2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2026 Nissan Pathfinder
The Nissan Pathfinder wins clearly, 99.6 to 60.3, on tech & comfort, safety, space & cargo. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is ahead on performance.
2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee
The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid and gas large SUV with 9 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Grand Ch…
2026 Nissan Pathfinder
The 2026 Nissan Pathfinder is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Pathfinder 2WD, is EPA-rated …
2026 Nissan Pathfinder
Clear winThe Nissan Pathfinder wins clearly, 99.6 to 60.3, on tech & comfort, safety, space & cargo. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is ahead on performance.
| Category · weight | 2026 Nissan Pathfinderoverall 99.6 | 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokeeoverall 60.3 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 100 | 43.6 | |||||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | |||||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 100 | 79.5 | |||||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 96.9 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 100 | 3.8 | |||||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | |||||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Overall | 99.6 | 60.3 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 5 of 7 categories compared
Jeep Grand Cherokee: open park-outside / do-not-drive advisory (−25)
Nissan Pathfinder: base trim SV FWD · Jeep Grand Cherokee: base trim Laredo 2WD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder wins
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (15 against 59 filed with NHTSA).
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (26 points against 1 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It lists 29 standard driver-assist features against 9.
Where the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee answers
- It carries 138 hp per ton against 131.
- It makes 293 hp against 284.
What they share
- 5 NHTSA stars.
- The same EPA fuel cost ($2,900 a year).
- 23 combined.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
54 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Nissan PathfinderSV FWD | Jeep Grand CherokeeLaredo 2WD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $39,990 | — |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | naturally aspirated | naturally aspirated |
| Cylinder count | 6 | 6 |
| Engine displacement | 3,498 cc | 3,604 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 3.5L DOHC 24-valve V6 VQ35DD | 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, 60-degree V-type, liquid-cooled |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | Sequential, multiport, electronic, returnless |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 24-Valve | DOHC |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 284 hp | 293 hp |
| Torque | 259 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 20 mpg | 19 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 23 mpg | 22 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 27 mpg | 26 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 4.34 | 3.45:1 |
| Transmission speeds | 9 | 8 |
| Transmission type | automatic | automatic |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 7.1 in | 8.4 in |
| Overall height | 70.9 in | 70.8 in |
| Overall length | 198 in | 194 in |
| Overall width | 77.9 in | 77.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 114 in | 117 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 80.5 cu-ft | 70.8 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 45 cu-ft | 37.7 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 3rd row | 16.6 cu-ft | — |
| Total interior volume | 165 cu-ft | 145 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 8 | 5 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 42.3 in | 39.9 in |
| Second-row headroom | 39.6 in | 39.4 in |
| Third-row headroom | 37.8 in | — |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 44.3 in | 41.3 in |
| Second-row legroom | 35.5 in | 38.2 in |
| Third-row legroom | 28 in | — |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 4,348 lbs | 4,238 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,348 lbs | 4,238 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 6,063 lbs | 6,050 lbs |
| Payload capacity | — | 1,280 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Independent strut | Multi-link independent front suspension, coil springs, gas-charged, twin-tube coilover shock absorbers, all-aluminum arms and knuckles |
| Rear suspension type | Multi-link independent | Multi-link rear suspension, coil spring, twin tube shocks, all-aluminum arms and knuckles |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Dual-pinion electric power steering | Electric rack-and-pinion |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 37.4 ft | 38 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 350 mm | 354 mm |
