2027 Ford Explorer vs. 2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee

TrueCar says the Ford Explorer's $40,260 MSRP undercuts the Jeep Grand Cherokee's $40,915 by $655, and the Explorer also wins on fuel economy at 20 city/29 highway mpg versus the Grand Cherokee's 19 city/26 highway, though in the real world the order flips and the Grand Cherokee is the one that costs less based on what buyers actually pay. Unhaggle's spec comparison shows the Explorer's 2.3L EcoBoost turbo four making 300 hp and 310 lb-ft against the Grand Cherokee's 3.6L Pentastar V6 at 293 hp and 260 lb-ft, with the Explorer's Intelligent 4WD and 10-speed automatic against the Grand Cherokee's AWD and 8-speed TorqueFlite.

Which to choose, and why

$655 cheaper at MSRP, but the real-world order flips

TrueCar (opens in a new tab) says the Ford Explorer's $40,260 MSRP undercuts the Jeep Grand Cherokee's $40,915 by $655, and the Explorer also wins on fuel economy at 20 city/29 highway mpg versus the Grand Cherokee's 19 city/26 highway, though in the real world the order flips and the Grand Cherokee is the one that costs less based on what buyers actually pay.

More power and torque for the Explorer

Unhaggle's (opens in a new tab) spec comparison shows the Explorer's 2.3L EcoBoost turbo four making 300 hp and 310 lb-ft against the Grand Cherokee's 3.6L Pentastar V6 at 293 hp and 260 lb-ft, with the Explorer's Intelligent 4WD and 10-speed automatic against the Grand Cherokee's AWD and 8-speed TorqueFlite.

Questions buyers ask

Which is cheaper, the Ford Explorer or Jeep Grand Cherokee?

TrueCar (opens in a new tab) says the Explorer at MSRP by $655, but the Grand Cherokee costs less based on real-world average prices.

Which has more horsepower, the Ford Explorer or Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Unhaggle (opens in a new tab) says the Explorer, at 300 hp versus the Grand Cherokee's 293 hp.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

Ford Explorer: 8 records · Jeep Grand Cherokee: 8 records.

Decision field	Ford Explorer	Jeep Grand Cherokee
Exact EPA records	8	8
Model / option labels	3	4
Drive layouts	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive	All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
Engines / propulsion	2.3L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI, 3L 6-cyl SIDI	2L 4-cyl SIDI, 3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions	Automatic (S10), Automatic 10-spd	Automatic 8-spd
Fuel types	Regular	Regular
EPA classes	Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD	Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Combined efficiency	19–23 MPG/MPGe	21–23 MPG/MPGe
Electric range	Not listed	Not listed
Annual fuel / energy estimate	$2800–3400 per year	$2800–3100 per year

Head to head

Ford Explorer vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee: size, power, capability and price.

Measure	Ford Explorer	Jeep Grand Cherokee
Starting price (KBB base)	$40,260	$41,515
Top trim price (KBB base)	$58,255	$62,895
Horsepower	300-385 hp	293-324 hp
Torque	310-415 lb-ft	260-332 lb-ft
Curb weight	4,360-4,755 lb	4,365-4,784 lb
Length	198.7 in	193.5 in
Wheelbase	119.1 in	116.7 in
Cargo volume	85.3 cu ft	70.8 cu ft
Towing capacity	5,000 lb	6,200 lb
Seating	6-7 seats	5 seats
Basic warranty	3 years	3 years

Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2027 model year); prices are KBB base prices.

The Ford Explorer starts $1,255 lower: $40,260 against $41,515 before options and fees.
On peak horsepower, the Ford Explorer leads: 385 hp against 324 hp.
On peak torque, the Ford Explorer leads: 415 lb-ft against 332 lb-ft.
The Ford Explorer is lighter, comparing lightest trims: 4,360 lb against 4,365 lb.
On length, the Ford Explorer leads: 198.7 in against 193.5 in.
On wheelbase, the Ford Explorer leads: 119.1 in against 116.7 in.
On cargo volume, the Ford Explorer leads: 85.3 cu ft against 70.8 cu ft.
On maximum towing capacity, the Jeep Grand Cherokee leads: 6,200 lb against 5,000 lb.
On seating capacity, the Ford Explorer leads: 7 seats against 5 seats.
Both list the same basic warranty: 3 years.

Background on each vehicle

What public sources say about the Ford Explorer and the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

2027 Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer is a range of SUVs manufactured by the Ford Motor Company since the 1991 model year. The first five-door SUV produced by Ford, the Explorer, was introduced as a replacement for the three-door Bronco II. As with the Ford Ranger, the model line derives its name from a trim package previously offered on Ford F-Series pickup trucks.

Safety: Undergoing development during the late 1990s, the third-generation Explorer adopted safety features in response to the tread separation controversy that affected the previous-generation model line. Along with the deletion of the Firestone Wilderness AT tires, to further reduce rollover risk, the front and rear axles were widened (the latter, coinciding with the introduction of independent rear suspension). As an option, AdvanceTrac was introduced as a stability control system.

Source: Ford Explorer (Wikipedia)

NHTSA rated the 2025 Ford Explorer overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (32 campaigns across the latest model years)

September 2026, Air Bags:Frontal. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer vehicles. The active vent on the passenger side may not open as intended, preventing the air bag from deploying properly. Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury in a crash.
August 2026, Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer, Bronco, Bronco Sport, Mustang, and Ranger vehicles. The engine piston domes may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in piston dome failure and lead to a loss of drive power. Consequence: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
August 2026, Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L engine. The engine connecting rod bearings may seize, which can result in engine failure. Consequence: Engine failure can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, bearing failure may cause a breach in the engine block, allowing oil…

Owners filed 100 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Ford Explorer, most often about electrical system (23), unknown or other (17), service brakes (16).

2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a range of mid-sized sport utility vehicles produced by American manufacturer Jeep. At its introduction, while most SUVs were still manufactured with body-on-frame construction, the Grand Cherokee has used a unibody chassis from the start.

Source: Jeep Grand Cherokee (Wikipedia)

NHTSA rated the 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (6 campaigns across the latest model years)

September 2026, Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Jeep Wagoneer, 2024-2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Jeep Grand Cherokee 4XE, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, 2025 Jeep Wagoneer L, 2025-2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer L, and 2026 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. Due to a… Consequence: A TPMS warning light that fails to notify the driver of low tire pressure increases the risk of a crash.
August 2026, Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer. Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L vehicles. Due to a software issue in the body control module (BCM), the windshield wipers may fail. Consequence: Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
August 2026, Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera. Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Gladiator, Jeep Compass, Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Jeep Grand Wagoneer L, Ram Promaster, Ram Promaster EV, Ram 1500, Ram 2500, Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In… Consequence: A rearview camera image that fails to display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Owners filed 74 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee, most often about electrical system (30), engine (21), unknown or other (14).

Open both dossiers

Resolve the exact engine, drive and EPA ID.

01 · 2027Ford Explorer8 configurations →02 · 2027Jeep Grand Cherokee8 configurations →

Comparison answer desk

12 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2027 Ford Explorer or the 2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Efficiency

The 2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (22 vs. the 2027 Ford Explorer's 21 MPG/MPGe).