2026 Ford Explorer® vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee in Barrington, IL
Take on long-awaited adventures, weeknight fun, and weekend getaways in the 2026 Ford Explorer® and 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Both SUVs offer generous interior space, premium technologies, and dynamic engine options, but which one is right for you? See what makes each of these family-friendly SUVs unique and make a more informed buying decision with the following comparison from the team at Wickstrom Ford.
If you find that the emphasis on space and performance in the Ford Explorer fits your requirements best, take the next step in your shopping process at our Ford dealership in Barrington, IL. Shop our available Explorer inventory to find your ideal model, then schedule a test drive appointment to get behind the wheel. Through each step of your shopping journey, count on an exceptional dealership experience that we call The Wickstrom Way.
For any questions about your preferred Explorer, get in touch with your dedicated Wickstrom Ford representative online or by calling (847) 381-8850.
Quick Jump
Navigate to a specific research section to learn more:
2026 Ford Explorer
2026 Ford Explorer vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee Interior Design & Technology
Luxurious, family-friendly amenities and modern connectivity features in the 2026 Ford Explorer and 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee are designed to help you maximize each day behind the wheel.
Interior and technology features in the Explorer Active 100A base trim include unique cloth seat upholstery, second-row captain’s chairs, a 12.3-inch instrument cluster display, and the Ford Digital Experience with a 13.2-inch center display. As you step up the trim ladder, available Explorer features include Active Motion® massaging front seats with heat and ventilation, premium quilted leather seating materials, and a B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen® with 14 speakers.
Interior and technology features in the Grand Cherokee Laredo base trim include cloth seat upholstery, a 10.25-inch driver information display, and a Uconnect® 5 infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen display. Upper-level trims add quilted Palermo leather, ventilated rear seats, a 19-speaker McIntosh® premium audio system, a 10.25-inch front passenger interactive touchscreen display, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display.
What are the shared interior and technology features?
Standard:
- Four-way manual front passenger’s seat
- Second-row captain’s seats with E-Z Entry and armrests (Explorer) or bucket seats with manual easy-entry slide (Grand Cherokee L)
Third-row 50/50 split-fold bench seat (Explorer and Grand Cherokee L) - Tri-zone automatic temperature control (Explorer and Grand Cherokee L)
- Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™
- Six speakers
- USB ports in first and second rows
Available with higher trims and optional packages:
- Front seats with Active Motion massage (Explorer) or front seat massage capability (Grand Cherokee)
- Power-folding third-row seat (Explorer and Grand Cherokee L)
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Heated second-row seats
- Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
- HD Radio™
- Third-row USB ports (Explorer and Grand Cherokee L)
- Remote start system
- Universal garage door opener
What are the unique Ford Explorer interior and technology features?
Standard (Active 100A):
- Unique cloth seat upholstery
- Six-way power driver’s seat
- 12.3-in. instrument cluster display
- Ford Digital Experience with 13.2-in. center display
- SiriusXM® with 360L capability
- 4G/5G modem
Available with higher trims and optional packages:
- ActiveX®/cloth, ActiveX with Miko® inserts, leather, or premium quilted leather seat upholstery
- Ten-way power driver’s seat
- Eight-way power front passenger’s seat
- 35/30/35-split second-row bench seat
- Quilted interior
- Ambient lighting
- Active noise cancellation
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Panoramic fixed glass roof
- 110V/150W AC power outlet
- B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen with ten speakers, including subwoofer, or B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen with 14 speakers, including subwoofer
What are the unique Jeep Grand Cherokee interior and technology features?
