Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee: Two Siblings with Distinctive Styles
Photo Source: Jeep
Despite the similar names, the Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee are both distinct models. Each one offers different capabilities, and while they are both accomplished vehicles, each one is best for a different kind of driver. It can be argued that the original Jeep Cherokee was the first automobile to market itself as a family-friendly rig with more than a dash of off-road capability. Now (2023), the Jeep Cherokee has a more traditional front end and an upgraded interior with better seat upholstery, materials, and an infotainment system. Just ten years after the first Cherokee appeared, Jeep unleashed the larger Grand Cherokee on a burgeoning SUV market. That machine provided a spacious interior combined with off-road grunt, a mixture that proved to be a hit with customers.
Size Difference
The most noticeable difference between the two SUVs is their sizes. The Cherokee is the smaller option, conspicuously smaller, in fact. Sources indicate that the Jeep Cherokee is “183 inches long, 73 inches wide and 66 inches tall.” Compared to the Grand Cherokee, standing at 193.5 inches long, 78 inches wide, and 71 inches tall, its Jeep sibling is relatively tiny. Both models offer seating for up to five passengers, but there is considerably more room to stretch out in the Grand Cherokee, making it an ideal choice for drivers who are looking for a more luxurious driving experience that provides more wiggle room for passengers.
As a matter of fact, if buyers are searching for even more spacious accommodations, the Grand Cherokee L is Jeep’s answer by splitting the lineup into two lengths. The “L” literally refers to the longer car. That said, when the rear seats of the Cherokee are upright, there is a total of 25.8 cubic feet of storage space, not counting the 0.7 cubic feet tucked away when one lowers the cargo floor slightly with a clever repositioning of the spare tire cover. Rear seats folded, 54.7 cubes reveal themselves. Its liftover height, the amount of distance it takes to lift an object from the ground into the back of the Cherokee, is 30.9 inches for a 4×4 model.
As for the Grand Cherokee, in the cargo area behind its second row of seats, a total of 36.3 cubic feet of space is available for Costco runs, hockey bags, or whatever else a family needs to haul about. Folding away that rear bench, and reducing the Grand Cherokee to a two-seater, opens up a vast 68.3 cubic feet.
Under the Hood
The base trim of the Jeep Cherokee is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which accelerates up to 180 horsepower and produces 171 pound-feet of torque. The upgraded choice is “a turbocharged 2.0-liter that makes 270 horsepower mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission.” The Grand Cherokee also offers more formidable engine options than its counterpart. The standard all-aluminum 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine delivers an impressive 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, embodying power and refinement. The 4xe is a hybrid option that utilizes a 2.0-liter four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain and churns out a total of 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque.
Moreover, when properly equipped, a Grand Cherokee can tow a maximum of 7,200 pounds. That is pickup truck territory. To that end, a specialized Trailer Tow group is available on every single trim level and is standard on Overland and Summit trims equipped with 4×4 systems, plus the principal off-roader, the Trailhawk. This group installs an air-lift suspension with load-leveling in the rear, a Class IV trailer hitch, and heavy-duty engine cooling.
Trims
The range of trims for the 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee extends to no fewer than 13 options, whereas the 2023 Cherokee merely has two. Each trim offers an array of features and options to cater to diverse preferences.
With a legacy of innovation dating back over decades, the Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee continue to set industry benchmarks and captivate drivers with their uncompromised performance. If the brand’s level of commitment has left you intrigued, please visit Cape Coral Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, where we are all about helping our customers enjoy their shopping experience. We have a friendly and passionate sales team that will make your buying, leasing, or selling needs easy for any of our new vehicle inventory.