Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Jeep Liberty

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of the most rugged and capable SUVs in its class. Its strong off-road abilities and a long list of available powertrains and options make it a compelling choice, even when compared against competitors in this hotly-contested segment. Buyers that want the capabilities of a Jeep Wrangler and need room for a family will be pleased with the Grand Cherokee's configuration.

For the 2008 model year, the Grand Cherokee gets minor updates that come in the form of new tech features, off-road capability upgrades, and a handful of new safety features. The SUV’s exterior has been lightly revised with a new grille and headlight design.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is targeted at new-car buyers that want a robust off-roader with the comfort of a family SUV. It competes with the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, GMC Envoy, and Nissan Pathfinder. Trim levels include Base, Laredo, Laredo X, Limited, Overland, and SRT8.

The Grand Cherokee is available with a whopping five engine choices, three of which are rowdy V8s. There’s even a torque-rich diesel engine that delivers excellent fuel economy.

The standard mill is a 3.7-liter V6 that makes 215 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque. A 4.7-liter V8 is available that makes 305 horsepower and 334 pound-feet of torque. Next, there’s a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 that produces 325 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The range-topping gas engine is a 6.1-liter HEMI V8. Exclusive to the SRT8 model, it makes 420 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. The Mercedes-sourced diesel is a 3.0-liter V6 with 215 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque. Rear-wheel drive and a five-speed automatic transmission are standard, and four-wheel drive is available.

The Jeep Liberty is an off-road-ready compact SUV with the heart and soul of the brand’s much heartier vehicles. It’s able to climb, crawl, and wade through much stiffer terrain than its tiny size would suggest, and makes use of four-wheel drive and a solid rear axle to get through the tough stuff.

The Liberty is targeted at new-car buyers that want a rugged and capable SUV to take where more pedestrian vehicles just can’t go. It competes with the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Subaru Forester. Jeep offers the Liberty in just two trim levels: Jeep Liberty Sport and Jeep Liberty Limited. Though it slots below models like the Grand Cherokee, the Liberty carries much of the same styling and off-roading attitude as those pricier models.

A single engine is available for the 2007 model year: A 3.7-liter V6 that produces 210 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque. Power hits the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission by default, but four-wheel drive and a four-speed automatic gearbox are available.