Standard:
- Cloth seat upholstery
- Eight-way power driver’s seat
- 60/40-split folding second-row bench seat (two-row)
- TechnoLeather-wrapped steering wheel with shift control
- Dual-zone automatic temperature control (two-row)
- 10.25-in. driver information display
- Uconnect 5 infotainment system with 8.4-in. touchscreen display
- Bluetooth®
- SiriusXM Satellite Radio capability
- 4G LTE Wi-Fi® hotspot capability
Available with higher trims and optional packages:
- Capri leatherette, Capri leatherette/suede, Nappa leather, quilted Palermo leather seat upholstery
- 12-way power front seats
- Ventilated second-row seats
- Driver’s seat memory
- Power tilt/telescoping steering column with memory
- Digital auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Single- or dual-pane panoramic sunroof
- Wireless charging
- 115V auxiliary power outlet
- Uconnect 5 Nav infotainment system with 12.3-in. touchscreen display
- SiriusXM with 360L capability
- Nine-speaker Alpine® sound system with subwoofer and 504W amplifier, 19-speaker, 950W McIntosh premium audio system
- Leather-wrapped interior
- Multi-color ambient LED lighting
- Four-zone automatic climate control
- 10.25-in. front passenger interactive touchscreen display
2026 Ford Explorer vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee Engine Specs & Fuel Economy
The 2026 Ford Explorer and 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee both offer two unique engine options, each with its own distinct performance characteristics.
The standard 2.3L EcoBoost® inline four-cylinder (I4) engine in the Explorer makes 300 horsepower and makes 29 highway MPG, which is more than the 293 horsepower and 26 highway MPG with the standard 3.6L Pentastar® V6 engine in the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Select Explorer trims offer the 3.0L EcoBoost V6 engine, which makes 385 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque with up to 25 highway MPG. By comparison, the available 2.0L Hurricane 4 turbo I4 engine for the Jeep Grand Cherokee makes 324 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque with up to 27 highway MPG.
The maximum towing capacity in the Explorer is 5,000 pounds, and the Grand Cherokee has a 6,200-pound maximum towing capacity.
What are the Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee engine and performance differences?
| Ford Explorer | 2026 SUV | Jeep Grand Cherokee | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L EcoBoost I4 | 3.0L EcoBoost V6 | Engine | 3.6L Pentastar V6 | 2.0L Hurricane 4 turbo I4 |
| 300 HP | 385 HP | Horsepower | 293 HP | 324 HP |
| 310 lb.-ft. | 415 lb.-ft. | Torque | 260 lb.-ft. | 332 lb.-ft. |
| 5,000 lbs. | Max. Towing | 6,200 lbs. | ||
| 20 / 29 | 18 / 25 | MPG (City/Hwy) | 19 / 26 | 21 / 27 |
| RWD / 4WD | Drivetrain | 4x2 / 4x4 | ||
| Ten-speed automatic | Transmission | Eight-speed automatic | ||
2026 Ford Explorer
2026 Ford Explorer
2026 Ford Explorer vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee Size & Cargo Space
Differing interior configuration options help set the 2026 Ford Explorer and 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee apart. Every Explorer is built as a three-row SUV with seating for up to seven, while the Grand Cherokee is available with standard seating for five with two rows, or as the extended-length Grand Cherokee L with three rows of seating and room for up to seven travelers. The Explorer provides up to 85.8 cubic feet of cargo space, while the three-row Grand Cherokee L offers up to 84.6 cubic feet of cargo space.
What are the Explorer and Grand Cherokee size and cargo space differences?
| 2026 Model | Ford Explorer | Jeep Grand Cherokee | Jeep Grand Cherokee L |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Length | 198.7 in. | 193.5 in. | 204.9 in. |
| Rows of Seating | Three | Two | Three |
| Max. Seating | Seven | Five | Seven |
| Headroom (First/Second/Third Row) | 40.7 / 40.5 / 38.9 in. | 39.9 / 39.4 / - in. | 39.8 / 39.9 / 37.3 in. |
| Legroom (First/Second/Third Row) | 43 / 37.5 / 31.8 in. | 41.3 / 38.2 / - in. | 41.3 / 39.4 / 30.3 in. |
| Max. Cargo Volume | 85.8 cu.-ft. | 70.8 cu.-ft. | 84.6 cu.-ft. |
| Cargo Volume Behind Second Row | 46 cu.-ft. | 37.7 cu.-ft. | 46.9 cu.-ft. |
| Cargo Volume Behind Third Row | 16.3 cu.-ft. | – | 17.2 cu.-ft. |
2026 Ford Explorer vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee Safety Options & Features
Dynamic driver assistance technologies and advanced safety features fill both the 2026 Ford Explorer and 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Standard Ford Explorer features in the Active 100A include adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centering, BLIS® (blind spot information system) with cross-traffic alert, rear cross-traffic braking, and Pre-Collision Assist® with automatic emergency braking. Advanced trim levels for the Explorer come with a 360-degree camera, front parking sensors, and BlueCruise hands-free highway driving capability.
