Which SUV will better suit your new car needs the 2023 Ford Explorer or the Jeep Grand Cherokee? Keep in mind that both cars share many of the same features, but the Ford gives drivers more of what this year has to offer for less. Our comparison guide will help you decide if either of these cars is what you’re looking for.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Gas mileage will run about the same for both, according to estimates.
- Explorer offers more space whilst offering more seats.
- Better horsepower in the Explorer, and better torque across all power trains.
- More towing capacity with the Grand Cherokee.
MOST VISIBLE DIFFERENCE: 2023 FORD EXPLORER
The Ford Explorer is hands down the bigger car than the Grand Cherokee. For some, this may not translate well into their driving needs, such as searching for smaller parking spaces or the need for a smaller turn radius making overall handling easier. However, the drive of the Explorer still proves to be quite smooth when compared to the Cherokee, while it may not be as small – its larger space comes with a few great perks. First to note is the two extra seats the Explorer possesses across its trims, making that seven seats total.
Extra seats and larger exterior space in mind, the Ford also offers more cargo space per cubic feet than the Jeep. The Explorer offers drivers 87 cubic feet to the Grand Cherokee’s 70. It’s quite a difference for drivers who have more passengers (and all their gear) they need to carry, because the Explorer doesn’t sacrifice any room to make sure every passenger has plenty of head and leg room as well as space for their cargo.
HOW IS THE POWER & FUEL ON THE EXPLORER?
With both the Explorer and the Grand Cherokee you can expect a powerful four-wheel drive, built to haul heavy loads. Both SUVs are great for any light hitching and trailering job, making hauling gardening supplies, wood boards, or lawn equipment immensely easy. Or small toys like jet skies or a small boat for when the work is done.
The Explorer comes with three engines options:
- 300-hp, 2.3-liter, 4 Cylinder Engine
- 318-hp, 3.3-liter, V6 Cylinder Engine
- 400-hp, 3.0-liter, V6 Cylinder Engine
The standard engine of the Explorer is the more powerful one when compared to the Grand Cherokee. With a couple upgrades, the Explorer quickly turns into a beast of a hauling machine. Not so for the Grand Cherokee which comes with two powertrain options:
- 293-hp, 3.6-liter, V6 Cylinder Engine
- 357-hp, 5.7-liter, 8 Cylinder Engine
It's important to point out that while this mid-tier engine for the Grand Cherokee is technically the more powerful engine compared to the Explorer’s equivalent, the Explorer’s mid-tier is a gas/electric hybrid. None of the Grand Cherokee models offer this type of eco engine, and for nearly just as much horsepower, you’re going to earn a lot more per dollar with your gas money by upgrading the Explorer’s engine.
SAFETY & ENTERTAINMENT: 2023 FORD EXPLORER
The Explorer won an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award for its previous model. This award is the highest accolade that the IIHS can provide. The Grand Cherokee didn’t receive any accolades last year. It’s worth mentioning since most subsequent car models are awarded similarly, so we can expect that the Explorer will win another award this year at the very least.
Both cars offer brake assistance, blind spot monitoring and lane keeping assistance. The Explorer offers auto-leveling headlights while the Grand Cherokee offers cross-traffic alerts. The Explorer also comes with a few more entertainment perks than the Grand Cherokee, having Android Auto features and Apple Carplay in all trims, where it is not to be found in the Grand Cherokee. The Grand Cherokee, however, does excel with its Wi-Fi hotspot – a feature not available in the Explorer.
WHICH SUV IS THE BETTER DEAL?
Between the size and the engine alone, the Explorer starting price is around $36,000 compared to the Grand Cherokees $41,000. It is the cheaper of the two vehicles; your wallet won’t hurt as much for an Explorer, making it a better choice for buyers in 2023 with all of its added features.