If you’re looking for a vehicle that can get you through the toughest terrain, drive reliably on both rugged roads and through city blocks, and offer the best safety features for you and your passengers, then the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Toyota Highlander are two great options. Learning about the specifications of each vehicle can make it easier to focus on your needs and choose the best vehicle for the kinds of adventures you take and the style you like. Read on to learn more about these two exceptional vehicles and compare prices, key features, and performance details.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Overview

First, let’s talk about the Jeep Grand Cherokee. This SUV comfortably seats five passengers, with available seating packages that can fit up to seven. The different models allow for total customization to benefit drivers who want a more luxurious driving experience as well as those looking for something sportier.

Most models have an eight-speed automatic transmission for a smoother ride with four-wheel drive available. It’s capable of towing up to 7,200 pounds with the 5.7-liter V-8 engine option. You can find hybrid options for this vehicle with the available 4xe plug-in hybrid electric motor.

Toyota Highlander Overview

The Toyota Highlander is similarly impressive. Toyota’s Highlander comes in 11 trim options: The L, LE, Hybrid LE, XLE, Hybrid XLE, XSE, Bronze Edition, Limited, Hybrid Limited, Platinum, and Hybrid Platinum. Toyota Safety Sense, multiple charging options, and a push-button start are some of the features of the base model. The towing capacity on the highlander is lower than on the Jeep Grand Cherokee, though it’s still more than enough to meet most adventuring needs. Its 3.5-liter, V-6 engine can tow up to 5,000 pounds. The Highlander also boasts impressive handling and fuel economy.

Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. Toyota Highlander

Here’s a closer look at these vehicles side by side with how they perform in various areas:

Price

The price for both these vehicles is fairly comparable, with base models of the Highlander selling for slightly less than the Grand Cherokee. The Grand Cherokee also has higher-end trim offerings, so the more expensive versions are higher priced than the Highlanders, but they are well worth the extra money. Base models of the 2022 Grand Cherokee start at $38,325, while base models of the 2022 Highlander start at $35,855.

If you’re interested in exploring financing options for the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, our finance department is here to help.

Features

The features available on the Grand Cherokee and Highlander SUVs differ greatly among the various trim levels. The Highlander’s base model comes with convenient features like five USB ports for convenient charging. Available sport-tuned suspension on the Highlander XSE makes it easier to grip the road and handle expertly around sharp turns. The SUV also features three drive modes: sport, eco, and normal. Sport mode delivers maximum performance for technical driving or adventures. Eco mode helps you be more fuel-efficient while driving in town and on highways. Normal mode strikes the balance between fuel economy and performance.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has many exciting features, too. Available models offer a third row of seating, with room for up to seven passengers. The vehicle’s interior emphasizes comfort and style, with a classic, elevated look. The Grand Cherokee comes in seven trims, each with its own unique offerings: The Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve. Features like adaptive cruise control show the SUV’s innovation and commitment to safety. It also comes with LED exterior lighting for improved visibility and driver comfort.

Fuel Economy

Both the Grand Cherokee and the Highlander come in hybrid models to help you save on fuel and transition to a more eco-friendly driving option. The Highlander also has an eco-mode, where the its performance changes to deliver maximum efficiency. Hybrid models like the Hybrid LE and Hybrid XLE can deliver about 36 mpg on the highways. Non-hybrid Highlanders average closer to 27 highway mpg.

The Grand Cherokee’s fuel economy on the highway is a very comparable 26 mpg. With its hybrid 4xe engine, the Grand Cherokee can get up to an impressive 56 mpg equivalent on the highway.

Power

In terms of power, the Grand Cherokee delivers more. The SUV comes with two engine options: the V-6 engine with 293 horsepower or the 357 horsepower eight-cylinder engine. With a towing capacity that exceeds the Highlander’s by 1,200 pounds, the Cherokee certainly delivers in terms of performance. That said, the base engine on the Highlander can deliver slightly more than the base engine on the Cherokee, but not by much. The Highlander’s 295 horsepower V-6 engine barely beats the Grand Cherokee’s 293 horsepower.

Safety

Every savvy driver knows there’s no compromising on safety. The makers of the Jeep Grand Cherokee know this too. That’s why they’ve included over 110 standard and available safety and security features so you can feel confident in your vehicle.

One available feature is Active Driving Assist. This feature uses sensors and radar systems to ensure you’re remaining a safe distance behind other travelers. The system can make subtle corrections to help keep you safe while driving. Also available on certain models is Drowsiness Assist. This feature looks for signs of drowsiness in drivers so it can alert you to pull over before an accident occurs.

Toyota’s Highlander has some impressive safety features too, including audible and visual alerts designed to keep you and your passengers safe. The SUV is equipped with a lane departure alert, which can notify and correct you if you accidentally depart from your lane. Highlanders can also use their camera systems to process signs and posted notices, displaying speed limits, intersections, and do not enter messages on the in-vehicle display. The Highlander can also automatically toggle between high and low beams at night, so you can see clearly without endangering yourself or other drivers.

These are two exceptional SUVs with lots of appealing features and customizations. We love the Grand Cherokee’s performance, terrain adeptness, and power. It’s truly an SUV that offers luxury and style without sacrificing capability. The extra capacity is another outstanding feature available in some of the Grand Cherokee offerings. If you’re interested in browsing our selection of Jeeps or if you have specific questions regarding these models, contact us today. We’d love to talk to you more about your options so we can find the SUV that’s right for you.

Images via jeep.com