2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. Ford Explorer® | McHenry, IL
If you’re looking for a robust three-row SUV with all the family essentials your commutes and weekend trips need, you’ve likely encountered the 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2025 Ford Explorer®. These exceptional vehicles have a lot to offer, including a spacious interior, intuitive technology, and innovative safety features. Continue reading this 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. Ford Explorer comparison created for you by the team at Sunnyside Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in McHenry, IL, to find out which is right for you.
To learn more about the Grand Cherokee, be sure to check out our Grand Cherokee review for exterior colors or our Grand Cherokee trims guide for a detailed breakdown of each model. Browse through our available inventory, find your ideal model, and consider pairing it with a lease offer. Should you need any assistance, you’re more than welcome to contact us online or over the phone at (815) 385-7220.
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2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. Ford Explorer Exterior Design
The 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2025 Ford Explorer have commanding, eye-catching exteriors that are sure to impress. You’ll find 18-, 20-, or 21-inch wheels for either SUV, with the Grand Cherokee also having a 17-inch option. There are helpful LED headlights and fog lamps available on either SUV, though the Grand Cherokee has bi-function LED premium headlamps. Both SUVs have handy roof rails for unlocking new storage potential.
Available Grand Cherokee exterior features include:
- 17-, 18-, 20-, or 21-in. wheels
- Bi-function LED premium headlamps
- LED daytime running lamps and taillamps
- Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors with turn signals
- Chrome exterior accents
- Deep tinted rear privacy glass
- Roof rails
- Rain-sensitive windshield wipers
- Front tow hooks
- Exterior front lighting animation
2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. Ford Explorer Interior Design
Wherever you travel, enjoy comfort and connectivity inside the 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2025 Ford Explorer. Relax into cloth, leatherette, Nappa leather, or Palermo leather seat upholstery in the Grand Cherokee, or unique cloth, ActiveX®, or leather seat upholstery in the Ford Explorer. The Jeep Grand Cherokee has an available 12-way power driver’s seat, while the Explorer has an available ten-way power driver’s seat. Both SUVs have available heated and ventilated front seats, though only the Grand Cherokee extends these amenities to the second row. Both also have available sunroofs or moonroofs, and power liftgates.
You can pair your smartphone to the available 10.1-inch touchscreen in the Jeep Grand Cherokee, or the 13.2-inch touchscreen in the Ford Explorer. Access key apps and features in both SUVs, including Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, Wi-Fi® hotspot capability, and navigation. The Grand Cherokee is ready to help you keep an eye on your passengers with the available interior rear-facing camera, and take on the trails with Off-Road Info Pages.
Available Grand Cherokee interior and technology features include:
- 12-way power front seats with back massager
- Heated and ventilated second-row seats
- Heated, TechnoLeather-wrapped steering wheel
- Three-zone automatic temperature control
- Dual-pane panoramic sunroof
- Hands-free power liftgate
- Interior rear-facing camera
- 10.25-in. color instrument cluster display
- 8.4- or 10.1-in. infotainment touchscreen
- 10.25-in. front passenger's interactive display
- Dual 10.1-in. seatback displays
- Six speakers, nine Alpine® speakers with a subwoofer, or 19 McIntosh® speakers with a subwoofer
- Off-Road Info Pages
2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. Ford Explorer Engine and Towing Specs
The 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2025 Ford Explorer have exceptional engines ready to take on your daily driving tasks. Utilize the standard 3.6L Pentastar® V6 engine in the Jeep Grand Cherokee, while the Ford Explorer has a standard 2.3L EcoBoost® inline four-cylinder (I4) engine and an available 3.0L EcoBoost V6 engine. The Jeep Grand Cherokee has an eight-speed automatic transmission and either 4x2 or 4x4, and the Ford Explorer has a ten-speed automatic transmission and either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). If you’re planning on hauling light trailers, the Grand Cherokee offers up to 6,200 pounds of towing, while the Explorer can tow 5,000 pounds.
View engine specifications in the following table.
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | 2025 Model | Ford Explorer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L Pentastar V6 | Engine | 2.3L EcoBoost I4 | 3.0L EcoBoost V6 |
| 293 HP | Horsepower | 300 HP | 400 HP |
| 260 lb.-ft. | Torque | 310 lb.-ft. | 415 lb.-ft. |
| 19 / 26 | MPG (city / hwy) | 20 / 29 | 18 / 25 |
| 6,200 lbs. | Max. Towing Capacity | 5,000 lbs. | |
| Eight-speed automatic | Transmission | Ten-speed automatic | |
| 4x2 / 4x4 | Drivetrain | RWD / 4WD | |
2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. Ford Explorer Size & Cargo Space
For all your passenger and cargo needs, count on the spacious interiors of the 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2025 Ford Explorer. The Grand Cherokee is uniquely available in either the standard two-row configuration or the Grand Cherokee L three-row configuration. The Ford Explorer is only available with three rows. Seat up to five or seven passengers in the Grand Cherokee, and seven in the Ford Explorer. The Jeep Grand Cherokee L has a maximum cargo capacity of 84.6 cubic feet, while the Ford Explorer is close with 85.8 cubic feet.
View interior specifications in the following table.
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | Jeep Grand Cherokee L | 2025 Model | Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five | Seven | Max. Seating Capacity | Seven |
| 39.9 / 39.4 / N/A in. | 39.8 / 39.9 / 37.3 in. | Headroom (First/Second/Third Row) | 40.7 / 40.5 / 38.9 in. |
| 41.3 / 38.2 / N/A in. | 41.3 / 39.4 / 30.3 in. | Legroom (First/Second/Third Row) | 43 / 39 / 32.2 in. |
| 70.8 cu.-ft. | 84.6 cu.-ft. | Max. Cargo Space | 85.8 cu.-ft. |
| 37.7 cu.-ft. | 46.9 cu.-ft. | Cargo Space Behind Second Row | 46 cu.-ft. |
| N/A | 17.3 cu.-ft. | Cargo Space Behind Third Row | 16.3 cu.-ft. |
2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. Ford Explorer Safety Features
The 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2025 Ford Explorer are packed with advanced safety features ready to help you on every adventure. You’ll find essential features available in either SUV, including blind spot detection, collision avoidance, parking assistance, and adaptive cruise control. If you’re looking to expand your vision capabilities, you can find surround view camera systems available on either vehicle, with the Grand Cherokee also having a grille-integrated off-road camera for trail travel. The Grand Cherokee also has an available hands-free active driving assist system, while the Explorer has the available Ford BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system.
Available Grand Cherokee safety features include:
- Active driving assist system
- Active lane management system
- Drowsy driver detection
- Grille-integrated off-road camera
- Intersection collision assist system
- Parallel and perpendicular park assist
- Rough road cruise control
- Traffic sign recognition
* The advertised price does not include sales tax, vehicle registration fees, other fees required by law, finance charges and any documentation charges.
* Images, prices, and options shown, including vehicle color, trim, options, pricing and other specifications are subject to availability, incentive offerings, current pricing and credit worthiness.
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