Head-to-head
2027 Ford Explorer vs 2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Ford Explorer wins clearly, 97 to 87.3, on space & cargo, safety, performance.
B
2027 Ford Explorer
The 2027 Ford Explorer is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 8 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Explorer AWD, is EPA-rated at 23 …
vs
A2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee
The 2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee is sold in the U.S. as a gas large SUV with 8 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Grand Cherokee 2WD, is EPA-…
Verdict · default weights
2027 Ford Explorer
Clear winThe Ford Explorer wins clearly, 97 to 87.3, on space & cargo, safety, performance.
Space & cargo 2027 Ford Explorer leads by 28.6
Safety 2027 Ford Explorer leads by 8.9
Performance 2027 Ford Explorer leads by 6.9
| Category · weight | 2027 Jeep Grand Cherokeeoverall 87.3 | 2027 Ford Exploreroverall 97 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 82.9 | 91.8 | |||||||||
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 | 71.4 | 100 | |||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 93.1 | 100 | |||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||
| Tech & comfortnot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||
| Overall | 87.3 | 97 | |||||||||
Trim vs trim · 4 of 7 categories compared
Jeep Grand Cherokee: base trim Laredo 2WD · Ford Explorer: base trim Explorer Active RWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2027 Ford Explorer wins
- It lists 19 standard driver-assist features against 6.
- It seats 7 against 5.
- It turns out 310 lb-ft of torque against 260.
Where the 2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee answers
- It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 100 against 89).
What they share
- 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.
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Specifications side by side
54 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Jeep Grand CherokeeLaredo 2WD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | — | $38,465 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | naturally aspirated | twin turbo |
| Cylinder count | 6 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 3,604 cc | 2,300 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 60-degree V-type, liquid-cooled | 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 with Auto Start-Stop Technology |
| Fuel injection system | Sequential, multiport, electronic, returnless | gdi mpi |
| Valve configuration | DOHC | — |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 293 hp | 300 hp |
| Torque | 260 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 19 mpg | — |
| MPG (combined) | 22 mpg | — |
| MPG (highway) | 26 mpg | — |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.45:1 | 3.58 |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | 10 |
| Transmission type | automatic | automatic |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 8.4 in | 7.6 in |
| Overall height | 70.8 in | 69.6 in |
| Overall length | 194 in | 199 in |
| Overall width | 77.5 in | 78.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 117 in | 119 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 70.8 cu-ft | — |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 37.7 cu-ft | — |
| Cargo volume behind 3rd row | — | 16.3 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | 145 cu-ft | 150 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | 7 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 39.9 in | 40.7 in |
| Second-row headroom | 39.4 in | 40.5 in |
| Third-row headroom | — | 38.9 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 41.3 in | 43 in |
| Second-row legroom | 38.2 in | 37.5 in |
| Third-row legroom | — | 31.8 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 4,238 lbs | — |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,238 lbs | — |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 6,050 lbs | — |
| Payload capacity | 1,280 lbs | — |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Multi-link independent front suspension, coil springs, gas-charged, twintube coilover shock absorbers, all-aluminum arms and knuckles | — |
| Rear suspension type | Multi-link rear suspension, coil spring, twin tube shocks, all-aluminum arms and knuckles | — |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electric rack-and-pinion steering | — |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 38 ft | — |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 354 mm | — |
| Front brake type | vented disc | — |
| Parking brake type | Drum-in-hat | — |
| Rear brake diameter | 350 mm | — |
| Rear brake type | vented disc | — |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 17 in | 18 in |
| Wheel material | Painted cast aluminum | aluminum |
