The Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Jeep Cherokee may sound similar, but they are two very different vehicles. They each have different capabilities, and when you get down to the details, they are designed for different types of drivers.
Let’s Start with the Size
The most obvious difference between the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Jeep Cherokee is the size. The Cherokee is a small SUV, and the Grand Cherokee fits into the midsize market.
Given their names, this is probably not a surprise. Both come with two rows of seats and room for five, but the Grand Cherokee has some extra space to stretch out, and the cargo area is larger. You’ll get 70.8 cubic feet of storage as opposed to the 54.7 cubic feet in the Cherokee.
It’s A Power Thing
Since the Jeep Grand Cherokee is larger, it’s also not a surprise that you’ll find stronger engines under the hood, and there are more engines to choose from. The lineup starts with a 3.6-liter V-6 with 293 horsepower, but you can get a plug-in hybrid powertrain or a 5.7-liter V-8 with 357 horsepower. The Cherokee has either a 2.4-liter four-cylinder gas engine with 180 horsepower, or if you have the Trailhawk model, you’ll get a more powerful four-cylinder with 270 horsepower.
The Cherokee’s smaller size and four-cylinder engine make it perfect for urban driving. It will easily zip around city streets and slip into small spaces. The Grand Cherokee is better suited for your next backroad adventure or when you need an upscale ride to impress.
Safety for Everyone
You’ll find a generous list of safety technology whether you go with the Grand Cherokee or the Cherokee. Each one has a blind-spot monitoring system, forward collision warning, automatic braking, and lane-keep assist. Highway driving is made less stressful with the adaptive cruise control system that comes with both models.
If you like the idea of more standard features, the Grand Cherokee also has rear parking sensors, and you can get a 360-degree surround-view camera system.
Head Off the Road
There’s no reason to stick only to the road whether you have either of these Jeep models. Both offer a Trailhawk trim with off-road extras and capabilities. The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk has all-terrain Goodyear Wrangle Territory tires, front tow hooks, hill ascent and descent control, and an adaptive air suspension.
The Trailhawk version of the Cherokee has some different upgrades. It comes with an upgraded off-road suspension, skid plates, and it has all-terrain tires. Both models also add an upgraded version of the four-wheel drive system.
Before making your next SUV selection take a look at both the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Cherokee to see which one fits your lifestyle better. If you’re looking for the ultimate in luxury, then you’ll probably lean toward the Grand Cherokee, but you can still get an upscale feel in the Cherokee if you have one of the higher trims and add some of the available options.
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