Jeep Cherokee vs. Ford Explorer

Tested For the Trails

The Jeep Cherokee’s Trail Rated® badge is a testament to its capabilities. By wearing this badge, it proves its poise and prowess in these key areas:

• Traction
• Water Fording
• Maneuverability
• Articulation
• Ground Clearance

Although explore is in its name, the Ford Explorer goes without a similar badge. However, it does come with a Terrain Management System™, which is very similar to the Jeep’s Selec-Terrain® Traction Management System. Both features work to help drivers adapt to their surroundings.

However, with the assurance of a Trail Rated® badge, you can look forward to limitless adventure in the Cherokee.

An All-Terrain Legend

Looking for stable footing on all terrain? Well, the Jeep Cherokee always has its adventure shoes on. This SUV can be equipped with one of three 4-wheel drive systems, including:

• Jeep Active Drive 4x4 System
• Jeep Active Drive II 4X4 System
• Jeep Active Drive Lock 4x4 System

These drivetrains deliver optimal grip and traction on the most unstable surfaces. So, when water, mud, or sand enter your path, you can move forward in confidence.The Ford Explorer has available Intelligent 4-Wheel Drive; however, rear-wheel drive comes standard.

Adventure All Year-Round

In the Jeep Cherokee, adventure is a constant. No matter if there’s a chill in the air or it’s the hottest day of the year, this Jeep will make you feel comfortable. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel come standard; so, after a long day at the ski resort, you can warm up on the way home. These features are merely available on the Ford Explorer.

After playing in the water all day, you’ll want a comfortable vehicle to drive home. Fortunately, both the Cherokee and the Explorer are available with ventilated front seats and dual-pane sunroofs to keep you calm, cool, and collected.

Got Gear?

Whether you’re hiking, biking, or picnicking this weekend, you need an SUV that can store all your gear. Both the Jeep and the Ford have configurable cabins that will fit your gear with ease. However, we all know that adventure comes with a crowd, which means plenty of trunk space is a necessity.

Let’s check out their trunk volumes:

• Jeep Cherokee Trunk Capacity: 25.8 cubic feet
• Ford Explorer Trunk Capacity: 18.2 cubic feet

On top of more trunk space in the Jeep, you’ll also have an available hidden multi-level cargo floor, which adds another level of flexibility to your adventure. It also keeps your personal items out of sight from passersby.

Safe On Every Journey

The Jeep Cherokee and the Ford Explorer both have standard safety suites, much like a superhero has their own arsenal of self-defense equipment and artillery. In fact, the Explorer even has similar systems to these found in the Cherokee:

• ParkView® Rear Back Up Camera
• Automatic Headlamps
• LaneSense® Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist
• Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking
• Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Path Detection

No matter where adventure leads, these confidence-inspiring features will have your back.

Rain or Shine

Will a little rain stop you from getting where you need to go? The Jeep Cherokee’s standard rain-sensing windshield wipers say, no way! These advanced windshield wipers automatically activate when condensation is detected on the windshield. If the precipitation slows down or speeds up, the wiper speed will automatically adjust.

Rain-sensing wipers will keep the view of the open road clean in the Ford Explorer with an upgrade to a higher trim level.