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2011 Grand Cherokee vs. 2011 Ford Explorer

38K views 186 replies 47 participants last post by  JTS97Z28 
#1 · (Edited)
Just read an article:

http://www.digitaltrends.com/lifestyle/2011-jeep-grand-cherokee-review/

I hate how they refer to the GC as a crossover. It's a full-time real deal non transforming SUV. The article ends with the reviewer wondering if the Explorer will dethrone the GC. I'd beg to differ. They called the GC "unstuckable" after trying to get it stuck...hahaha.


What are your thoughts on the new explorer vs the gc? I think Ford copied Jeep big time...just read up on the features.

Here are some copied features. Jeep set the bar...now everyone else is playing catch up. Good luck catching up to the GC if it decides to hit the trails.

Terrain management
Heated/Cooled seats
Auto-climate control with command start (summer vs winter)
Class Exclusive Adaptive Cruise (liars)

Anyways. This article makes me love my GC even more...:thumbsup:
 
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#3 ·
I don't understand why they even try to compare the GC to Exploder at all. The Jeep is so much more capable than the FORD on and off road. Ford has been good in making sedans, and muscle cars but in their SUV market it's complete shit. Jeep has been in the SUV market a much longer time than Ford.
 
#6 · (Edited)
The JGC certainly has more offroad prowess but the Explorer has a few features I prefer such as:

  • Ford MyTouch (I have the 430N and it's user interface is no where near the My Touch)
  • 3rd Row Seating
  • Head Rest DVD Entertainment

The Explorer competes more with the upcoming Durango which is built upon a stretched JGC chassis.

I wouldn't go as far to call the JGC a crossover but it isn't a Body on Frame design and it's Uni-Body design is the same as the Explorer.

Jeep didn't invent terrain control, several other manufacturers have had it for years most notably Range Rover.

Also the feel of the buttons in the JGC are not on par with it's 42K+ price tag.

All that being said I still prefer my Overland V8 to anything else out there in the sub 55K market.
 
#7 ·
Just read an article:

http://www.digitaltrends.com/lifestyle/2011-jeep-grand-cherokee-review/

I hate how they refer to the GC as a crossover. It's a full-time real deal non transforming SUV. The article ends with the reviewer wondering if the Explorer will dethrone the GC. I'd beg to differ. They called the GC "unstuckable" after trying to get it stuck...hahaha.


What are your thoughts on the new explorer vs the gc? I think Ford copied Jeep big time...just read up on the features. And I think the Explorer is ugly.

Here are some copied features. Jeep set the bar...now everyone else is playing catch up. Good luck catching up to the GC if it decides to hit the trails.

Terrain management
Heated/Cooled seats
Auto-climate control with command start (summer vs winter)
Class Exclusive Adaptive Cruise (liars)

Anyways. This article makes me love my GC even more...:thumbsup:
Terrain management was probably based on the Land Rover. Heated.Cooled seats has always been with Ford starting with their Lincoln brand but now are fazing it with their Ford brand starting off with the Taurus. Don't really know if this is true or not but I was told that the new Explorer was built for the people that want a Taurus but want to haul all their junk too. :confused:

Even though I think that the Explorer and the Grand Cherokee is in a different class I wonder how most reviewer are going to rate both cars in a comparison test. And with that being said, what would they based their test on? I damn sure wouldn't take the Explorer off road like I would a WK but if I was given the keys to both cars and asked to pick one car to drive across the country with I would pick the Explorer.
 
#8 ·
Theres no 8 cyl option for the new explorer, only i4 and a 6:^/, looks too much like toyota designed it I like ford but the new explorer and even the new 2011 edge looks like pure shit. But hey people are eating it up
 
#11 ·
The Nissan Rogue should not have been mentioned at all. It's like comparing a cavalier to a Mustang.. in a class of their own....
 
#12 · (Edited)
Nissan Rogue? Is that guy effing serious? Must be what he drives.

the 2011 model definitely has a more curvy look, but not nearly as aerodynamic or strikingly sleek as, say, the Nissan Rogue.
Really?

 
#25 ·
Nissan Rogue? Is that guy effing serious? Must be what he drives.



Really?


Honestly? The guy that wrote this should be canned immediately. What does the Rogue have for an engine? A sewing machine? I bet I can bury that Rogue in three inches of snow...that's how much clearance it probably has plus all 4 wheels would spin at the same time with no correction being added to any of the tires where the tire may be able to grip into something. Poop on him! Ya I said that!
 
