Tuscaloosa Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
The 2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee tows 6,200 lbs, a 900-lb advantage over the 2027 Ford Explorer's 5,000-lb rating. The Grand Cherokee also delivers best-in-class 11.4 inches of ground clearance, which the Explorer cannot match at 7.6 inches. This page breaks down every key spec side by side so you can find the right SUV in our Tuscaloosa inventory.
2027 Grand Cherokee trims and specs
The 2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the stronger choice for buyers who prioritize towing, off-road capability, and a more focused five-passenger layout. The 2027 Ford Explorer is the stronger choice for families who need three rows and seven seats under one roof. Neither compromises on technology, but each serves a distinct buyer profile.
| Spec | 2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 2027 Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Engine (base) | 3.6L Pentastar V6 (Laredo/Laredo X) | 2.3L EcoBoost Turbo I-4 |
| Engine (upper trims) | 2.0L Hurricane 4-Cyl Turbo | 3.0L EcoBoost Twin-Turbo V6 |
| Horsepower | 324 hp | 300 hp (2.3L) |
| Torque | 332 lb-ft | 310 lb-ft (2.3L) |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Fuel requirement | Regular unleaded | Premium unleaded |
| EPA MPG (city/hwy/comb) | 19 / 26 / 23 | 20 / 27 / 24 |
| Seating | 5 | 7 |
| Cargo (max) | 70.8 cu ft | 85.8 cu ft |
| Cargo (behind last row) | 37.7 cu ft (behind 2nd row) | 16.3 cu ft (behind 3rd row) |
| Max towing | 6,200 lbs | 5,000 lbs |
| Ground clearance | 11.4 in | 7.6 in |
| Drivetrain | RWD standard, 4WD available | RWD standard, AWD available |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
The Grand Cherokee's 2.0L Hurricane 4-Cyl Turbo produces 324 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque on regular unleaded gasoline. That torque peak arrives at 3,000 rpm, which gives the Grand Cherokee noticeable low-end pull for towing or off-road crawling. Jeep pairs this engine with an 8-speed automatic.
The Explorer's base 2.3L EcoBoost makes 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, but it requires premium unleaded fuel to reach those figures. Ford uses a 10-speed automatic, which offers more gear steps but does not close the gap on towing or torque output. Upper Explorer trims (ST, and optionally Tremor and Platinum) step up to a 3.0L twin-turbo V6.
Fuel economy is close, with the Explorer holding a slight edge at 24 MPG combined versus the Grand Cherokee's 23 MPG combined. The Grand Cherokee's regular-fuel requirement is a practical daily-driving advantage over the Explorer's premium-fuel spec.
The Explorer's three-row layout seats up to seven, which is the most obvious structural difference between these two SUVs. If you routinely carry more than five people, the Explorer is the straightforward answer. Maximum cargo expands to 85.8 cu ft with all rows folded, compared to the Grand Cherokee's 70.8 cu ft.
The Grand Cherokee counters with a significantly more usable second-row cargo floor. With rear seats in place, the Grand Cherokee offers 37.7 cu ft behind the second row. The Explorer offers only 16.3 cu ft behind its third row, because that rearmost bench consumes most of the floor depth. Buyers who load gear more often than passengers will find the Grand Cherokee's cargo floor more practical.
Interior quality on upper Grand Cherokee trims (Overland and Summit) includes Nappa leather seating, with the Summit adding an available McIntosh 19-speaker audio system. The Trailhawk adds genuine Nappa leather with red accent stitching. The Explorer's Platinum trim counters with heated, ventilated, massaging front seats and B&O audio.
Both SUVs include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and AM/FM radio as standard. Their infotainment screen sizes differ by trim level within each lineup.
The Grand Cherokee offers a 10.1-inch touchscreen on Laredo and Laredo X (up from the previous 8.4-inch screen) and a 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 NAV touchscreen on upper trims, including the Trailhawk. Active Driving Assist is available across the lineup.
The Explorer includes a 13.2-inch center touchscreen across all trims, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 5G modem, Google Maps native navigation, Google Assistant voice controls, and a Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 10 devices. BlueCruise hands-free highway driving is standard on ST and Platinum trims. The Ford Connectivity Package (streaming, karaoke, and parked entertainment) comes included for one year.