| Wheel width | 8 in | — |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 245/70R17 | P255/65R18 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 23 gal | — |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | — |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | — | FordPass Connect |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | — | 12 months |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 59.2 in | — |
| Second-row shoulder room | 58 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
95 features · differences first, then sharedSafety24 differ · 25 listed
| Feature | Jeep Grand CherokeeLaredo 2WD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| First Row Driver and Passenger Dual-Stage Front, Front Seat Side, and Front Knee Airbags | — | std |
| First Row Driver and Passenger Dual-Stage Front, Front Seat Side, and Front Knee Airbags | — | std |
| Lane Keeping System (includes Lane-Keeping Assist, Lane-Keeping Alert and Driver Alert) | — | std |
| Safety Canopy - Side-Curtain with Rollover Sensor Airbags | — | std |
| All-speed Traction Control | std | — |
| Auto Hold | — | std |
| Battery Saver | — | std |
| Brake Assist | std | — |
| Brakes: Electric boost, front 13.94 x 1.10 vented disc / rear 13.78 x 0.87 vented disc | std | — |
| First Row Driver and Passenger Dual-Stage Front, Front Seat Side, and Front Knee Airbags | — | std |
| Ford Co-Pilot360™ Assist+ (Active) | — | std |
| Ford Security Package (1-Year Included) | — | std |
| Four-wheel Antilock Brakes | std | — |
| Intelligent 4WD with 6 selectable Drive Modes and Hill Descent Control | — | opt |
| LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether Anchors for Children) | — | std |
| Parking Brake Type: Drum-in-hat | std | — |
| Perimeter Alarm | — | std |
| Power Door Locks - Auto Lock/Unlock and Child-Safety Rear | — | std |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | std |
| Rear View Camera with Backup Assist Grid Lines | — | std |
| SOS Post-Crash Alert System™ | — | std |
| Trailer Sway Control | — | std |
| Individual Tire Pressure Monitoring System (ITPMS) | — | std |
| SecuriLock® Passive Anti-Theft System | — | std |
| AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™ | std | std |
Infotainment11 differ · 11 listed
| Feature | Jeep Grand CherokeeLaredo 2WD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| FordPass Connect™ | — | std |
| AM/FM, MP3-Compatible with Six Speakers | — | std |
| Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Wireless Compatibility | — | std |
| Ford app | — | std |
| Ford Connectivity Package (1-Year Included) | — | std |
| Ford Digital Experience with 13.2" Center Display | — | std |
| Instrument Panel with 12.3" Cluster Display | — | std |
| SiriusXM® with 360L (3-Month Prepaid Subscription) | — | std |
| USB Ports, First Row – One (1) "A" and one (1) "C" in the Media Hub, two (2) "C" in center console | — | std |
| USB Ports, Second Row - Two (2) "C" | — | std |
| USB Ports, Third Row - Two (2) "C" | — | std |
Convenience6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Jeep Grand CherokeeLaredo 2WD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 4-Door Intelligent Access (Lock/Unlock) with Push-Button Start | — | std |
| Easy Fuel® Capless Fuel Filler | — | std |
| Power Liftgate | — | std |
| Remote Start System (optional) | — | opt |
| SecuriCode® Keyless Entry Keypad | — | opt |
| 12V Powerpoints, 3 total (1 first row, 1 second row and 1 cargo area) | — | std |
Climate3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Jeep Grand CherokeeLaredo 2WD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Tri-zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control | — | std |
| Cabin Particulate Air Filter | — | std |
| Rear Auxiliary Climate Control | — | opt |
Seating7 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Jeep Grand CherokeeLaredo 2WD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 10-way Power Driver seat | — | std |
| First-Row Heated Seats | — | std |
| 4-way Manual Passenger seat | — | std |
| Second-row 35/30/35 split-fold-flat Bench Seat | — | opt |
| Second-row Captain's Seats with E-Z Entry and Armrests | — | std |
| Third-row 50/50 split-fold Bench Seat, Manual | — | std |
| Unique Cloth Seats | — | std |
Interior8 differ · 8 listed
| Feature | Jeep Grand CherokeeLaredo 2WD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Heated Steering Wheel | — | opt |
| Active Noise cancellation | — | std |
| Door-Sill Scuff Plates, Front and Rear | — | std |
| First-row center floor console with armrest and storage bin | — | std |
| Grab Handles – Front-Passenger; Second Row – two (2), includes Coat Hooks | — | std |
| Manual Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column | — | std |
| Floor Mats - Black Carpet, Front and Second Rows | — | std |
| Overhead Console with Dome/Map Lights and Sunglasses Holder | — | std |
Exterior18 differ · 18 listed
