2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. 2018 Ford Explorer

What’s better about the Jeep?

V8 and diesel. The Jeep and the Ford both offer base V6 engines with about the same amount of power. From there, the Explorer offers two optional turbocharged engines: a four-cylinder unit and a turbo V6. Both are highly-rated engines but Jeep has more choices: a diesel option and several V8 options that pack high horsepower.

Better towing abilities. Not only does its base V6 tow more than the Ford’s base V6, but the towing abilities on the Grand Cherokee’s optional engines only go up from there. That’s important for people looking to regularly haul large boats, RVs or trailers.

More refinement. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is built on a platform that was co-developed with Mercedes-Benz and its upscale ride quality shows this. While the Explorer can feel common and utilitarian, the Jeep feels like a higher class of SUV.

What’s better about the Explorer?

Three rows of seats. Shoppers who know they’ll pull carpool duty to practice should note that while the Explorer offers seating for up to seven people thanks to a third row of seats, the Grand Cherokee does not.

More space. The Explorer is almost nine inches longer than the Grand Cherokee and this larger footprint buys you considerably more space inside. Not only does the Explorer have a third row of seats, but it also has more passenger space and cargo space than the Grand Cherokee.

More reliable. Consumer Reports found the 2018 Explorer to have a reliability advantage over the Jeep Grand Cherokee. We’re not surprised; Jeep products and those by sister companies like Fiat, Chrysler, Dodge and Ram all rank below the industry average for reliability. This gives the Ford Explorer a distinct advantage.

Autolist’s take:

This is a tough one. The Explorer is better for buyers who need a lot of space, particularly three rows of seats for carpooling or plenty of cargo room. Meanwhile the Jeep is the better choice for those who will be towing large loads. But what if you’re not in either of those camps and you’re just looking for a large crossover for everyday use? While the Ford Explorer has a nice range of optional turbocharged engines and better reliability, we’re smitten with the refinement, style and build quality of the Jeep so we say Buy the Jeep.