Cherokee’s technology extends into safety and driver-assistance features. All trims come with the ProTech I Package and have blind spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, rear park assist, and a rear backup camera.

The Laredo, Upland, and Altitude trims have the available ProTech II Package, giving access to forward collision warning with active braking, advanced brake assist, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlamps.

A few more safety features are available through the Advanced ProTech II Package, which is available for the Limited, Trailhawk, and Overland trims and standard for the High Altitude, Limited X, Summit, SRT, and Trailhawk. This adds full-speed collision warning with active braking, adaptive cruise control, parallel and perpendicular park assist, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

The next generation of Jeep Grand Cherokees is expected to appear during the first half of 2021, so look for more tech features and upgrades to come.