2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. 2020 Ford Explorer

If you’re like many Stamford and Greenwich SUV shoppers, you like comparing all your options when making a buying decision. That’s why we’ve compiled the following 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. 2020 Ford Explorer comparison. Read on to find out how these two SUVs stack up so you can get the two-row crossover SUV that meets your unique needs! Have questions along the way? Just contact us. Want to explore the 2021 Grand Cherokee more? Check out our guide to the new Grand Cherokee trim levels!

Explorer or Grand Cherokee: Power & Performance

When comparing the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. 2020 Ford Explorer, you’ll note that both vehicles have multiple engine options, but the Grand Cherokee offers more flexibility thanks to more available options. What’s more, the base engines for the Explorer vs. Grand Cherokee only differ by seven horsepower — hardly a significant difference on Bridgeport area streets:

• The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee provides you with four engine choices.
• The Ford Explorer only offers just three engine choices.
• The base Jeep Grand Cherokee engine offers 293 hp to the Ford Explorer’s 300 hp.
• The top Jeep Grand Cherokee engine puts out nearly twice as much power as the top Ford Explorer engine.

Curious to learn more? Below, you’ll find a detailed list of Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. Ford Explorer engine options and specifications.

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Engine Options & Specs

3.6L V6 Engine:

• 293 HP & 269 lb-ft of torque
• 19 MPG City/ 26 MPG Highway EPA Estimated Fuel Economy
• 3,500-pound towing capacity

6.4L V8 SRT® HEMI® MDS Engine:

• 475 hp & 470 lb-ft of torque
• 13 MPG City/ 19 MPG Highway EPA Estimated Fuel Economy
• 7,200-pound towing capacity

6.2L Supercharged HEMI® V8 SRT Engine: 

• 707 hp & 645 lb-ft
• 11 MPG City/ 17 MPG Highway EPA Estimated Fuel Economy
• 7,200-pound towing capacity

2020 Ford Explorer Engine Options & Specs

2.3L EcoBoost I-4

• 300 hp & 310 lb-ft of torque
• 21 MPG City/ 28 MPG Highway EPA Estimated Fuel Economy
• 5,300-pound towing capacity

3.0L EcoBoost V6

• 400 hp & 415 lb-ft of torque
• 18 MPG City/24 MPG Highway EPA Estimated Fuel Economy
• 5,600-pound towing capacity

3.3L Hybrid

• 318 hp & 322 lb-ft of torque
• 23 MPG City/26 MPG Highway EPA Estimated Fuel Economy
• 5,000-pound towing capacity

Explorer or Grand Cherokee: Off-Road Capability

While the Ford Explorer is certainly capable in its own right, it’s hard to beat a Jeep when it comes to off-road capability, and that holds true for the Jeep Grand Cherokee just as much as other models like the Wrangler. If you’re looking for the best off-roader out of the Explorer or Grand Cherokee, you’d likely be better off with the latter SUV, thanks to its Intelligent 4WD with Terrain Management System™, a unique 4×4 system that includes:

• 180-degree camera with split-view and washer
• AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™
• Hill Descent Control™
• LED Headlamps with Auto High Beams

Find a Jeep Grand Cherokee at Garavel CJDR

Ready to see how the new Grand Cherokee stacks up to the glowing comparison above? Interested in learning more about the Grand Cherokee like its interior, tech, and safety? Discover the many benefits of buying or leasing a Jeep Grand Cherokee at Garavel CJDR in Norwalk for yourself by browsing our new Grand Cherokee inventory, or by finding out about the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee color selection. Then, if you’d like, apply for financing online so you can take home the Grand Cherokee that you want sooner than you might’ve expected!