Jeep Grand Cherokee L Vs Toyota Highlander Jeepcarus.comIf you’re in the market for a new SUV, you might be wondering what’s the difference between the Jeep Grand Cherokee L and the Toyota Highlander. We’ll compare their engines – 3.6-liter V6 vs. 5.7-liter Hemi V8 – and how they compare in terms of seating and active driving assistance.
Jeep Grand Cherokee L Vs Toyota Highlander
3.6-liter V6 vs 5.7-liter Hemi V8
The 3.6-liter V6 engine in the Jeep Grand Cherokee l is a strong alternative to the 5.7-liter Hemi found in the Toyota Highlander. The L’s power is adequate for day-to-day driving. It boasts an impressive 37.3 inches of headroom and 30.3 inches of legroom.
The L is far more spacious inside, with a third row that feels smaller than the Telluride or Atlas. The cabin is quiet and refined, but it does suffer from a noticeable engine whine when pushed.
While the base Jeep Grand Cherokee L is equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, the optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine provides 357 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. Both engines pair nicely with an eight-speed automatic transmission, but neither feels especially sporty or quick. In short, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L is a luxury SUV for those looking for a luxury SUV.
While the interior of the Jeep Grand Cherokee l is an improvement over its predecessor, it is still a bit dated. A hood design that’s more upright and less boxy than in the Highlander is a plus, and a more upmarket feel helps, too. The rear view mirrors are also a plus, and the rear-facing camera is a plus.
Jeep Grand Cherokee L Vs Toyota Highlander – 3.6-liter V6
The 3.6-liter V6 Jeep Grand Cherokee L is the best option for families, but the 3.5-liter V6 Highlander is a worthy contender, too. Both SUVs have an impressive list of standard features, but the Toyota has more features, including optional all-wheel drive.
Its traction and stability are better than its rival’s, and its safety features are top-notch. The Highlander also has an available all-wheel-drive system, which improves traction and stability while traveling on slick road surfaces.
The biggest difference between the Toyota Highlander and the Jeep Grand Cherokee L is in fuel efficiency. The Highlander uses regular unleaded gasoline, which is more economical and makes buying fuel easier.
In contrast, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L uses mid-grade gas, which costs about five to 40 cents more per gallon. Unless you plan to drive the Highlander for many years, the Highlander might be your best bet for fuel economy.
In terms of power, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L is equipped with two engines: a 3.6-liter V6 with 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and a 5.7-liter Hemi with 357 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. Both engines pair nicely with the eight-speed automatic transmission, but neither feels sporty or quick.
Both SUVs are capable of handling a wide variety of conditions, but the Jeep Grand Cherokee L fits the luxury SUV niche in the Jeep lineup.
Jeep Grand Cherokee L Vs Toyota Highlander – Active Driving Assist
When it comes to safety features, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has the upper hand over the Toyota Highlander. The Grand Cherokee has Active Driving Assist, hands-free driving on select highways, and a rear camera that can identify vehicles behind you.
Both vehicles are similar when it comes to standard safety features, but the Jeep is the clear winner when it comes to advanced safety features.
The Highlander has a more expensive price tag, but the Grand Cherokee L comes with an impressive list of off-road features. Both SUVs have Class-Exclusive Quadra-Lift air suspension and Selec-Terrain traction management systems.
However, the Highlander has an optional off-road system. If you’re into extreme off-roading, the Grand Cherokee has an available Trailhawk trim that provides additional off-road features.
The Grand Cherokee L also features standard massaging front seats, which the Highlander lacks. Active Driving Assist on the Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs Toyota Highlander will let you park your car on your own while driving. The Highlander doesn’t offer an automated parking system.
The Grand Cherokee L also has more third-row legroom and headroom. This makes it a more spacious vehicle in many respects.
Hands-free Active Driving Assist is a feature that will be available in 2022 on all Grand Cherokee models. This will add a hands-free driving function to the Jeep Active Driving Assist system, a feature similar to the Cadillac Super Cruise.
