2021 Ford Explorer vs Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2021 Ford Explorer is a midsize three-row SUV with seating for seven or six, with optional second-row captain’s chairs. The front seats are spacious and comfortable, though there is less room in the rear seats. Cargo space gives you 18.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 47.9 cubic feet with the third row folded down and up to 87.8 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded down. Cloth upholstery and power-adjustable front seats are standard and leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, front sport seats, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, power-folding third-row seats and massaging front seats are available. A power liftgate comes standard; an available hands-free liftgate and a cargo management system that adds under-floor storage and a reversible cargo floor is an option. The Explorer is available in base, XLT, Limited, ST, and Platinum trim levels. The base Explorer has a starting price of $33,000 and ranges to a starting price of $59,000 for the Platinum.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a two-row SUV that features an upscale interior with comfortable, supportive seating in both rows. It seats five people, with ample head- and legroom up front, even for taller occupants. The Cherokee has 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind its rear seats and 68.3 cubic feet with the seats folded down. Cloth upholstery is standard; synthetic leather upholstery, genuine leather upholstery, heated front and rear seats, ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel are available. Trims have grown to ten, with a new 80th Anniversary and Laredo X trim. Other trims include Laredo E, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, High Altitude, Summit SRT, and Trackhawk. Pricing starts at $34,200 for the Laredo E trim and ranges to a starting price of $87,895 for the Trackhawk.

The Ford Explorer has an impressive list of safety and tech features, including a highly rated SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touch screen that quickly connects to your smartphone with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Six speakers, a satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot and four USB ports are also standard. Available features include a 10.1-inch touch screen with a portrait layout, a 12.3-inch customizable driver display, a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, a rear-seat entertainment system, and wireless device charging. For added assistance, the Explorer comes with Ford Co-Pilot360 technology and driver-assist features to add ease and safety to your driving. Standard safety features include blind spot monitoring, rearview camera, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and auto high-beam headlamps.

The Jeep features a user-friendly Uconnect infotainment and comes with a standard 7-inch touch screen or an available 8.4-inch touch screen. Its layout displays simple menus, large icons and additional buttons, for easy operating while driving. A six-speaker stereo, two USB ports, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and satellite radio are standard. Navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, HD Radio, a nine-speaker stereo are available. Safety features include a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Available advanced safety features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, hands-free park assist, and automatic high-beam headlights.

The Ford’s standard turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 hp comes with a smooth and sturdy 10-speed automatic transmission and a rear-wheel-drive platform. There are two available twin-turbocharged V6s that will put out 365 and 400 horsepower and are also paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel drive comes standard in the two highest trims, but you can add four-wheel drive to the other trims for added cost. The base engine is not short on power but the V6 options are quicker. Estimated fuel economy is 21/28 mpg in the city and on the highway with its base engine and 18/26 mpg city/highway with the twin-turbo V6 engines. When properly equipped, the Explorer can tow up to 5,600.

The Jeep comes standard with a 295-horsepower V6 engine or three available V8 engines. A 360 horsepower 5.7-liter V8 is optional in the Trailhawk, Overland, High Altitude and Summit trims. The SRT features a 475-horsepower 6.4-liter V8 and the Trackhawk packs a supercharged 707-horsepower V8. An eight-speed automatic transmission provides smooth and prompt gear changes. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and four-wheel drive is available. It’s Trailhawk comes standard with all-terrain tires, multiple skid plates, a two-speed transfer case, a limited-slip rear differential and Jeep’s Quadra-Lift air suspension, making it perform well off-road. These features are optional in other trims. The Jeep can tow up to 6,200 pounds when equipped with its V6 engine and Class IV tow package. V8 models can tow up to 7,200 pounds when properly equipped. Fuel economy is estimated at 19/26 mpg in the city/highway and 18/25 with four-wheel drive. Higher performance engines will give you 14/22 to 11/17 mpg.