| Front brake type | Vented Disc | vented disc |
| Parking brake type | epb | Drum-in-hat |
| Rear brake diameter | 330 mm | 350 mm |
| Rear brake type | Vented Disc | vented disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 18 in | 17 in |
| Wheel material | alloy | Painted cast aluminum |
| Wheel width | — | 8 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 255/60R18 | 245/70R17 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 18.5 gal | 23 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | NissanConnect Services powered by SiriusXM | — |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 60.8 in | 59.2 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | 59.6 in | 58 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | 58.4 in | — |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
92 features · differences first, then sharedSafety33 differ · 36 listed
| Feature | Nissan PathfinderSV FWD | Jeep Grand CherokeeLaredo 2WD |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection | std | — |
| Intelligent Forward Collision Warning | std | — |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | std | — |
| Driver and front passenger seat side-impact supplemental air bags | std | — |
| Intelligent Lane Intervention | std | — |
| Lane Departure Warning | std | — |
| Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt sensors and occupant classification sensors | std | — |
| RearView Monitor | std | — |
| Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags with rollover sensor for outboard occupant head protection for all three rows | std | — |
| Second row side-impact supplemental air bags | std | — |
| Trailer Sway Control | std | — |
| Active Driving Assist (hands-free, optional) | — | opt |
| Active Lane Management | — | std |
| Automatic Emergency Braking | — | std |
| Blind Spot Warning | std | — |
| Blind-spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path detection | — | std |
| Brake Assist | — | std |
| Driver and front passenger knee supplemental air bags | std | — |
| Front sonar system | std | — |
| Hill Start Assist/Hill Hold Control | std | — |
| Intelligent Blind Spot Intervention | std | — |
| Intelligent Cruise Control | std | — |
| Intelligent Driver Alertness | std | — |
| Junction Assist | std | — |
| Parking Brake Type: Drum-in-hat | — | std |
| ProPILOT Assist | std | — |
| Rear Automatic Braking | std | — |
| Rear Door Alert | std | — |
| Rear Park Assist | — | std |
| Rear sonar system | std | — |
| Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags with rollover sensor | std | — |
| Immobilizer | std | — |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System with Easy-Fill Tire Alert | std | — |
| All-speed Traction Control | std | std |
| Electronic Stability Control | std | std |
| Four-wheel Antilock Brakes | std | std |
Infotainment10 differ · 10 listed
| Feature | Nissan PathfinderSV FWD | Jeep Grand CherokeeLaredo 2WD |
|---|---|---|
| NissanConnect Services powered by SiriusXM® with 5G Wi-Fi hotspot | std | — |
| 10.25-inch passenger infotainment display (optional, class-exclusive) | — | opt |
| 12.3-inch infotainment system | std | — |
| 2 first-row illuminated USB-C charge ports | std | — |
| 2 second-row illuminated USB-C charge ports | std | — |
| Fam Cam rear-facing camera (optional) | — | opt |
| NissanConnect Services powered by SiriusXM® with automatic collision notification, emergency call and stolen vehicle locator, customizable alerts, dealer service scheduling and maintenance alerts; 5G Wi-Fi hotspot | std | — |
| Paddle shifters | std | — |
| SiriusXM® satellite radio with advanced audio features | std | — |
| Wireless smartphone charging pad | opt | — |
Convenience3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Nissan PathfinderSV FWD | Jeep Grand CherokeeLaredo 2WD |
|---|---|---|
| Remote engine start | std | — |
| Nissan Intelligent Key® with programmable settings | std | — |
| Power liftgate | std | — |
Climate1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Nissan PathfinderSV FWD | Jeep Grand CherokeeLaredo 2WD |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control | std | — |
Seating7 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Nissan PathfinderSV FWD | Jeep Grand CherokeeLaredo 2WD |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's seat 8-way power with 2-way lumbar | std | — |
| Heated seats | std | — |
| 8-way power with 2-way lumbar (driver's seat) | std | — |
| Cloth seating | std | — |
| Nissan EZ Flex® Seating System featuring LATCH AND GLIDE® tip-up third-row access technology | std | — |
| Passenger seat 6-way manual | std | — |
| 3-passenger, 60/40 split bench, center armrest with cupholders, flat folding | std | — |
