2021 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

2021 Ford Explorer

#4 in Large SUVs

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

#5 in Mid-Size SUVs

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Base 4WD

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Explorer Base 4WD	20	27	$33,198	$34,225
Explorer Base RWD	21	28	$31,258	$32,225
Explorer Limited 4WD	20	27	$45,125	$47,005
Explorer Limited RWD	21	28	$43,205	$45,005
Explorer Platinum 4WD	18	24	$52,301	$54,480
Explorer ST 4WD	18	24	$50,501	$52,605
Explorer XLT 4WD	20	27	$34,560	$36,000
Explorer XLT RWD	21	28	$32,640	$34,000

Select style

80th Anniversary 4x2

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Grand Cherokee 80th Anniversary 4x2	19	26	$38,963	$40,375
Grand Cherokee 80th Anniversary 4x4	18	25	$40,938	$42,375
Grand Cherokee High Altitude 4x2	19	26	$45,109	$46,915
Grand Cherokee High Altitude 4x4	18	25	$48,024	$49,915
Grand Cherokee Laredo E 4x2	19	26	$32,236	$32,545
Grand Cherokee Laredo E 4x4	18	25	$34,538	$34,845
Grand Cherokee Laredo X 4x2	19	26	$32,236	$32,545
Grand Cherokee Laredo X 4x4	18	25	$34,538	$34,845
Grand Cherokee Limited 4x2	19	26	$38,963	$40,375
Grand Cherokee Limited 4x4	18	25	$40,938	$42,375
Grand Cherokee Limited X 4x2	19	26	$38,963	$40,375
Grand Cherokee Limited X 4x4	18	25	$40,938	$42,375
Grand Cherokee Overland 4x2	19	26	$45,109	$46,915
Grand Cherokee Overland 4x4	18	25	$48,024	$49,915
Grand Cherokee SRT 4x4	13	19	$66,780	$69,365
Grand Cherokee Summit 4x2	19	26	$50,749	$52,915
Grand Cherokee Summit 4x4	18	25	$53,664	$55,915
Grand Cherokee Trackhawk 4x4	11	17	$83,990	$87,870
Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4x4	18	25	$43,946	$45,575

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$33,198

$38,963

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$34,225

$40,375

Monthly Payment Estimate

$570 / month

$673 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.8

Read Our Full Review

6.7

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2021 Ford Explorer is recognizable, but new. It should be on every family SUV shopper’s list.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee is an icon for its capability and customization.

TCC Likes

Wide range of powertrains
Good looks
Great active safety tech

Great powertrains
Iconic looks
Superlative comfort

TCC Dislikes

Hybrid isn’t refined
Not a great value
Cramped third row

Expensive in top trims
Thirsty V-8 engines
No hybrids

Fuel Economy

City

20 mpg

19 mpg

Highway

27 mpg

26 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Standard SUV 4WD

Standard SUV 2WD

Interior Dimensions

Third Shoulder Room (in)

54.6

Second Leg Room (in)

38.6

Front Head Room (in)

40.7

39.9

Second Hip Room (in)

59.1

56.2

Front Shoulder Room (in)

61.8

58.7

Third Leg Room (in)

32.2

Passenger Volume (ft³)

152.7

105.4

Second Head Room (in)

40.5

39.2

Third Hip Room (in)

40.9

Second Shoulder Room (in)

61.9

Front Leg Room (in)

40.3

Third Head Room (in)

38.9

Passenger Capacity

Front Hip Room (in)

59.2

Exterior Dimensions

Liftover Height (in)

32.8

32.4

Height, Overall (in)

70.2

69.3

Track Width, Rear (in)

66.9

64.1

Wheelbase (in)

119.1

114.8

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

78.9

76.5

Track Width, Front (in)

66.9

63.9

Min Ground Clearance (in)

8.2

8.6

Length, Overall (in)

198.8

189.8

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)

49.8

Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)

47.9

36.3

Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)

Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)

32.8

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)

83.9

Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)

87.8

68.3

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 3 (in)

20.8

Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)

18.2

36.3

Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)

48.1

Brakes

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

13.6

13.8

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.6

Brake Type

4-Wheel Disc

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

18.6

24.6

Steering

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

37.1

Tires

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

TKY

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P255/65HR18

P265/50TR20

Rear Tire Order Code

TKY

Front Tire Size

P255/65HR18

P265/50TR20

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

500

350

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

530

350

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

5000

3500

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

5300

3500

Maximum Trailering Capacity (lbs)

5300

3500

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

4345

4576

Wheels

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 X 7.5

20 X 8

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 X 7.5

20 X 8

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Engine

Engine Type

Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4

Regular Unleaded V-6

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

Sequential MPI

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

310 @ 3500

260 @ 4000

Engine Order Code

99H

ERC

Displacement

2.3 L/140

3.6 L/220

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

300 @ 5500

293 @ 6400

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.85

0.67

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

3.00

3.14

Trans Order Code

44T

DFT

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.77

1.67

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.27

1.00

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

0.84

First Gear Ratio (:1)

4.71

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.58

3.27

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

2.15

2.11

Trans Type

Drivetrain

Four Wheel Drive

Rear Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.52

1.28

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

4.88

3.29

Summary

Body Style

Sport Utility

Vehicle Name

Ford Explorer

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Short And Long Arm

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Short And Long Arm

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

7.7

8.4

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

650

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

180

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

2021 Ford Explorer

2021 Explorer arriving; 2020s still available
Lease: From $279 for 36 months
Rebate: Up to $4,250 off
Finance: From 0% APR for 72 months

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2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

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