Grand Cherokee Laredo equipment includes comparable adaptive cruise control with stop and go, blind spot and cross-path detection, an active lane management system, and full-speed forward collision warning plus. The higher-level trims feature a surround view camera system and parallel and perpendicular park assist with stop. Optional upgrades include the hands-free active driving assist system and night vision infrared camera.
What are the shared safety features?
Standard:
- Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go
- Blind spot support: BLIS with cross-traffic alert, exit warning, and trailer coverage (Explorer) or blind spot and cross-path detection (Grand Cherokee)
- Lane management: Lane keeping system (Explorer) or active lane management system (Grand Cherokee)
- Collision avoidance and braking: Pre-Collision Assist with automatic emergency braking (Explorer) or full-speed forward collision warning plus and pedestrian/cyclist emergency braking (Grand Cherokee)
- Rearview camera
Available with higher trims and optional packages:
- Hands-free driving capability: BlueCruise hands-free highway driving capability (Explorer) or hands-free active driving assist system (Grand Cherokee)
- Camera technology: 360-degree camera with split view (Explorer) or surround view camera system (Grand Cherokee)
What are the unique Ford Explorer safety features?
Standard (Active 100A):
- Adaptive cruise control with lane centering
- Auto high-beam headlights
- Intersection assist
- Rear cross-traffic braking
- Rear parking sensors
- Post-collision braking
- Speed sign recognition
Available with higher trims and optional packages:
- Front parking sensors
What are the unique Jeep Grand Cherokee safety features?
Standard (Laredo):
- Advanced brake assist
- Hill start assist
- ParkSense® rear park assist with stop
Available with higher trims and optional packages:
- Active driving assist system
- Intersection collision assist system
- Traffic sign recognition
- Automatic high-beam headlamp control
- ParkSense front park assist
- Side distance warning
- Integrated off-road camera
- Drowsy driver detection
- Parallel and perpendicular park assist with stop
- Head-up display
- Night vision with pedestrian and animal detection
2026 Ford Explorer
2026 Ford Explorer
2026 Ford Explorer vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee FAQs
Which vehicle has more space?
The 2026 Ford Explorer provides more headroom in all three rows, more front- and third-row legroom, and more maximum cargo space, while the three-row 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offers more second-row legroom.
How does the Ford Explorer differ from the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Notable differences between the 2026 Ford Explorer and 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee include higher standard horsepower, torque, and fuel economy estimates, more available horsepower and torque, and larger standard displays for the Explorer. The Grand Cherokee offers a higher maximum towing capacity, unique interior displays, and unique driver assistance technologies.
2025 Ford Explorer® vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee in Barrington, IL
Dynamic, versatile, and connected, the 2025 Ford Explorer® and 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee offer all the modern essentials, upscale options, and practical features you’re looking for in a new SUV. See the key differences between these two models, including their interior configurations, technology, performance specs, and more with this comparison research guide created by the experts at Wickstrom Ford.
If you find that the Explorer is the ideal fit for your busy lifestyle, find your favorite Ford Explorer for sale and schedule a test drive in Barrington, IL. Before your visit, be sure to see if our Ford Explorer lease makes it a fit for your desired monthly budget.
Contact us online or by calling (847) 381-8850 to request more information about the Explorer or take the next step in your shopping journey. Your dedicated Wickstrom Ford representative will be happy to be there for you through the entire process — it’s just the first commitment in what we call The Wickstrom Way.
