Clintonville, WI drivers: finding the right blend between off-road capability and a premium interior can be tricky. There are lots of superb options on the road. Today, we are going to take a look at the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the 2022 Toyota Highlander. Both are similarly outfitted, but depending on your needs, one might take favor over the other. Learn more about these dynamic SUVs below.
Engines
The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers up some impressive powertrain options. A standard 3.6-liter V6 engine is good for a reliable 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. For an eco-friendly option, a two-liter four-cylinder plug-in hybrid offers excellent fuel economy plus a whopping 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. Additionally, a 5.7-liter V8 engine is available, with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. All of these powertrain systems are connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The Toyota Highlander only features one engine: a 3.5-liter V6, producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. This is not nearly as much flexibility as the Grand Cherokee provides, but it is certainly more than enough power to help you get around if the rest of the Highlander's features fit your needs.
Performance
The Highlander provides Shawano, WI drivers with some lively torque. For a three-row SUV, this machine hops to it, going from zero to 60 MPH in 7.5 seconds. Plus, the torque-vectoring AWD system provides incredibly breezy handling, helping to mitigate body roll. This large SUV is a joy to drive, which can't be said for other vehicles of this size.
The Grand Cherokee beats out the Highlander off the line by one second, clocking in a 6.5 seconds going from zero to 60 MPH. That being said, the Grand Cherokee does underperform with handling on-road. While this vehicle doesn't feel excessively bulky, windy roads and quick turns require a bit more forethought than what is asked of you in the Highlander. Off-road is where the Grand Cherokee shines, keeping with the Jeep tradition. The Quadra-Trac II 4WD system is worth upgrading to if you plan to go on adventures in the Grand Cherokee, and the adjustable air suspension will make any terrain easy to navigate.
Interior and Tech
Both of these vehicles are well-equipped on the interior. The edge may go to the Highlander if you're interested in maximum seating capacity. The Highlander has three rows of seating while the Grand Cherokee only has two rows. If you need to transport the whole crew, the Highlander may be the move.
In terms of tech, the Grand Cherokee boasts an 8.4-inch central touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Six USB ports make for easy charging. Upper trims include a larger touchscreen, leather upholstery covering heated seats, and a nine-speaker Alpine audio system. Trim-topping features include four-zone automatic climate control, a wireless charging pad, and a head-up display.
The base model Highlander comes with tri-zone automatic climate control, an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot, and keyless entry and ignition. A wireless charging pad is offered with the XLE trim, as well as heated front seats and simulated leather upholstery. The Limited trim offers ventilated front seats, an 11-speaker JBL audio system, and an intercom system. The Platinum trim offers the best of the best with a panoramic sunroof, a digital rearview mirror, and heated second-row seats.
Safety
The Highlander includes Toyota's Safety Sense 2.5+ suite with frontal collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, a lane-keeping system, and a traffic sign reader. The Grand Cherokee is similarly equipped with adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision mitigation, and rear parking sensors.
Visit our Dealership near New London, WI
Now's the time to find your next SUV. Browse our new inventory online now, and then visit Klein Automotive to take a test drive.