2011 Ford Explorer vs. 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Once upon a time the Ford and Jeep Grand Cherokee were the SUV sales winners year on year and dominated the market. But with rise in gas price customers have drifted away from the gas run SUVs to more efficient crossovers. Looks like most customers enjoy the design and the size but not the typical towing and rough features.

Both Explorer and Grand Cherokee have crossed over onto unibody platforms Jeep stays popular with off -roading equipment based on rear wheel drive. The Grand Cherokee is prevalent with new air suspension system called Quadra-lift which adjusts height by lowering or uplifting by 1.5 inches in each direction. Different 4X4 systems are provided with new select Tarrain system which helps drive to choose options such as Auto, Rock, Mud, Sport and Snow, this works on traction control, jeep height and other settings.

Ford Explorer is based on the Taurus’s front wheel drive that allows lighter weight and better fuel efficiency. Ford has equipped the Explorer with Tarrain Management System for all rough roads. The explorer works with the front wheels as they are channelized decisively but it doesn’t have a body lean like earlier It has also added a feature called Curve control is added for the pavement driving. This works by reducing the engine power and using breaks if a Driver enters the pavement too fast.

Explorer and Grand Cherokee have both got a complete new look. Explorer gets an aerodynamics design with flexible lower air dam which is in aligned with rest of the body. The wing tipped headlights; three bar grille, there is grated openings in three bar grille and contoured lines in bumper and the hood.

The Grand Cherokee continues with a traditional jeep design. The seven slot grille with elusive indentation on each side to visually connect to the headlights. The Grand has a brawny look but not the aerodynamic of Explorer.

Both have leather front seats, back up camera, ignition without a key. The Grand has continued with the three row seats but has become spacious for rear passengers. Has wider opening doors and 5.3 inch long wheel base and has more space for legroom than earlier.

Both have six cylinders and new V-6 engines. While Explorer uses 3.5 litre wit h290 hp and 255 lb ft of torque, Grand Cherokee uses a 3.7 litre V-6 but the best one is 5.7 ltr Hemi V-8 which is getting popular.

The interiorsof both is worth mentioning. The Grand dashboard have more traditional SUV design. It has a dual panel sunroof from front to back with adjustable option in the front. The Jeep has a new uconnect Guradian provides automatic accident notification, emergency calling option, remote door unlock. The SIRIUS Travel Link provides gas price updates, weather conditions, sport scores, movies listings and navigation system.

The Explorer comes with lot much new technology. It gets hill start assistance, air filtration, media hub, Ford’s MyKey system and other regular features which are common in all Ford cars.

More with limited model one can get you remote starting, ambient lighting, adjustable pedals, a Sony audio system with 12 speakers , push-button start, and a universal garage door opener. Voice-activated navigation is available along with park assist, adaptive cruise control, collision warning, rain-sensing wipers, and last but not least, HID headlights.