At first glance, the differences you’ll see in the Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee models start with the size of the two vehicles.
Both are capable off-roaders, offer rugged appearances, and give you excellent driving capabilities in their respective classes. The Grand Cherokee is a midsize crossover SUV, while the Cherokee sits in the compact crossover SUV class.
This alone gives you the starting point for talking about the differences between the two. Thankfully, if you’re shopping for these two SUVs, you’re going to have a Jeep and enjoy the capabilities that come with this brand name.
What Are the Cargo Are Measurements?
You know these two Jeep SUVs sit in different classes, which should immediately give you the idea that one is going to be larger than the other.
Because the Grand Cherokee isn’t trying to offer you three rows of seats (except in the new Grand Cherokee L), you’ll have a large cargo area behind the rear seats.
For the Grand Cherokee, this area measures 36.3 cubic feet with the seats up, while the Cherokee offers you 25.8 cubic feet of space when the seas are in the upright position.
Which Jeep Offers Better Seating Comfort
If comfort in the seat is translated into space for your body, the Jeep Cherokee falls short of the Grand Cherokee once again.
This shouldn’t come as any surprise. The Cherokee offers comfy, sturdy, roomy seating, but the Grand Cherokee simly has more space for five people to stretch out and sit comfortably during a drive.
The Grand Cherokee also offers more trim levels to give you the upscale seating you want with items that include power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and leather upholstery.
As expected, the Grand Cherokee is more comfortable for your driving experience.
Which SUV has Better Interior Quality?
Both of these Jeep SUVs at the base levels give you quality features and a feeling of style in the Cabin.
The Grand Cherokee does offer a variety of trims that can bring you to a nearly luxury level of driving on the road.
There are a few different trims in the Cherokee to give you higher levels of quality, but the Cherokee never quite reaches the same level as the Grand Cherokee.
If you’re ready to reach up near-luxury levels of driving in a Jeep, the Grand Cherokee has what you’re looking for.
What’s the Price Comparison?
If you’re getting confused by the comparison of these two SUVs, knowing the Grand Cherokee will have more of just about everything when compared to the Jeep Cherokee, the idea is simply for you to see some differences.
Price is certainly a major difference for these two SUVs.
The Cherokee starts at $25,840 and can reach as high as $38,495 for the top model.
If you turn to the Grand Cherokee, the starting price is $32,150, and the top model can be had at $87,400, which is a significant difference when you’re looking at how much you should spend on the vehicle you drive.
What Features Will You Find in the Cabin?
This is one area where there are some similarities. Both models offer the benefits of a seven-inch touchscreen with the Uconnect infotainment system. You’ll have Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with either of these two Jeep SUVs.
Once you get past the base model of the Grand Cherokee, you’ll have an 8.4-inch screen, a navigation system, and four USB ports. This SUV can also be had with a rear-seat entertainment system and a 19-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system.
The Cherokee can be upgraded with a panoramic sunroof, an 8.4-inch touchscreen, a navigation system, satellite radio, two USB ports, and a nine-speaker audio system.
Engine Options Offered by Jeep
When you’re looking at these two SUVs, you’re going to see engine options that are expected.
The Grand Cherokee gives you four different engines. Each of these engines is made for excellent performance, with the base model being the venerable Pentastar V6 and the top engine, the Hellcat V8, that pushes out 707 horsepower.
The Jeep Cherokee is offered with three engines that you could use for the drive.
The naturally aspirated four-cylinder model makes 180 horsepower. A turbocharged four-cylinder engine gives you 270 horsepower, while the V6 gives you 271 horsepower for your drive.
Smaller Engines Translate to Better Fuel Mileage
As expected, this is one area where the Cherokee is able to give you more than the Grand Cherokee. Like the value, the Jeep Cherokee offers better overall fuel mileage with 22 city/31 hwy mpg with the base engine.
The other two can reach 23 city/31 hwy mpg for the turbo-four and 20 city/29 hwy mpg for the V6.
The Grand Cherokee offers 19 city/26 hwy mpg for the base powertrain and much less as you move to higher and more powerful engines for the drive.
The Best Off-Roaders in Their Class
With the Jeep name on these two SUVs, you should expect to find excellent off-road capabilities offered.
Both will certainly make you proud to take them out on the trails for some fun.
The Cherokee is easily the best model in the compact SUV class, and the Grand Cherokee outperforms all other midsize crossovers for trail-riding adventures.
When compared to each other, the Grand Cherokee shines and is the one you’ll want.
This SUV can be had with a variety of amazing features that improve the off-road performance that you need when heading out on the trails.
Which SUV Handles Better on the Road?
The compact size and impressive steering system of the Jeep Cherokee make it perfect for your daily commute and errands you need to complete every week.
If you’re looking for an SUV that fits into an on-road lifestyle, the Cherokee is right for you.
That doesn’t mean the Grand Cherokee is any slouch when it comes to the handling you’ll find during your drive.
This Jeep is comfortable on the road and might feel more confident and comfortable with the air suspension system than the smaller sibling.
Which Jeep SUV is going to be the one you take home today?
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