Interior8 differ · 8 listed
| Feature | Nissan PathfinderSV FWD | Jeep Grand CherokeeLaredo 2WD |
|---|---|---|
| Heated steering wheel | opt | — |
| 7-inch Advanced Drive-Assist® Display | std | — |
| Fine Vision electroluminescent meter display | std | — |
| Piano Black interior trim | std | — |
| Manual day/night interior rearview mirror | std | — |
| Manual tilt/telescoping steering | std | — |
| Sun visors with extender and vanity mirror, illuminated | std | — |
| Seatback pockets – front driver and passenger seats | std | — |
Exterior18 differ · 18 listed
| Feature | Nissan PathfinderSV FWD | Jeep Grand CherokeeLaredo 2WD |
|---|---|---|
| Sunroof | opt | — |
| LED headlights (low and high beam) | std | — |
| 17-inch Painted cast aluminum wheels in Fine Silver (Laredo) | — | std |
| 18-inch painted aluminum-alloy wheels | std | — |
| 18-inch wheels (new, standard on base Laredo) | — | std |
| Black grille with gray accents | std | — |
| Body-colored bumpers | std | — |
| Heated outside mirrors | std | — |
| LED daytime running lights | std | — |
| Outside mirrors – manual folding | std | — |
| Premium Paint | opt | — |
| Semi-gloss satin badging | std | — |
| Seven-slot grille (updated design) | — | std |
| Auto on/off headlights (ambient light sensitive, linked to front wipers) | std | — |
| Privacy glass – rear door windows, rear quarter window fixed, liftgate window | std | — |
| Window defogger – liftgate glass | std | — |
| Splash Guards, Black, 4-piece | opt | — |
| Temporary spare tire (under body) – T165/90D18 | std | — |
Powertrain6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Nissan PathfinderSV FWD | Jeep Grand CherokeeLaredo 2WD |
|---|---|---|
| 3.6-Liter Pentastar V-6 Engine (293 hp @ 6,400 rpm, 260 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm) | — | std |
| 5-position Drive Mode Selector (2WD) | std | — |
| Electronic Limited Slip Differential (rear axle, optional) | — | opt |
| Idle stop/start system | std | — |
| TorqueFlite 8HP70 8-Speed Automatic Transmission | — | std |
| Transmission oil cooler (for towing) | opt | — |
Cargo3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Nissan PathfinderSV FWD | Jeep Grand CherokeeLaredo 2WD |
|---|---|---|
| Tow hitch – Class III | opt | — |
| 54.1-liter luggage box storage compartment with hinged lid under cargo floor, cargo area light | std | — |
| Trailer Towing: Max 6,200 lbs (2WD/4WD, axle ratio 3.45) | — | std |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPNissan Pathfinder
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Top recalls
- critical Electrical System 25V741000 · 320,068 vehicles
- high Air Bags 26V328000 · 419,035 vehicles
- high Electrical System 25V576000 · 91,787 vehicles
- moderate Tires 26V559000 · 201,975 vehicles
- moderate Visibility 26V529000 · 81 vehicles
- minor Back Over Prevention 26V531000 · 844,028 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Nissan PathfinderSV FWD | Jeep Grand CherokeeLaredo 2WD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $39,990 (base trim) | — (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $39,990 – $51,790 7 trims | — 11 trims |
| Powertrains | GAS | PHEV, GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Pathfinder 2WD | Grand Cherokee 4xe |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 23 | 23 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,900 | $2,900 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | — | — |
| Powertrain warranty | — | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder or the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The Nissan Pathfinder wins clearly, 99.6 to 60.3, on tech & comfort, safety, space & cargo. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is ahead on performance. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder scores 99.6 and the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee 60.3. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder or the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
2026 Nissan Pathfinder: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 0 recalls. 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 5 NHTSA stars, grade D, 6 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder and the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Where the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder wins: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (15 against 59 filed with NHTSA), lists more comfort and tech equipment (26 points against 1 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), and lists 29 standard driver-assist features against 9. Where the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee answers: it carries 138 hp per ton against 131 and makes 293 hp against 284. What they share: 5 NHTSA stars, the same EPA fuel cost ($2,900 a year), and 23 combined.