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Ford Explorer vs Jeep Grand Cherokee

2026 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee — two standard SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Ford Explorer

2026 Ford Explorer

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WD
VS3 – 3Tie: 3 categories each
Jeep Grand Cherokee

2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Ford Explorer is more fuel-efficient: 24 vs 23 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $100 a year less in fuel for the Ford Explorer (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Ford Explorer is the bigger car, about 6 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has had fewer recall campaigns (87 vs 105).

The two cars

The 2026 Ford Explorer is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (2.3L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo) and rear-wheel drive and part-time 4-wheel drive. It measures about 199 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 119-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,458 lb (4dr SUV).

The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.6L 6-cyl), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive, 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 193 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 117-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,368 lb (4xe Base 4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2024 Explorer and the 2020 Grand Cherokee have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2016 Explorer and the 2015 Grand Cherokee.

Basics

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Regular Gasoline, Plug-in Hybrid
2.3L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl
Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

24 MPG
Best combined MPG
23 MPG
20 city
City / highway MPG (best)
23 city
$2,800
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$2,900

Performance & space

–
Horsepower (most powerful)
324 hp
198.8 in
Length
193.3 in
78.7 in
Width
77.6 in
70.1 in
Height
70.9 in
4,458 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,524 lb

Safety & reliability

10
Driver-assist features standard
13
15
Recalls (2026)
6
105
Recalls, all years since 2005
87
42
Owner complaints (latest year)
55

Interest

23,294
Wikipedia views, 30 days
20,653

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2020
2016
Year to avoid
2015

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Ford Explorer if…

  • You want more room (6 in longer)

Choose the Jeep Grand Cherokee if…

  • You want something easier to park (6 in shorter)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech
  • You put reliability history first (87 vs 105 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Ford Explorer

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • 15 recallsMore than similar models (about 1). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee

  • Plug-in hybrid version availableOffered as a plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • "Park outside" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

Full 2026 Ford Explorer specs →Full 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →