2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Ford Explorer

Features & Specs

2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee

2018 Ford Explorer

Keyless ignition

Standard

Available

Wheel type

Alloy

Painted alloy

Drivetrain

RWD

FWD

Horsepower

295

290

2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2018 Ford Explorer near Athens, GA

When it comes to finding a midsize SUV, the competition can be stiff, and the choices can seem impossible to choose from. This can especially be difficult with contenders like the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the 2018 Ford Explorer. The Grand Cherokee is powering into the 2018 model year with a brand new trim level, the 707-horsepower Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. This new trim is redefining what it means to be a powerful midsize SUV. The 2018 Ford Explorer doesn't bring many changes into 2018, instead opting for more subtle changes, like a few tweaks in the front and rear, and a revision of the feature availability. Already the Grand Cherokee is taking advantage of a new model year, and the Trackhawk is just the beginning.

2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Power & Handling

Power is where the Grand Cherokee really stands out from its competitors. There are a total of five different engine options that you can choose from for your vehicle. The 3.6-liter V6, which is the base option, produces 260 lb-ft of torque and 295 horsepower. You'll find this engine paired with either rear-wheel drive, or 4-wheel drive. The 5.7-liter V8 engine produces 390 lb-ft of torque and 360 horsepower and comes standard with 4-wheel drive. Two of the more powerful engine options includes the SRT's 6.4-liter V8, producing 470 lb-ft of torque, and the Trackhawk's supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that generates 645 lb-ft of torque. If these gasoline engines don't do it for you, then the 3.0-liter diesel V6 is perfect for you! This diesel engine can get up to 420 lb-ft of torque. Each of these engines work in tandem with an 8-speed automatic transmission. When it comes to towing, the Grand Cherokee can tow up to 7,400 pounds.

2018 Ford Explorer Power & Handling

Power doesn't seem to be as vital with the 2018 Explorer. There are only three engines available with this midsize SUV, and all of them are gasoline engines. The base engine is a 3.5-liter V6, which can produce 290 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque. You can find front-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive as options. The second engine option is a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-4 that generates 280 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. You can choose between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive for this engine. The final engine is a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V8, producing 365 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. All of these engines come standard with a six-speed automatic transmission.

2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Features & Design

Seven trim levels are offered with the Grand Cherokee. The base trim is filled with many standard features, including heated mirrors, a 7-inch touchscreen, 17-inch wheels, two USB ports, rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Even more features are offered with the Limited trim, including a power liftgate, 18-inch wheels, a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, heated front and rear seats, and driver-seat memory settings. The most luxurious trim, the Summit, includes noise-reducing window glass, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, lane departure warning, front parking sensors, and 20-inch wheels.

2018 Ford Explorer Features & Design

There are only five trim options offered with the 2018 Explorer. The first trim, called Base, offers very few features, including cloth upholstery, a rearview camera, and front seats that have to be manually adjusted. To obtain more features you'll have to move up to the Limited, which gives you a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, leather upholstery, and ventilated and heated front seats. The highest and most premium model is still lacking in features, and only adds premium leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, a premium audio system, and an automated parking system.

Conclusions

The Grand Cherokee and the Explorer are both highly competitive models that stand out in the midsize SUV segment. However, the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee is an SUV that combines power with options, and the 2018 Ford Explorer has a hard time keeping up. Needless to say, the Grand Cherokee is the clear winner, not just against the Explorer, but against all of the competitors in the midsize SUV segment. If you have any further questions about the Grand Cherokee, or are looking to buy one yourself, give us a call today!

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