#15 ·
The Grand Cherokee is a niche vehicle, but that's alright; we know how good it is. It's subjective, but I find the Grand Cherokee has better curb appeal than the Explorer. The interior of the Explorer is also subjective to different tastes, but the climate control and stereo interface really put me off the Explorer; it's too fiddly. Audi has the same problem with this too...for me. The Grand Cherokee really has world class fit & finish, solid powertrain options and IMHO excellent curb appeal along with a beautiful and functional interior. That last part, the "functional" interior, is critical from a joy-to-drive aspect. I cannot compare driving it to a new Explorer, but compared to the Q5 and Q7, I'll take the Jeep. In fact, I DID take the Jeep and never looked back.
 
#16 ·
I don't think you can really compare the two. The new explorer is a front wheel drive car. The looks are not bad, but nowhere as good looking as the jeep, it does not have any of the capability of the jeep. I don't understand why Ford even bothered to put a terrain management system in it . It's a car nobody is going to use it offroad or for anything other than hauling people and groceries. The other thing I don't understand is why no V-8 you have a choice of a 3.5 V-6 Which is smaller and less powerful than the standard engine on the Jeep and an optional 2.0 turbo 4. That 4 is going to be one hard working engine in a 4500 pound vehicle. I would like to see how that engine is running when it gets 70 or 80K on it.
 
#17 ·
They have always been compared to each other and always will as long as the model names stay the same. They have been compared hand and hand ever since 1993.

The explorer is going back down to the original design offering more room, less off road capabilities, and no V8. Look at this old MT video I see the review being the same as it was 14 years ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6unHzcFVfLo

The Jeep's have always been unibody/uniframe they just had solid axles. The only things different now is 4 wheel independent suspension.
 
#19 ·
Yea but it seams like Ford is trying to get away from the "SUV" part of the Explorer. Kind of like how the Liberty get thrown the in ringer with the Escapes and CRVs. Its getting harder and harder to find a real SUV. A Explorer IMO is not a real SUV, its CUV but the WK on the other hand is a real SUV.
 
#22 ·
What is the tow rating for the best Ford model offered? That's one BIG thing that brought me to jeep....the ability to tow my tandem boat and car trailers. NOBODY else has this kinda ability in an SUV without getting into more bux and bigger sizes.
 
#36 ·
I don't think there is any set definition of a crossover SUV these days...there are so many variations that an argument can be made either way. For example, the Grand Cherokee isn't body-on-frame....it isn't even built on a boxed ladder frame....it no longer has a live rear axle. Like it or not, Jeep is moving the Grand Cherokee closer and closer to a crossover SUV with every redesign.

If you want to buy a new SUV that doesn't approach crossover status, your choices are extremely limited. There are a few SUVs today that are body-on-frame, with fully boxed ladder frames and solid rear axles, but I don't know how much longer we'll see those vehicles available in the future....
 
#37 ·
I disagree....the Explorer will definitely be cross-shopped with the Grand Cherokee. They are in the same price segment and they are similarly sized SUVs. And how can you think the Explorer will be cross-shopped with the Durango and not the Grand Cherokee? The new Durango is basically a rebadged Grand Cherokee.
 
#39 · (Edited)
The only vehicle that I think you could class the GC with right now, at least in it's price segment, is Xterra or the Toyota 4runner, which has to be the most godawful ugliest SUV on the road.
 
#42 ·
I don't think the Grand Cherokee is in the same class as either of those vehicles. Both the 4Runner and the Xterra are body-on-frame SUVs with live rear axles....more of the traditional "old school" SUV. And pricewise, the Xterra is significantly cheaper than both the 4Runner and the Grand Cherokee.
 
#44 · (Edited)
What I meant to say was that the Durango is longer than the Grand Cherokee making room for the third row.

EDIT:

Yeah, not really a difference in size or dimensions at all, at least on the outside, infact it weighs more. However it appears that interior dimensions are smaller. 15 cubic feet less behind the front row seats.

2009 Durango

Length: 200.8 in
Weight: 4,671 lbs
Wheelbase: 119.2 in
Width: 76 in

2011 Durango Specs:

Length: 199.8 in
Weight: RWD: 5176 lbs
Wheelbase: 119.8 in
Width: 75.8 in


2011 Grand Cherokee:

Length: 189.8 in
Weight: 4920 lbs
Wheelbase: 114.8 in
 
#46 ·
Why even compare the two? Completely different car if you ask me, would be like comparing apples with oranges. Other than both being cars or fruit, thats where the common line stops.
 
#48 ·
I think it is a fair comparison, simply because there will be buyers who consider both of them before purchasing one or the other. Remember, they are similar in size & price, and they both offer similar cargo room and 4wd.
 
#49 ·
To be honest, I really like the new Explorer. If I had to decide between the two, I would certainly pick the WK2 - but based on preferences, the Explorer isn't bad either.

In fact, I see myself in the Jeep but would highly recommend the Explorer to anybody looking for a 7-seater. Right now, there is no other SUV in that segment below $50K that can offer as much as the Explorer. If they put in the V6 EcoBoost, it'll be even better.
 
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