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2025 Car Mileage with the Best Gas MileageHead-to-Head: Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Ford Explorer
Two of America’s mainstream upscale SUVs go head to head when we pit the Jeep Grand Cherokee against the Ford Explorer.
Which is the King of American SUVs?
The Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Ford Explorer stand out in a sea of SUVs and crossovers. Each one has seen recent improvements through the introduction of an all-new generation too. Today, we’re going to find out which one is worth your hard-earned cash as we compare specs, driving characteristics, interior comfort, trims, features, and more before handing down a verdict on which one you should buy.
Specs
Ford sells the 2023 Explorer with three different engines. At the bottom of the hierarchy is a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Above that, two trim levels are available with a 400 hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. Finally, the top trim comes with a hybrid 3.3-liter V6 that makes 318 hp and 322 lb-ft of torque.
Each of these engines uses the same 10 speed automatic and every Explorer save for the Timberline trim starts out with rear-wheel drive. AWD is a $2,000 option that’s available across the lineup.
According to the EPA’s fuel economy estimates, the Explorer 2.3-liter engine gets at best 21 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway. The 3.0-liter sees those figures drop to 18 and 26 respectively whereas the hybrid 3.3-liter engine is dramatically better. It’ll get up to 27 mpg in the city and on the highway.
At most, the Explorer can tow up to 5,600 pounds. Pricing ranges between $39,000 and $56,315.
On the other side of our head to head is the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee which also comes with three powertrain options. The base is a 3.6-liter V6 with 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Above that is a 5.7-liter V8 that makes 375 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque.
Finally, the plugin hybrid 4xe powertrain combines a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with two electric motors to produce 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. Similarly to the Ford, all of these engines send power to the wheels through a single transmission, this time an eight-speed unit.
Most Grand Cherokees come standard with rear wheel drive but Jeep also offers three different four-wheel drive systems to cater to whatever type of off-roading one might intend on doing.
The base Jeep Grand Cherokee engine will get up to 19 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway. The V8 drops down to 14 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway. Thankfully, the 4Xe version pops right back up with 56 MPGe and up to 25 miles of all-electric range.
The Grand Cherokee can tow up to 7,200 pounds when properly equipped. Expect to pay between $42,390 and $79,265 depending on options.
Driving and Performance
Ford manages to offer a wide spectrum of driving characteristics across its lineup. The majority of the lineup comes with a very straightforward chassis and suspension setup. It’s an average daily driver with decent ride control, limited body roll, and inconsequential feedback.
Overall, it’s much better than the front-wheel drive-biased system on the last generation Explorer. What we really like is the addition of two specific trim levels.
First, the Timberline features 8.7-inches of ground clearance along with better approach and departure angles and all-terrain tires. Is it going to keep up with a fully-equipped Grand Cherokee off-road? No. But it’s also never going to cost the $67,450 that the Trailhawk 4Xe does.
On top of that, Ford offers the Explorer ST with its 400 hp twin-turbo V6 and a sport-tuned suspension that feels great compared to the standard SUV. Can Jeep match that with any trim on the Grand Cherokee? Also no.
What the Grand Cherokee does offer is sincerely excellent off-road capability. When equipped with an available air suspension it features up to 11 inches of ground clearance. On the road, it feels heavier and quieter than the Explorer too. We don’t like the heft as it makes the Grand Cherokee dramatically less engaging to drive on the road, where the vast majority of people will use them exclusively.
At the same time, we appreciate the quiet cabin as it’s indicative of luxury which should be the standard at this kind of price point. In terms of steering and pedal feedback, the Grand Cherokee feels largely identical to the Explorer. If anything it’s a bit slower to respond unless you’re in the 4Xe which is very quick to engage.
Comfort and Interior
Every Explorer comes with a three-row configuration for up to seven passengers. Buyers can drop that figure to six with available second-row captain’s chairs though. The first two rows are spacious and comfortable. The third is noticeably cramped for adults. Overall we like the trim and fitment too. The Explorer offers up to 18 cubic feet of storage behind the third row.