2025 Ford Explorer vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee Interior Design & Technology
Plush interiors with soft-touch materials, innovative technology, and premium comfort options enhance your driving experience in both the 2025 Ford Explorer and 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Contemporary amenities available in both models include power-adjustable front seats, wireless phone charging capabilities, auto-dimming rearview mirrors, premium leather seat upholstery materials, and heated steering wheels. Both models allow you to fill the cabin with warm, natural light and fresh air through a panoramic Vista Roof® in the Explorer or dual-pane panoramic sunroof in the Grand Cherokee.
Some notable differences include:
Comfort Options — In select trims, the two models share features like heated and ventilated front seats with a massage function and heated second-row seats. Ventilated second-row seats are available on the Grand Cherokee, along with four-zone climate control. The Explorer features a standard tri-zone climate control.
Displays and Infotainment — Every Explorer is equipped with a 13.2-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch instrument panel productivity screen. The Ford Digital Experience in the Explorer utilizes Google built-in capabilities, wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, and Amazon Alexa Built-in capabilities. By comparison, the Grand Cherokee uses a standard 8.4-inch Uconnect® 5 touchscreen and a 10.25-inch cluster display with the option for a 10.1-inch Uconnect 5 Nav touchscreen system. The Grand Cherokee also offers a front passenger interactive display.
Sound System Options — A premium sound system is available in both SUVs. The Explorer offers a 14-speaker B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen® with a subwoofer, while the Grand Cherokee offers a 19-speaker McIntosh® sound system.
2025 Ford Explorer vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee Engine Specs & Fuel Economy
Rugged capability blends with adventure-extending fuel efficiency in both the 2025 Ford Explorer and 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Choose between either a 2.3L EcoBoost® inline four-cylinder (I4) engine or a 3.0L EcoBoost V6 engine with the Explorer. Every Grand Cherokee is powered by a 3.6L Pentastar® V6 engine. Overall, both Explorer engines make more horsepower and torque than what the Grand Cherokee has to offer — 300 horsepower in the standard Explorer engine and 400 horsepower with the available engine, versus 293 horsepower with the Grand Cherokee.
Fuel economy estimates for the Ford SUV are also higher, with up to 20 MPG in city driving and 29 MPG on the highway, versus 19 city and 26 highway for the Jeep. Tow up to 5,000 pounds with the Ford Explorer or 6,200 pounds with the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Compare the performance specs for the Explorer and Grand Cherokee in the accompanying chart.
| 2025 Model | Ford Explorer | Ford Explorer | Jeep Grand Cherokee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.3L EcoBoost I4 | 3.0L EcoBoost V6 | 3.6L Pentastar V6 |
| Horsepower | 300 HP | 400 HP | 293 HP |
| Torque | 310 lb.-ft. | 415 lb.-ft. | 260 lb.-ft. |
| MPG (city / hwy) | 20 / 29 | 18 / 25 | 19 / 26 |
| Max. Towing Capacity | 5,000 lbs. | 5,000 lbs. | 6,200 lbs. |
| Transmission | Ten-speed automatic | Ten-speed automatic | Eight-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | RWD / 4WD | RWD / 4WD | 4x2 / 4x4 |
2025 Ford Explorer vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee Size & Cargo Space
Enjoy generous space in both the 2025 Ford Explorer and 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Explorer is standard with three rows of seating, while the Grand Cherokee is built in both two- and three-row configurations. In their comparable three-row configurations, the Explorer and Grand Cherokee L both seat seven, but the Ford SUV provides more first- and third-row legroom. Overall cargo space is close — with a maximum of 85.8 cubic feet in the Explorer and 84.6 cubic feet in the Grand Cherokee L.
