Both the 2017 Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee are excellent family vehicles with a spacious interior and the latest features. Both provide an upscale feel, especially compared to other similar models available in Virginia. To figure out which of these SUVs you should buy, take a closer look at how they stack up against each other.
Cargo Space
Most people who opt for a midsize or full-size SUV will do so because they need the extra interior room, whether that is for passengers or cargo. If your goal is to fit larger objects with ease, the Explorer has a clear advantage over the Grand Cherokee. While the Jeep has up to a reasonable 68.3 cubic feet of cargo, the Ford Explorer has a whopping 80.7 cubes, meaning you will almost never find the cargo area lacking.
Passenger Space
In addition to offering more overall room for your stuff, the 2017 Ford Explorer is better at fitting the entire family than the Grand Cherokee. The Grand Cherokee has two rows of seats meaning you can fit up to five people. By comparison, the Ford Explorer has three rows of seats so you can fit seven people total, making it better for families. In either case, the seats are designed for versatility, as they will split and fold. However, the 2017 Ford Explorer offers more combinations due to its extra row of seats. Of course, if you only need room for five passengers, you will get more cargo space in the Ford than in the Jeep.
Engines and Efficiency
No matter which of these two SUVs you choose, you will have a few engines to choose from. The 2017 Explorer offers a 290-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, a 280-horsepower 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged 4-cylinder, and a 365-horsepower 3.5-liter turbocharged V6. The 2017 Grand Cherokee lets you pick from a 295-horsepower 3.6-liter V6, a 360-horsepower 5.7-liter V8, and a 240-horsepower 3-liter turbocharged diesel V6. Since the base V6 engines are similar and so is the maximum power, the Jeep only has a lead if you want a diesel engine. Since most Virginia drivers aren’t interested in diesel, the Ford Explorer is more likely to offer a combination of efficiency and power you want with its extra gas option.
Whether you need help comparing the 2017 Ford Explorer to the competition or are ready to buy this SUV and start driving it around Salem, Virginia, the team at Berglund Ford of Salem can assist you.
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