The Jeep goes a different route and offers seating for up to five only. It feels nicer inside with slightly better switchgear and a faster infotainment system. We also appreciate that it has 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row seats. That’s a huge benefit for those that don’t need three rows.
Trims and Features
Ford sells eight different versions of the Explorer.
Base
This trim starts with 18-inch wheels, LED lighting, cloth upholstery, tri-zone automatic climate control, and an 8-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
XLT
This trim adds heated front seats, a 6.5-inch digital gauge cluster, heated side mirrors, and two more USB ports for the second-row seats.
ST-Line
This appearance package trim adds 20-inch wheels, chrome exhaust tips, darker exterior badging, a 12-speaker sound system, and a 360-degree camera system.
Limited
Luxury is the focus here as it adds leather upholstery, ventilation for the front seats, heating for the rear seats, and the available hybrid engine.
Timberline
This off-road focused trim gets a small suspension lift, better approach and departure angles, all-terrain tires, a limited slip differential, standard 4WD, and hill descent control.
ST
This actually fast Explorer gets the 400 hp V6 along with sport tuned suspension components, 21-inch wheels, red-painted brake calipers, and a 12.3-inch gauge cluster.
King Ranch
This trim also gets the powerful V6 but adds a hands-free liftgate, unique leather upholstery, exterior approach lighting, wood interior trim, and power-release second-row captain’s chairs.
Platinum
This top trim level gets 21-inch wheels, adaptive headlights, diamond-pattern leather upholstery, exclusive wood interior trim, and a satin aluminum grille.
Jeep offers no less than 12 trim levels on the Grand Cherokee.
Laredo
This trim gets 17-inch wheels, LED lighting, cloth upholstery, an 8.4-inch infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, six speakers, and dual-zone automatic climate control.
Altitude
20-inch wheels, a wireless charging pad, and leather upholstery are the big draws on this trim.
Limited
Here buyers get 18-inch wheels, integrated navigation, leather upholstery, heated rear seats, and a terrain-based drive mode system.
4xe
Consider this trim largely identical to the base Grand Cherokee but with the hybrid engine along with heated leather front seats and a 10.1-inch infotainment system.
Trailhawk
This off-road focused trim gets an electronic locking rear differential, an electronically disconnectable stabilizer bar, ventilated front seats, front tow hooks, and an adaptive air suspension.
Overland
This trim gets a panoramic sunroof, 20-inch wheels, a two-speed transfer case (4WD models), ambient cabin lighting, integrated navigation, and nine speakers.
Summit
The Summit trim adds active driving assist, a gloss black roof, quad-zone climate control, a surround-view camera system, and a front-seat massage system.
30th Anniversary 4xe
This trim combines the hybrid system with rain-sensing wipers, a power liftgate, and a surround-view camera.
Trailhawk 4xe
This trim combines the hybrid drivetrain with the off-road equipment from the Trailhawk trim.
Summit Reserve
Luxury is the big focus here as this trim gets a 19-speaker sound system, 21-inch wheels, Palermo leather upholstery, and a 10.25 passenger touchscreen.
Overland 4xe
Combine the Overland trim with the hybrid engine and you’ll get this trim.
Summit 4xe
Unsurprisingly, this trim combines the features of the Summit model, front massaging seats, a gloss black roof, and more with the hybrid engine.
Summit Reserve 4xe
Finally, this trim combines all of the best of the Summit Reserve, the 21-inch wheels, leather upholstery, and more with the hybrid 4Xe engine.
The Verdict
The Ford Explorer wins this competition for a few reasons.
Firstly, it’s better on the road where, again, the vast majority of people will use both of these vehicles.
Secondly, it offers a sporty athletic version where Jeep doesn’t.
Thirdly, the Explorer in its top form comes with an outstanding package of safety, technology, luxury, and still costs about $23,000 less than the top spec Grand Cherokee.
Sure, the Grand Cherokee is a great vehicle in its own way but against the Explorer it’s just not capable of offering as much value per dollar. At the same time, those considering a used Grand Cherokee should read this comparison before they pull the trigger.
