2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Cherokee: Side by Side Comparison

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Cherokee: Side by Side Comparison

Posted on February 26, 2021

Jeep is renowned for its cars' ability to handle city driving and off-road exploits with equal ease. Two of their most popular SUVs are the Cherokee and the Grand Cherokee, and although they're similarly named, they're very different cars in many respects.

Which one makes the right choice for you? Read our 2021 Grand Cherokee vs Cherokee comparison to find out.

First Impressions

While both cars can seat five in comfort, the Grand Cherokee is the larger SUV of the two, as the name suggests. The regular Cherokee has a smaller, sportier appearance, and has the size and agility to stroll the city streets in style.

The Grand Cherokee has an altogether more rugged design, with a larger body that's more clearly oriented toward tackling tough terrains, although it's still perfectly comfortable for everyday driving.

Under the Hood

The difference in size and power between the two SUVs is clear from the engine and performance figures. At the base level, the Cherokee comes with a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine putting out a respectable 180 horsepower, plenty enough for everyday driving. At the top end, there's a 3.6L V6 which ups the output to 271hp, adding the extra grunt needed for genuine off-road adventuring.

The Grand Cherokee takes raw output to another level entirely, with even the base configuration pushing out 295 horsepower from its 3.6L V6. And if you need, even more, there's a choice between 6.4L V8 making 470hp and a mighty 6.2L supercharged V8 cranking out fully 707 horsepower and 645lb-ft of torque.

Whether you're looking for confident city driving or the sheer power needed for intrepid rock crawling, there's a Cherokee or Grand Cherokee to fit.

Towing Capacity

The various engine capacities have a large impact on the maximum towing capacities of each vehicle. While the Cherokee has a respectable maximum rating of 2,042kg, enough for smaller campers or boats, the Grand Cherokee is by far the more powerful performer with a max capacity of 3,266kg.

Infotainment and Technology

As a Jeep with a strong family slant, the interior of the Grand Cherokee is well equipped with infotainment tech. There's a choice between a 7" or 8.4" touchscreen display, along with a 7" digital gauge cluster. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, with navigation an available option.

The regular Cherokee matches the touchscreen and smartphone options to give an impressive passenger experience, although it lacks the digital gauge cluster found on its larger cousin.

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Cherokee: The Verdict

Both SUVs are excellent examples of the trademark Jeep approach, combining everyday comfort and performance with off-road ruggedness. If you're looking for a compact car that's happy to leave the city for weekend fun, the Cherokee is probably the right choice. If you need a higher power to handle tougher tasks, then trading up to the Grand Cherokee could be a wise option.

Before deciding, contact us to book a test drive of both models from our Milton dealership, and see which Jeep is the perfect fit for your lifestyle.