2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. 2021 Ford Explorer
Overview
Are you looking for a vehicle that's equally at home off-road and on? Something that can hold the whole family and is a lot of fun to drive at the same time? The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the 2021 Ford Explorer are likely two you're considering.
Exterior (Overall Design)
Both of these are good-looking vehicles, but for our money, it's the Jeep Cherokee for the win. The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee has an effortless style with smooth lines and curves. Somehow it manages to look both assertive and beautiful at the same time, which is one reason you feel at home driving it in town and on the back roads.
Meanwhile, the Ford has a more classic SUV look. There's nothing wrong with it, but it looks more like something you drive to take the kids to school than something you might take on an adventure.
Interior Features
The interior of both these vehicles features cloth seats on the base models. In higher trims, you can get leather seats. Both also have options for heated and ventilated seats in the front and heated seats in the second row. However, that's where the similarities end.
While both of these SUVs have roomy first rows, no one but kids will be comfortable in the second or third rows of the Ford, and even then, not for long trips. The Jeep has supportive and cushioned seats throughout, with plenty of room for legs and heads. You'll also notice that Jeep has done more to keep their interior design classy and up-to-date.
Engines
The Ford offers a 300-horsepower, turbocharged, 4-cylinder engine. Choose from two twin-turbocharged V6 upgrade options that produce 365hp or 400hp. That's nothing to sneeze at, but you'll notice the better performance from the Cherokee.
At the Trailhawk trim, you get a 707-horsepower, supercharged V8. There's nothing this monster can't do! Even the lower trims are powerful performers, though. All the trims have V8 engines offering either 380hp or 475hp. The Cherokee is also by far the superior tower, with the capability to haul as much as 7,200 pounds properly equipped. The best you'll get from the Ford is 5,600 pounds.
Safety Features
Both of these are safe vehicles. The Ford has a five out of five star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with four out of five stars for rollovers. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety called it a Top Safety Pick +.
You and your family are safe in the Cherokee, too, which has a five out of five star rating from the NHTSA. Meanwhile, the IIHS gives the Cherokee Good ratings all over, and you'll get lots of choices of available safety tech, like:
- Pedestrian detection
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane-keeping assist
- Automatic emergency braking
- Traction control
- Electronic stability
- Parking sensors
- Side impact beams
You'll also be protected by passenger and driver impact airbags, overhead airbags, and rear child safety locks. You'll feel safe, too, with 60 months or 60,000 miles of roadside assistance.