Active Driving Assist will ensure that the vehicle stays within its lane and not drift away from it. If you’re looking for a high-tech vehicle with advanced safety features, the Grand Cherokee L is the way to go.
Seating
There are many similarities between the Toyota Highlander and Jeep Grand Cherokee, but the two SUVs are vastly different. Although the Highlander is smaller, its rear seat is larger. It also holds about the same amount of groceries. You can also get around the same amount of miles from either vehicle.
In general, the Jeep SUV has better fuel economy and a better ride than its rival. However, the Toyota Highlander has more features, a more comfortable interior, and a higher price tag.
The two SUVs offer plenty of room inside, but the Highlander is a bit tighter in the third row. It has a very narrow accessway and seats that are flat. The third row may be better suited for children, but it’s not very practical. Neither SUV is very comfortable on long drives. But if you’re a family of five, you won’t have to worry about space.
When comparing the seating for the two SUVs, you’ll notice that the Jeep Grand Cherokee L is bigger on the outside. The Toyota Highlander offers three rows of seats, but its third row seats don’t slide or recline. The third row seats are low on legroom and basically lie flat on the floor.
You can’t even get a USB charging port in them. But the Toyota Highlander does have an excellent cargo space and a deep underfloor bin.
Reliability
In a reliability test, the Highlander earned the highest score, while the Grand Cherokee L received the lowest. While both vehicles receive the highest overall score, there are key differences between them.
For example, the Highlander has a pushrod engine while the Grand Cherokee L uses an overhead cam design. This means that if a collision occurs, the Highlander’s airbags will be deployed before the Grand Cherokee L’s.
While the Highlander scored a poor rating in crash tests, the Grand Cherokee has a better package of standard safety features. Both models include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alerts.
Both vehicles also offer Safety Connect (r) systems that let you call 911 in an emergency. The system even provides a 24-hour response center if you need it.
When comparing features, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L has an edge over the Highlander. Its higher stature and bigger interior means that it provides a more stable ride in tight corners. It also offers two engine options, ranging from 290 horsepower to 357 horsepower, while the Highlander only comes with two.
However, despite these similarities, the Jeep Grand Cherokee L has a higher horsepower rating and more standard safety features.
Both vehicles have strong fuel economy, though the Highlander scored higher in fuel economy than the Jeep. The Jeep Grand Cherokee L has a better third row, slightly more cargo space, better handling, and a nicer interior. However, its performance is not nearly as good as the Toyota, and it does not ride as nicely.
It also has a disappointing throttle response and a poor fuel economy. Overall, the Toyota Highlander offers more value for money and gets the best fuel economy.
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Price
If you’re looking for a mid-size SUV, consider the Jeep Grand Cherokee L versus the Toyota Highlander price. While the Jeep costs more than the Toyota, the Highlander costs less. Both cars start at around $38,000 for the base Laredo trim.
Depending on the options you select, you may be able to save money by opting for a lower trim. But in the case of the Jeep, you may find it difficult to park in parking lots.
The Toyota Highlander has a better interior, with leather upholstery and a head-up display. However, the Grand Cherokee L offers more features, including heated and massaging front seats, open-pore wood trim, and Bluetooth.
In addition, the Jeep has optional air suspension, which offers 10.8 inches of ground clearance, 2.8 inches more than the Highlander. And if you’re looking for a rugged SUV, the Highlander has standard all-wheel drive and hill-descent control.
The Grand Cherokee L has an impressive list of features. The interior space is spacious, and the larger stature makes it easier to handle tight turns. The Jeep also offers two engines: a V6 and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder. Both engines are powerful, but the Toyota Highlander’s V6 is more fuel-efficient. Overall, however, it’s a close call. Whether you opt for a Jeep Grand Cherokee or a Toyota Highlander, remember that both vehicles offer plenty of room for passengers and cargo.