Starting at
Starting at
| 300 | Base Horsepower (HP) | 295 |
| 310 | Base Torque (lb-ft) | 260 |
| 27 / 29 | Max Fuel Economy (mpg) | 19 / 26 |
The market for mid-size SUVs has never been better. Every manufacturer out there is looking to produce the best vehicles they can for this category. The people want stylish and versatile vehicles that can fit the whole family and also function well on rugged trails. In a pinch, they’ll be able to tow along your equipment, yet they’re still extremely comfortable and convenient to drive. Basically, they have to do it all. Between the 2020 Ford Explorer vs 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which SUV is most impressive?
In this comparison, it comes down to seeing how these two popular vehicles will line up against each other when you’re looking at some of your most important factors. How much do they cost? What kind of performance numbers are we looking at? Can they tow, and how much? How many passengers can fit? What are the fuel economy numbers?
Of course, there are going to be some slight strengths and weaknesses for each SUV, but we’re just trying to get an overall picture. They both have competitive MSRPs starting well under $40,000, and their numbers for maximum horsepower, torque, and towing capacities are all respectable. Due to their features and high MSRPs ($68,395 and $86,900, respectively), the Grand Cherokee SRT and Trackhawl models will not be included in this comparison. This will effectively put them in a different bracket than the Explorer. For the regularly-priced trims, the 2020 Ford Explorer will come out on top in multiple categories, including fuel economy and seating capacity. To check one out today, come down and visit us at Kings Ford in Cincinnati, Ohio.
When looking at vehicles from different manufacturers, you can normally assume that the engine options will fall into one of two categories. First, there will be different engine options allowing you to customize your vehicle the way you’d like or, second, you will have one engine option and there’s no leeway in that matter. The 2020 Ford Explorer falls into the first category while the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee falls into the second.
Your standard engine on the Explorer XLT and Explorer Limited models will be a 2.3L EcoBoost I-4 Engine with up to 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Moving up to the ST and Platinum models, you’ll find a 3.0L EcoBoost V6 Engine. The Platinum version will have up to 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque while the ST variant will have up to 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The fine team at Ford Performance has had a hand in fine-tuning the ST trim to meet their high standards and expectations, which is why you can see that sizeable boost in engine performance.
As an added bonus, the Limited trim also has the option for a 3.3L Hybrid Engine with up to 318 hp and 322 lb-ft of torque. In this day and age, it’s important that vehicles have options like this to reduce gas emissions and also to save you some money when you’re filling up the tank. With this engine equipped, the Explorer has an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 27 MPG in the city and 29 MPG of the highway. Not too bad, considering this is a mid-size SUV and not a sedan.
As mentioned, there is only one engine option found across your regularly-priced Grand Cherokee trims, which is a 3.6L V6 engine with up to 295 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. It’s definitely an adequate engine that is only slightly underperforming compared to the Explorer’s standard engine on the XLT and Limited models. However, it is well under par when compared to the engines found on the ST and Platinum models. Also, there is no hybrid option.
One of the biggest reasons for owning an SUV is to have the interior space to fit everyone and everything into it when you’re ready to go off on an adventure. It’s the versatility that matters here, which is why SUV owners went with something other than a sedan for their ideal vehicle. This is why it’s important to stand out from the crowd in this category since this is one of the main reasons people would want to upgrade to something a little bigger at the sacrifice of fuel economy.
The Ford Explorer has a roomy interior that can fit up to seven passengers. The Limited and ST models allow for seating of up to six passengers, while the XLT and Platinum models will allow for up to seven. This may not be up to the eight person limit you’ll find on certain mid-size SUVs, but the fact is that most people will opt for the 7-seat configuration anyway. In a 7-seat configuration, your 2nd-row seating leaves a space in the middle for easy access to and from the third row. This makes it both easier for your passengers and yourself when you’re looking to store more cargo.
Speaking of cargo, the 2020 Ford Explorer has a cargo space of 87.8 cu.ft. More than enough to fit all the gear you need for your next trip.
The Grand Cherokee has a decent-sized interior, but it can only fit up to five passengers, no matter the configuration you select. This will severely limit your options when it comes to deciding whether or not a Grand Cherokee might be right for you. In addition, the maximum interior cargo volume is 68.3 cu.ft., which is nearly 20 cu.ft. less than the Explorer. Fewer seats for passengers and less interior cargo volume means less space overall for fitting in everything you need for an adventure.
With advancing technology in the automotive industry, manufacturers are now able to include increasingly innovative technology that is designed to keep you, your passengers, and other drivers more safe and protected on the road. It has become a common theme across the industry to include these advanced features across the board.
All 2020 Ford Explorer models come with Ford Co-Pilot360, which is Ford’s suite of safety features. You can enjoy your drive in peace with standard and optional features like auto high-beams, a rear view camera, a lane-keeping system, and intelligent adaptive cruise control. Other available features include pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, a blind spot information system with trailer coverage, side wind stabilization, and more. Most of these features are found standard across all Explorer models, but some of them will only be found starting at the Limited and above. That’s pretty good considering the Limited is only the second trim from the bottom.
Not all 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokees will come with the same standard safety features. In general, there are a lot of advanced safety features found on other vehicles that you will not find on a Grand Cherokee. However, you can find features like lane departure warning, a full-speed forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. The issue is, these features don’t become standard until you hit the High Altitude trim level, which has an MSRP of $49,040. The only advanced safety feature you’ll find standard across all Grand Cherokee models is blind-spot monitoring and cross-path detection.
Unfortunately, the Grand Cherokee lineup seems to be lacking in its standard and available safety features, especially when compared to the Ford Explorer models. While luxury and convenience features are great, they’re no substitute for the ever-important safety measures built into modern vehicles.
It’s easy to think that all midsize SUVs are created equal, but when you get down to actually comparing them, you’ll find that they aren’t. The 2020 Ford Explorer is built with the consumer in mind. It has a very spacious interior, loads of performance, and it comes at competitive pricing. Plus, the big kicker, you’ll find a whole array of safety features to make sure all of your precious cargo, especially your passengers, is protected.
At Kings Ford, we believe in selling high-quality vehicles at prices that can’t be beat. We back the Ford brand wholeheartedly because we know Ford vehicles are built to last and have the capabilities you need. Whether you are looking for a new or used model and no matter what style you are looking for, you'll find something on our lot that fits your exact needs. We offer a wide variety of vehicles, from cars to trucks to SUVs, and always have a diverse selection available for your perusal. Feel free to check them out online and then give us a call to schedule a test drive today. One of our friendly and professional associates would be more than happy to answer all of your questions and help you find the car, truck, or SUV of your dreams.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