See the size and interior space differences between the Explorer and Grand Cherokee in the following chart.
| 2025 Model | Ford Explorer | Jeep Grand Cherokee (two-row) | Jeep Grand Cherokee L (three-row) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max. Seating Capacity | Seven | Five | Seven |
| Headroom (First/Second/Third Row) | 40.7 / 40.5 / 38.9 in. | 39.9 / 39.4 / – in. | 39.8 / 39.9 / 37.3 in. |
| Legroom (First/Second/Third Row) | 43 / 39 / 32.2 in. | 41.3 / 38.2 / – in. | 41.3 / 39.4 / 30.3 in. |
| Max. Cargo Space | 85.8 cu.-ft. | 70.8 cu.-ft. | 84.6 cu.-ft. |
| Cargo Space Behind Second Row | 46 cu.-ft. | 37.7 cu.-ft. | 46.9 cu.-ft. |
| Cargo Space Behind Third Row | 16.3 cu.-ft. | N/A | 17.3 cu.-ft. |
2025 Ford Explorer vs. Jeep Grand Cherokee Safety Options & Features
A vast selection of standard and available safety technologies surrounds you in both the 2025 Ford Explorer and 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Among their similar standard features, you can enjoy the convenience of adaptive cruise control, systems to boost blind spot and cross-traffic awareness, features to help you maintain proper lane positioning, and emergency braking that automatically engages as needed. Boost your visibility in tight parking situations with a 360-degree camera in either model. Both SUVs allow you to drive hands-free on select highways with Ford BlueCruise in the Explorer and a hands-free active driving assist system in the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Intersection Assist 2.0 functions within certain speeds to help you avoid collisions in an intersection, alerting you to oncoming traffic when you turn left, traffic crossing your path, and pedestrians with audible cues and automatic braking if needed. While this functionality is standard in the Explorer, intersection collision assist with a focus on mitigating cross-traffic collisions by alerting you to hazards is available in select Grand Cherokee models. A night vision camera and automatic steering for parallel and perpendicular parking are uniquely available on the Grand Cherokee.
Standard Explorer safety features include:
- Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist+
- Adaptive cruise control with stop and go and lane centering
- Auto high beams
- BLIS® (blind spot information system) with cross-traffic alert, exit warning, and trailer coverage
- Evasive steering assist
- Intersection Assist 2.0
- Lane-keeping system
- Pre-Collision Assist® with automatic emergency braking
- Rear cross-traffic braking
- Rearview camera
- Reverse parking assist
- Post-collision braking
- Rear parking sensors
Standard Grand Cherokee safety features include:
- Active lane management system
- Adaptive cruise control with stop and go
- Advanced brake assist
- Blind spot and cross-path detection
- Full-speed forward collision warning plus
- Hill start assist
- ParkSense® rear park assist with stop
- ParkView® rear backup camera
- Pedestrian/cyclist emergency braking
2025 Ford Explorer Key Advantages
Performance, space, and standard tech top the list of key reasons to pick the 2025 Ford Explorer. Enjoy more fuel-efficient performance and higher horsepower and torque estimates with the standard engine in the Explorer, or make every drive a thrill with the 400-horsepower V6. Larger standard screens with built-in Google capabilities lend modern convenience to your daily routine, and spacious front legroom ensures you and your co-pilot’s comfort remain a top priority.
Notable Explorer advantages include:
- Higher standard fuel economy
- Higher standard and available horsepower and torque
- Standard 13.2-in. touchscreen
- Standard 12.3-in. digital productivity screen
- Higher front- and third-row legroom
2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee Key Advantages
An additional 1,200 pounds of towing capacity and unique features in higher-end 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee trims help differentiate the model. Among these are ventilated second-row seats and several distinctive tech features, including a premium 19-speaker sound system and a display in front of the front passenger. Night vision camera technology is also available in select Grand Cherokee models.
Notable Grand Cherokee advantages include:
- Higher max. towing capacity
- Ventilated second-row seats
- Night vision technology
- Interactive passenger’s display
- 19-speaker sound system
Learn More About the Ford Explorer
Take the next step in your research journey with help from the team at Wickstrom Ford. Our Ford SUV professionals have created additional research guides and resources to help you consider all the aspects of the Explorer, from key features and colors to standard equipment.
Our available Explorer resources include:
How can we help?
* Indicates a required field