2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Ford Explorer

Home to stunning state parks, natural waterfalls, and the breathtaking Finger Lakes, the area of Penn Yan, Geneva, and Watkins Glen is the ideal place for adventure seekers to call home. Every big getaway calls for the proper gear, though, starting with the right ride. If you’re considering the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee or the Ford Explorer for your next roadtrip-ready SUV, read on as our team at Friendly Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram puts them head to head.

A Daring Ride for Bold Drivers

Form trekking through the mud to hitting the open trail, you need an SUV designed to take on some of the most challenging conditions Mother Nature throws your way. Fortunately, the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ford Explorer offer 4-wheel drive systems for greater control and support over tough terrain. Selectable drive modes—such as snow, sand, and rock—then allow you to tailor traction to the specific conditions you’re encountering for an even more confident excursion.

The ultimate power and stability starts with construction, though, and when it comes to its frame, the Grand Cherokee has an advantage. Taking a commanding stance 10.8 inches off the ground with the help of an available Quadra-Lift® Suspension System, this SUV announces to the world it’s ready to take on some rocky and uneven surfaces with ease. This high elevation also allows for water fording up to 20 inches, leaving no trails unexplored. Since the Explorer is much lower to the ground with only 7.9 inches of ground clearance, bumps in the road may stop you in your tracks.

Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Ford Explorer: Powertrains

The ability to travel far and wide calls for a heart-racing engine to make road trips even more enjoyable. The 2020 Grand Cherokee offers four invigorating engine options to keep you fully immersed in your next venture. Want to take your water ski boat to the lake for the afternoon or your lightweight camper into the mountains? These motors are up for the job:

Engine Option	Horsepower	Torque (lb-ft)	Maximum Towing Capacity
3.6-liter Pentastar® V6	295	260	6,200 pounds
5.7-liter HEMI® V8	360	390	7,200 pounds
6.4-liter SRT® V8	475	470	7,200 pounds
Supercharged 6.2-liter V8	707	645	7,200 pounds

On the other hand, the Ford Explorer has only two powertrains to choose from. Even the available motor tops out at 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque and is unable to match up to the brute strength of the available supercharged engine in the Grand Cherokee. You may also have to leave your trailer behind, since the Explorer can only handle hauls up to 5,600 pounds.

Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Ford Explorer: Technology

No adventure is complete without the proper playlist, so the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ford Explorer offer infotainment systems in your center console. Choose from a wide array of entertainment features to enjoy a customized listening experience even when you wander far from home.

You may prefer the sound experience inside the cabin of the Grand Cherokee, though, since a Harman Kardon® Premium Audio System is available. It places a 10-inch subwoofer and 19 other high-performance speakers around the interior of your SUV to fully immerse you in quality sound. The Explorer tops out at 14 speakers, so you may not hear your favorite tunes as well when you’re tearing up off-road trails.