2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. 2023 Ford Explorer

 

Both the Ford Explorer and the Jeep Grand Cherokee are midsize SUVs vying for your attention. Their similarities are such that it may be difficult to choose which is best for you. They have similar specs, high ratings, and seem to fill the same niches. However, take a closer look and you’ll spot some key differences. Here we’ll go through them to establish where they differ and which edges in key areas. View our inventory of New Vehicles, or if you have any questions, give us a call at (539)-766-8990 today!

Jeep Grand Cherokee Engine and Performance

For basic levels of performance, the 2023 Ford Explorer is a great asset with some excellent options, such as the 2.3-liter Ecoboost I-4, which offers you a whopping 300 horsepower, or the 3.3-liter V-6 hybrid, which offers 318 horsepower. If you really want to go for the most powerful one available, then consider the 3.0-liter EcoBoost V-6, which has an excellent 400 horsepower. Rear-wheel drive is standard, but you can upgrade to all-wheel drive in most trims.

When compared to the veritable stable of horsepower that is the Explorer, the Cherokee doesn’t do badly. Its options include a 3.6-liter V-6 engine with 293 horsepower and a 5.7 Hemi V-8 with 357 horsepower. Its plug-in hybrid options include the 4xe model, which can provide you with 375 horsepower. However, it’s worth comparing these models for efficiency. Whereas the Explorer offers you 24 mpg combined, the Cherokee only offers 22. However, the plug-in Grand Cherokee can offer 56 mpg-equivalent if it’s in electric mode and 23 mpg combined if it’s in hybrid mode.

In terms of towing, the Cherokee is the winner with a maximum capacity of 7,200 pounds compared with only 5,600 pounds for the Explorer. So if you’re planning to do any hitching up, the Cherokee is the one to consider, although it’s worth making sure you’re not paying for extra power that you never actually need. Similarly, if you’re planning to go off-roading, the Cherokee has a slight edge over the Explorer. Although you can get traction-enhancing all-wheel-drive systems on both models, the higher clearance offered by the Cherokee is an advantage.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Interior

Both vehicles are comfortable and have excellent leg and headroom, but in terms of overall capacity, the Explorer has the edge. It provides 152.7 cubic feet of passenger volume compared with 144.6 cubic feet for the two-row Cherokee and 152 cubic feet for the Cherokee L. The Explorer seats seven passengers, whereas only six fit in the Grand Cherokee and only five in the two-row version. It’s also worth noting that this extra capacity makes the Explorer wider than the Cherokee, so it might be a little more difficult to maneuver, park, and squeeze in and out of tight spaces.

This means that if you’re looking for extra space and extra carrying capacity, the Explorer comes out on top. Even with cargo space, the Explorer is a larger vehicle. It offers a maximum of 87.8 cubic feet compared with 70.8 cubic feet for the Cherokee. However, it’s always worth considering whether or not the extra capacity is something you need. You don’t want to be carting around excess capacity that you’re not going to use.

In terms of infotainment and technology, the Cherokee gives you an 8.4-inch touch screen, but you can upgrade to a 10.1-inch model. In contrast, the Explorer offers an 8.0-inch touch screen, but you can again upgrade to 10.1 inches. Both offer the standard  Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and voice activation is standard. Overall, the technology matches, but the Cherokee has a more stylish and comfortable interior.

The Cherokee offers in-dash navigation that allows you to follow real-time traffic and weather updates, and there’s an optional digital gauge cluster. For most models, a six-speaker stereo is the norm, but you can ramp it up to a nine-speaker Alpine setup, or even a 19-speaker McIntosh array that gives you amazing audio fidelity. For most trims, the Explorer only goes up to a 12-speaker Bang and Olufsen system, which hands the win to the Cherokee in this area.

Highlights of the Cherokee include its parallel and perpendicular parking assist, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, and lane departure warning with lane-keep assist. Full-speed collision warning with active braking together with advanced brake assist all help you keep safe. The Explorer has much of the same but with some good tweaks, such as blind-spot monitoring system and a rearview camera to give you a little more parking space.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Pricing and Trims

There are a staggering eleven trims on the Jeep Grand Cherokee, with prices ranging from an MSRP of $42,830 to $78,870. The Limited model might be the one to go for in this range, with leather upholstery, a power-operated liftgate, some stylish interior ambient lighting, and automatic high-beam headlights. If you choose the Lux Tech Group II package, you’ll also get rain-sensing windshield wipers, ventilated front seats, and a power-adjustable steering column. There are too many options to list here, but the point is that you can’t go wrong with a Cherokee because of the range of options available.

The Explorer isn’t far behind with eight separate trims, ranging from an MSRP of $38,355 right up to $56,965. However, the base models have the small single-turbo four-cylinder engine, and it may be worth investing in the twin turbocharged V-6 for a reasonable amount of power. You can also go for all-wheel drive, and if you’re after off-roading capability, consider going for the Timberline. Overall, the Explorer might seem a more affordable option, but you probably get more exciting options by looking at the different trims of the Cherokee.

The Explorer or the Jeep Grand Cherokee?

At the end of the day, it’s really for you to decide which of these fits your needs. For us, the Cherokee really wins out in most of the areas. It has better overall performance,  more flexibility in its trims, and greater versatility. If you’d like to see more or check out any recent models, feel free to drop us a line at Chris Nikel of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and we’ll be only too happy to help.

 

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Tags: 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, Jeep, Jeep SUV
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