Compare the2026 Ford ExplorerVS 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Ford Explorer have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Jeep Grand Cherokee doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Explorer has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Grand Cherokee doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Explorer and Grand Cherokee have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Explorer has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Grand Cherokee’s Rear Cross Path Detection doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Explorer and the Grand Cherokee have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Explorer is safer than the Jeep Grand Cherokee:

	Explorer	Grand Cherokee
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Compression	13 lbs.	84 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	196/188 lbs.	482/259 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.6 inches
Leg Forces (l/r)	196/281 lbs.	400/347 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Explorer is much safer than the Grand Cherokee:

	Explorer	Grand Cherokee
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	140	252
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	45/45 pounds	180/360 pounds
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	45/45 pounds	180/360 pounds
Leg Forces L/R	382/382 pounds	495/607 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Chest Rating	GOOD	POOR
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford Explorer is safer than the Jeep Grand Cherokee:

	Explorer	Grand Cherokee
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	65	87
Abdominal Force	161 lbs.	192 lbs.
Hip Force	224 lbs.	235 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	86	164
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	39 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	14 inches
HIC	288	458
Spine Acceleration	39 G’s	41 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Explorer is 2.8% to 4.4% less likely to roll over than the Grand Cherokee.

The Ford Explorer has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Grand Cherokee is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

There are over 18 percent more Ford dealers than there are Jeep dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Explorer’s warranty.

Reliability

The Explorer has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Grand Cherokee doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Explorer’s reliability 23 points higher than the Jeep Grand Cherokee and 33 points higher than the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4Xe.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Jeep With 67 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Ford higher than Jeep.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ford 6 places higher in reliability than Jeep.

Engine

The Explorer’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 7 more horsepower (300 vs. 293) and 50 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 260) than the Grand Cherokee’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6. The Explorer’s optional 3.0 turbo V6 produces 25 more horsepower (400 vs. 375) than the Grand Cherokee 4xe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Explorer is faster than the Jeep Grand Cherokee:

	Explorer turbo 4 cyl.	Explorer turbo V6	Grand Cherokee V6	Grand Cherokee 4xe
Zero to 60 MPH	6.1 sec	5.3 sec	7.3 sec	6.5 sec
Quarter Mile	14.7 sec	13.9 sec	15.5 sec	15 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94.1 MPH	99.9 MPH	89.8 MPH	91.3 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Explorer gets better mileage than the Grand Cherokee running its gasoline engine:

			MPG
Explorer
	RWD	2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/29 hwy
	AWD	2.3 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/27 hwy
Grand Cherokee
	RWD	3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy
	AWD	3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy

Both the Explorer and the Grand Cherokee have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Explorers have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. A disable switch for start/stop is only offered on the Grand Cherokee V6.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Ford Explorer, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Grand Cherokee.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Explorer ST’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Grand Cherokee:

	Explorer ST	Grand Cherokee
Front Rotors	14.3 inches	13.9 inches

The Explorer stops much shorter than the Grand Cherokee:

	Explorer	Grand Cherokee
70 to 0 MPH	161 feet	189 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	142 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	139 feet	145 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Explorer has larger standard tires than the Grand Cherokee (255/65R18 vs. 245/70R17).

The Explorer’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 65 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Grand Cherokee Laredo’s standard 70 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Explorer has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Grand Cherokee Laredo.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the Explorer can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Grand Cherokee doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

Suspension and Handling

The Explorer’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Grand Cherokee doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Explorer’s wheelbase is 2.4 inches longer than on the Grand Cherokee (119.1 inches vs. 116.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Explorer is 1.4 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Grand Cherokee.

The Explorer ST 4WD handles at .86 G’s, while the Grand Cherokee 4x4 pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Explorer ST 4WD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the Grand Cherokee Limited 4x4 (26.4 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The Explorer offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Grand Cherokee can only carry 5.

The Explorer has 43.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Grand Cherokee (150.3 vs. 107).

The Explorer has .8 inches more front headroom, 1.7 inches more front legroom, 1.8 inches more front hip room, 2.9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, 2.8 inches more rear hip room and 3.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Grand Cherokee.

Cargo Capacity

The Explorer’s cargo area provides more volume than the Grand Cherokee.

	Explorer	Grand Cherokee
Third Seat Folded	46 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	n/a	37.7 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	85.8 cubic feet	70.8 cubic feet

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Explorer easier. The Explorer’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 31.1 inches, while the Grand Cherokee’s liftover is 33 inches.

The Explorer’s cargo area is larger than the Grand Cherokee’s in every dimension:

	Explorer	Grand Cherokee
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	20.8”/49.8”/84.1”	n.a./41”/73.8”
Min Width	48.1”	43”
Height	33.7”	32”

Towing

The Explorer’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Grand Cherokee’s (5000 vs. 3500 pounds).

Ergonomics

On a hot day the Explorer’s driver can lower the front windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Grand Cherokee can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Explorer’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Grand Cherokee doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its extra cost Uconnect Access can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Explorer’s standard Intelligent Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Enter-N-Go standard on the Grand Cherokee doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Explorer has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Grand Cherokee doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Explorer Platinum also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

Compared to traditional radio, the Ford Explorer’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio costs extra on the Grand Cherokee.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Ford Explorer, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Jeep Grand Cherokee isn't recommended.

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