The Explorer's connected technology suite is broader at launch, with native Google integration and a larger base screen. The Grand Cherokee's advantage is the Uconnect 5 platform's proven reliability and the Selec-Terrain system's five off-road modes (Auto, Sport, Rock, Snow, Mud/Sand) paired with Off-Road Pages that display pitch, roll, and suspension settings.
For off-road-specific safety tech, the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk adds an Integrated TrailCam with dynamic tire path overlay and a rear camera washer. The Overland and upper trims include a 360-degree camera system with washer. The Explorer includes a standard 360-degree camera on ST-Line and above.
Both vehicles carry identical warranty coverage: 3 years or 36,000 miles basic, and 5 years or 60,000 miles powertrain.
The Grand Cherokee's Hurricane 4-Cyl Turbo runs on regular unleaded fuel, which reduces the cost of ownership compared to the Explorer's premium fuel requirement on the same-displacement base engine. Over 15,000 annual miles, the fuel-grade difference adds up, especially when regular and premium prices diverge.
The Grand Cherokee offers a broader trim ladder for off-road buyers, with the Trailhawk (Quadra-Trac II, two-speed transfer case, skid plates, 30.5-inch all-terrain tires), Overland (Quadra-Lift air suspension, Quadra-Trac II), and Upland (all-terrain tires, Trailhawk-inspired styling) all targeting different tiers of capability spending. The Explorer's Tremor is its dedicated off-road trim, with off-road-tuned suspension and a Torsen limited-slip rear axle, but it does not match the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk's ground clearance or Trail Rated certification.
The Grand Cherokee Laredo and Laredo X receive standard wireless charging pads and rain-sensing wipers on the Limited trim for 2027, and the Limited trim gains new 20-inch wheels.
Both SUVs match on warranty and both offer capable all-weather drivetrains, so the decision usually comes down to passenger count versus towing and off-road priority. The Grand Cherokee wins on capability; the Explorer wins on people-hauling volume.
Tuscaloosa CDJR stocks the 2027 Grand Cherokee across the full trim ladder, from the entry Laredo to the Summit, with new trims including the Upland, Trailhawk, and Overland arriving in late 2026. Test drive the Hurricane 4-Cyl Turbo or the Pentastar V6 back-to-back, and compare them against anything else on your list. Our team in Tuscaloosa is ready to walk you through every trim's standard content and off-road capability ratings so you leave with the right build.
Yes. The Grand Cherokee tows up to 6,200 lbs when properly equipped, compared to the Explorer's 5,300-lb maximum, a difference of 900 lbs.
The Explorer has more total maximum cargo space at 85.8 cu ft versus the Grand Cherokee's 70.8 cu ft. However, the Grand Cherokee offers 37.7 cu ft behind its second row with seats in place, far more than the Explorer's 16.3 cu ft behind its third row.
No. The Hurricane 4-Cyl Turbo and the Pentastar V6 both run on regular unleaded gasoline. The base Ford Explorer engine requires premium unleaded.
The Grand Cherokee. It delivers 11.4 inches of ground clearance (best-in-class) versus the Explorer's 7.6 inches. The Trailhawk adds Trail Rated certification, Quadra-Trac II, a two-speed transfer case, six skid plates, and 30.5-inch all-terrain tires.
Yes. The Explorer seats up to seven with its standard three-row layout. The Grand Cherokee is a five-passenger, two-row SUV. If you need three rows, look at the Grand Cherokee L instead.
Laredo and Laredo X trims receive a new standard 10.1-inch touchscreen for 2027 (upgraded from 8.4 inches). Upper trims including the Trailhawk get the 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 NAV touchscreen with navigation.
Yes. Both the 2027 Grand Cherokee and the 2027 Ford Explorer carry a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
* The advertised price does not include sales tax, vehicle registration fees, other fees required by law, finance charges and any documentation charges. All vehicles that are registered in another state other than Alabama will be accessed a $275 fee to properly handle that state's DMV paperwork.
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