2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Ford Explorer

Ford's 2021 Explorer was part of a family of SUVs that shared a striking resemblance, all starting with the letter "E." This lineup included the Escape, Edge, Explorer, and Expedition, reminiscent of the 1950s when brand loyalty was paramount. The Explorer's exterior was sporty, with raked belt lines and distinctive visages, though it could be mistaken for the Edge at a quick glance. The vehicle offered six trim levels, each with varying grille designs and prices ranging from $32,925 to $52,730. Inside, the Explorer featured three rows of seats as standard, with cloth upholstery on the base model and leather available on higher trims. The dashboard was clean, with an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and a rotary gearshift that freed up storage space.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, on the other hand, was a two-row version of the previous year's Grand Cherokee L. It came in seven trims: Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve, with prices ranging from $37,390 to $63,365. The Grand Cherokee's design paid homage to the 1963 Wagoneer, featuring a forward-leaning grille, lowered beltline, and tapered rear roof pillars. Inside, the Grand Cherokee mirrored the Grand Cherokee L, with a range of trims offering varying levels of luxury. The base Laredo trim provided good quality with cloth seats, while the Summit Reserve trim offered premium leather, heated and ventilated seats, and a high-end audio system. The Grand Cherokee also improved visibility and offered a panoramic sunroof for an airy cabin feel.

The 2021 Ford Explorer weighed 4,345 pounds at its lightest, powered by a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This engine outperformed the Kia Telluride's V6 but was offset by the Explorer's heavier weight. All trims featured a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Explorer Limited Hybrid offered a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims had a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, delivering 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, while the sport-oriented Explorer ST offered 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer's towing capacity ranged from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the trim and engine.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) with a V6 or V8 engine. The standard 3.6-liter V6 engine produced 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, with a tow rating of 6,200 pounds. A 5.7-liter V8 engine, available with higher trims and 4WD, provided 357 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, increasing the towing capacity to 7,200 pounds. The Grand Cherokee featured three 4WD systems: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II, each offering varying levels of off-road capability. The Trailhawk trim, designed for serious off-roading, included an electronic locking rear differential, Quadra-Lift air suspension, and Selec-Terrain driving modes. The Grand Cherokee's fuel economy ranged from 17 to 21 mpg, depending on the engine and drivetrain.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered seating for seven in the base trim, with captain's chairs in the second row for other trims, reducing capacity to six. The Explorer provided 39 inches of legroom for second-row passengers, ahead of some competitors but behind others like the Kia Telluride. With the third row deployed, the Explorer offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 81 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee provided a comfortable experience for the driver and front passenger, with higher trims offering heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and front seat massagers. The Grand Cherokee's redesign improved visibility, especially useful for off-roading. Rear-seat room was tight for adults with long legs, and the Grand Cherokee L offered more legroom and cargo space. The two-row Grand Cherokee provided 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat, expanding to 70.8 cubic feet with the back seat folded.

The 2021 Ford Explorer came with an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, offering AM/FM radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trims offered a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Explorer also provided multiple USB ports and 12-volt power points, with a 110-volt AC power outlet available on higher trims.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a tech powerhouse, featuring a head-up display, Night Vision system, camera-based rearview mirror, and up to five interior touchscreens. The Grand Cherokee came with the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering an 8.4-inch touchscreen in most trims and a 10.1-inch touchscreen in higher trims. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and voice recognition. The Grand Cherokee also offered a 19-speaker McIntosh audio system and a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV integration.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with top scores in all crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights. The Explorer came with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and dynamic brake support. Higher trims offered additional features like adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and speed sign recognition.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured an impressive collection of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and a safety cage composed extensively of aluminum and high-strength steel. The Grand Cherokee included Intersection Collision Assist, Active Driving Assist, and a hands-free version of Active Driving Assist coming in 2022. These systems provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving assistance, adaptive cruise control, and lane-centering assistance.