Jeep has always been associated with superior off-road capability, and its SUVs have been popular for decades. This is owing to ride quality improvements and extensive feature lists on both classics: the Grand Cherokee and Cherokee. However, there are distinctions between them.

Cherokee vs. Grand Cherokee

Of the two, the Grand Cherokee is a bigger midsize SUV and usually comes with more powerful engines. The Grand Cherokee’s standard engine is a 3.6l V6 with 295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque that can be upgraded to three different V8 variants. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is the top of the line, with a 707-horsepower turbo V8 engine. A 3.0l turbodiesel engine is also available for the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

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The standard engine is a 2.4l four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque, and two upgrades are available. One is a 3.2l V6 with 271 horsepower and 239 lb-ft of torque, while the 2019 engine is a 2.0l turbo with 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This new turbo engine has proven to be highly popular in the Jeep Cherokee since it equals the power of the V6 while improving torque and consuming less gasoline. On the other hand, the Jeep Cherokee is a compact crossover meant to combine the economy of a smaller vehicle with much of the usefulness of bigger SUVs.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee, being the bigger of the two, has more cargo room to deal with. Like the Cherokee, the rear seats can be folded down to increase cargo space to 68.3 cubic feet.

In terms of cost, the Jeep Cherokee starts at $26,555, while the Jeep Grand Cherokee starts at $34,000.
To summarize, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has more power and capability, making it an excellent choice for exploring the great outdoors. On the other hand, the Jeep Cherokee has greater flexibility and is more agile, making it ideal for city driving.

Comparison Chart