| Feature | Jeep Grand CherokeeLaredo 2WD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 18" Sparkle Silver-Painted Aluminum wheels | — | std |
| 20" Carbonized Gray-painted Aluminum wheels | — | opt |
| 20" Luster Nickel-Painted Aluminum wheels | — | opt |
| Acoustic-Laminate Windows - Front-Row Side | — | std |
| Grille - Black Mesh Insert with Chrome Bars | — | std |
| Headlamps – LED Low & High Beams with Courtesy Delay, Autolamp (Automatic On/Off), Auto High-Beam | — | std |
| LED Fog Lamps | — | opt |
| LED Taillamps | — | std |
| Mirrors, Sideview – Power and Heated Glass | — | std |
| P255/65R18 All-Season BSW Tires | — | std |
| Panoramic Vista Roof® with Power Shade | — | opt |
| Roof-Rack Side Rails - Black | — | std |
| Skid Plate Elements, Front - Silver Painted | — | std |
| Tire Inflator and Sealant Kit | — | std |
| Tires: 245/70R17 Goodyear Fortera HL All-Season | std | — |
| Wheels: 17 x 8 Painted cast aluminum in Fine Silver | std | — |
| Privacy Glass - Second, Third Row and Liftgate | — | std |
| Body-Color Rear Spoiler | — | std |
Powertrain12 differ · 12 listed
| Feature | Jeep Grand CherokeeLaredo 2WD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 10-Speed Automatic Transmission | — | std |
| 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 Engine with Auto Start-Stop Technology | — | std |
| 3.58 Non-Limited-Slip Rear Axle | — | std |
| Engine: 3.6-Liter Pentastar V-6 (Standard) | std | — |
| EPA Fuel Economy 19/26/22 mpg (city/hwy/combined) — 2WD and 4WD (V-6) | std | — |
| Intelligent 4WD with 6 selectable Drive Modes and Hill Descent Control | — | opt |
| Rear Differential: Optional Electronic Limited Slip | opt | — |
| Rear-Wheel Drive with 6 selectable Drive Modes | — | std |
| Terrain Management System™ | — | std |
| Transfer Case: MP3015C — Single-speed electronically shifted, Full-time active 4WD | opt | — |
| Transfer Case: MP3028C — Two-speed electronically shifted, 4x4 Low (Lock), Neutral; full-time active 4x4 | opt | — |
| Transmission: TorqueFlite 8HP70 Automatic, Eight-Speed Overdrive (Standard) | std | — |
Chassis3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Jeep Grand CherokeeLaredo 2WD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Front Suspension: Multi-link independent, coil springs, gas-charged twintube coilover shock absorbers, all-aluminum arms and knuckles | std | — |
| Rear Suspension: Multi-link, coil spring, twin tube shocks (including load leveling for towing), all-aluminum arms and knuckles | std | — |
| Steering: Electric rack-and-pinion | std | — |
Cargo2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Jeep Grand CherokeeLaredo 2WD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Class III Trailer Tow Package | — | std |
| Max. Gross Trailer Weight: 6,200 lbs. — 2WD and 4WD | std | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
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Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPJeep Grand Cherokee
Safety Signal 100 A
NHTSA overall —
Frontal / side / rollover — / — / —
Recalls 0
Owner complaints —
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Ford Explorer
Safety Signal 89 B
NHTSA overall —
Frontal / side / rollover — / — / —
Recalls 2 · 1 filed unfixed
Owner complaints —
Top recalls
- moderate Seats 26V470000 · 76,748 vehicles · filed unfixed
- moderate Back Over Prevention 26V415000 · 66,383 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Jeep Grand CherokeeLaredo 2WD | Ford ExplorerExplorer Active RWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — (base trim) | $38,465 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | — 10 trims | $38,465 – $53,660 9 trims |
| Powertrains | GAS | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Grand Cherokee 2WD | Explorer RWD |
| 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 2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee or the 2027 Ford Explorer?
The Ford Explorer wins clearly, 97 to 87.3, on space & cargo, safety, performance. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2027 Ford Explorer scores 97 and the 2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee 87.3. 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 2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee or the 2027 Ford Explorer?
2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 0 recalls. 2027 Ford Explorer: no NHTSA rating yet, grade B, 2 recalls (1 filed with no repair available). 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 2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the 2027 Ford Explorer?
Where the 2027 Ford Explorer wins: it lists 19 standard driver-assist features against 6, seats 7 against 5, and turns out 310 lb-ft of torque against 260. Where the 2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee answers: it has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 100 against 89). What they share: the same EPA fuel cost ($2,900 a year) and 23 combined.