How Does the Jeep Grand Cherokee Compare to the Competition?
Confident performance, refined craftsmanship, and advanced technology distinguish the Jeep Grand Cherokee from its competitors, the Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, and Honda Pilot. Its strong towing capabilities, off-road engineering, and upscale materials distinguish Jeep's approach, delivering confidence on any road. So, how does the renowned legacy of rugged capability and refinement of the Jeep Grand Cherokee compare in performance, off-road engineering, and interior craftsmanship?
Performance Capabilities
The Jeep Grand Cherokee has a range of powertrain options, including a 3.6-liter V6 with 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, a 5.7-liter V8 with 357 horsepower, and the electrified 4xe plug-in hybrid system, which combines a turbocharged engine with battery power for 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. When properly configured, maximum towing reaches 7,200 pounds.
- The Ford Explorer delivers strong engine options, including a 300-horsepower 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder and a 400-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 in its ST trim. Towing tops out at 5,600 pounds, slightly behind the Jeep Grand Cherokee's capabilities.
- The Toyota Highlander focuses on efficiency, featuring a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 265 horsepower and a hybrid variant producing 243 horsepower. Towing reaches 5,000 pounds at best, limiting its versatility for heavier loads.
- The Honda Pilot has a 3.5-liter V6 delivering 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Still, its towing capacity peaks at 5,000 pounds, trailing behind the Jeep.
Off-Road Readiness
Off-road engineering sets the Jeep Grand Cherokee apart. With Quadra-Trac and Quadra-Drive 4WD systems, a terrain management system, and available air suspension, it effortlessly adapts to changing landscapes. The Trailhawk trim enhances off-road control with all-terrain tires, skid plates, and front tow hooks, giving it the confidence to traverse deep ruts, rocky paths, and muddy conditions.
- The Ford Explorer offers an all-wheel drive (AWD) with terrain management system, but it lacks the Jeep's specialized off-road hardware.
- The Toyota Highlander prioritizes road comfort and light-duty all-wheel drive. It handles snow or rain well, but it lacks the ground clearance and articulation of the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
- The Honda Pilot TrailSport edition adds a mild off-road setup. Yet, even with its lifted suspension and all-terrain tires, it does not reach the capability of Jeep Trailhawk models.
Fuel Efficiency
Efficiency varies based on drivetrain configurations. The Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe hybrid leads the lineup, achieving an estimated 56 MPGe when using battery-assisted power. Its standard V6 engine gets around 19 mpg around the city and 26 mpg on the highway, while the V8 prioritizes power over economy.
- The Ford Explorer Hybrid reaches 27 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, making it efficient, but it does not offer plug-in capability. Gasoline versions hover between 20-28 mpg, depending on the engine.
- The Toyota Highlander Hybrid achieves 36 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, making it one of the most fuel-efficient options. The turbocharged gasoline model offers 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway yet sacrifices some power for economy.
- The Honda Pilot focuses on reliability over efficiency, with an estimated 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, keeping it in line with the Jeep's gasoline models.
Interior Amenities and Cargo Space
Craftsmanship meets advanced technology inside the Jeep Grand Cherokee, with available Palermo leather, open-pore wood trim, and massaging front seats. A 10.1-inch touchscreen provides seamless infotainment access, and an optional passenger display enhances usability for co-pilots.
Cargo capacity reaches 70.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The three-row Jeep Grand Cherokee L increases versatility, offering room for up to seven passengers with expanded cargo space.
- The Ford Explorer features a well-equipped cabin, with available leather seating and a 10.1-inch touchscreen, but its materials lean toward functionality over luxury. Cargo reaches 87.8 cubic feet, surpassing the Jeep Grand Cherokee L in volume but lacking the refinement found in the Jeep interior.
- The Toyota Highlander maximizes practicality, offering up to 84.3 cubic feet of cargo space and three-row seating for eight, which may feel cramped for adults.
- The Honda Pilot prioritizes family-friendly utility, with maximum cargo storage of up to 87 cubic feet and a spacious cabin built for comfort. However, it lacks the high-end material options the Jeep Grand Cherokee offers.
Technology and Safety
The Jeep Grand Cherokee integrates advanced safety and driver-assists, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assistance, and optional night vision with pedestrian detection. The Uconnect five system provides wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a customizable digital gauge cluster, enhancing driver engagement.
- The Ford Explorer offers Co-Pilot360 technology, featuring automated emergency braking, lane-centering, and rear cross-traffic alerts, compared to the Jeep system, which provides additional off-road safety tools.
- The Toyota Highlander comes with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which offers lane-tracing assistance and road sign recognition. However, its infotainment system has a steeper learning curve.
- The Honda Pilot includes the Honda Sensing suite of driver aids and an optional head-up display-However, its interface can feel less intuitive compared to the Jeep model's Uconnect system.
Browse New Inventory and Schedule a Test Drive
Learn more about what makes the Jeep Grand Cherokee so popular with car buyers looking for a comfortable, spacious, and versatile SUV. Start your search from home by browsing our new Jeep Grand Cherokee inventory and visit our sales lot to schedule a test drive today.
How can we help?
* Indicates a required field