Compare 2021 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

2021 Ford Explorer
#4 in Large SUVs
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
#6 in Mid-Size SUVs
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Base 4WD
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Explorer Base 4WD 20 27 $33,878 $34,925
Explorer Base RWD 21 28 $31,938 $32,925
Explorer King Ranch 4WD 18 24 $52,416 $54,600
Explorer King Ranch RWD 18 24 $50,496 $52,600
Explorer Limited 4WD 20 27 $45,365 $47,255
Explorer Limited RWD 21 28 $43,445 $45,255
Explorer Platinum 4WD 23 26 $51,202 $53,335
Explorer Platinum RWD 18 24 $50,621 $52,730
Explorer ST 4WD 18 24 $47,040 $49,000
Explorer Timberline 4WD 19 23 $44,174 $46,015
Explorer XLT 4WD 20 27 $35,592 $37,075
Explorer XLT RWD 21 28 $33,672 $35,075
Select style
80th Anniversary 4x2
Style MPG City MPG Hwy Invoice MSRP
Grand Cherokee 80th Anniversary 4x2 19 26 $39,693 $41,150
Grand Cherokee 80th Anniversary 4x4 18 25 $41,668 $43,150
Grand Cherokee Freedom 4x2 19 26 $32,938 $33,275
Grand Cherokee Freedom 4x4 18 25 $35,239 $35,575
Grand Cherokee High Altitude 4x2 19 26 $45,871 $47,725
Grand Cherokee High Altitude 4x4 18 25 $48,786 $50,725
Grand Cherokee Laredo E 4x2 19 26 $32,938 $33,275
Grand Cherokee Laredo E 4x4 18 25 $35,239 $35,575
Grand Cherokee Laredo X 4x2 19 26 $32,938 $33,275
Grand Cherokee Laredo X 4x4 18 25 $35,239 $35,575
Grand Cherokee Limited 4x2 19 26 $39,693 $41,150
Grand Cherokee Limited 4x4 18 25 $41,668 $43,150
Grand Cherokee Limited X 4x2 19 26 $39,693 $41,150
Grand Cherokee Limited X 4x4 18 25 $41,668 $43,150
Grand Cherokee Overland 4x2 19 26 $45,871 $47,725
Grand Cherokee Overland 4x4 18 25 $48,786 $50,725
Grand Cherokee SRT 4x4 13 19 $67,640 $70,290
Grand Cherokee Summit 4x2 19 26 $51,525 $53,740
Grand Cherokee Summit 4x4 18 25 $54,440 $56,740
Grand Cherokee Trackhawk 4x4 11 17 $84,938 $88,890
Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4x4 18 25 $44,676 $46,350
Pricing
Invoice Price
$33,878
$39,693
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price
$34,925
$41,150
Monthly Payment Estimate
$582 / month
$686 / month
The Car Connection's Take
TCC Rating
7.0
6.7
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 L performs on road and off, has lots of space, and competes with luxury brands in its top models.
TCC Likes
TCC Dislikes
Fuel Economy
City
20 mpg 19 mpg
Highway
27 mpg 26 mpg
Vehicle
EPA Classification
Standard SUV 4WD Standard SUV 2WD
Interior Dimensions
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 58
Front Leg Room (in)
43 40.3
Third Head Room (in)
38.9 -
Passenger Capacity
7 5
Front Hip Room (in)
59.2 57
Third Shoulder Room (in)
54.6 -
Second Leg Room (in)
39 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
Exterior Dimensions
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
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
Cargo Area Dimensions
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 -
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)
59 -
Brakes
Brake ABS System
4-Wheel 4-Wheel
Disc - Rear (Yes or )
Yes Yes
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
12.6 13
Brake Type
4-Wheel Disc 4-Wheel Disc
Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)
NA NA
Disc - Front (Yes or )
Yes Yes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)
13.6 13.8
Drum - Rear (Yes or )
NA NA
Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)
17.9 24.6
Steering
Steering Type
Rack-Pinion Rack-Pinion
Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)
- 37.1
Tires
Rear Tire Size
P255/65HR18 P265/50TR20
Rear Tire Order Code
NA TKY
Front Tire Size
P255/65HR18 P265/50TR20
Spare Tire Size
Compact Compact
Front Tire Order Code
NA TKY
Spare Tire Order Code
NA NA
Trailering
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
5000 3500
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)
5300 3500
Maximum Trailering Capacity (lbs)
5300 3500
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
500 350
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)
530 350
Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)
4345 4576
Wheels
Front Wheel Material
Aluminum Aluminum
Spare Wheel Material
Steel Steel
Front Wheel Size (in)
18 X 7.5 20 X 8
Spare Wheel Size (in)
Compact Compact
Rear Wheel Material
Aluminum Aluminum
Rear Wheel Size (in)
18 X 7.5 20 X 8
Engine
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
Engine Type
Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 Regular Unleaded V-6
Fuel System
Gasoline Direct Injection Sequential MPI
Mileage
Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)
23 21
EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)
27 26
EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)
20 19
Transmission
Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)
3.58 3.27
Third Gear Ratio (:1)
2.15 2.11
Trans Type
10 8
Drivetrain
Four Wheel Drive Rear Wheel Drive
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)
1.52 1.28
Trans Description Cont. Again
NA NA
Reverse Ratio (:1)
4.88 3.29
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 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 4.71
Summary
Vehicle Name
Ford Explorer Jeep Grand Cherokee
Body Style
Sport Utility Sport Utility
Suspension
Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)
Multi-Link Multi-Link
Suspension Type - Front
Strut Short And Long Arm
Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)
Strut Short And Long Arm
Suspension Type - Rear
Multi-Link Multi-Link
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
Next Steps: Get Free Price Quotes!
2021 Ford Explorer
  • 2021 Explorer selection holding up
  • Lease: No specials this month
  • Rebates: Up to $1,000 off
  • Finance: From 0% for 36 months
Get Your Price
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  • 2021 Grand Cherokee L arriving; best deals on 2-row
  • Lease: From $249 for 36 months
  • Rebates: Up to $4,000 off MSRP
  • Finance: From 0% APR for 48 months + up to $3,250 bonus
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