The Grand Cherokee and the Explorer come up constantly when south Mississippi families are shopping a mid-size SUV. They're in the same price range on the used market and they're both capable vehicles — but they're built very differently and they serve different buyers. Comparing them on spec sheets alone misses what actually matters.
Here's the honest breakdown.
How They're Built
The Grand Cherokee (2014-2021 WK2 generation, the most common used find) is a traditional body-on-frame-adjacent SUV with serious off-road engineering. The Explorer (2011-2019, also common) is a unibody crossover — it rides like a car because it's built closer to one than to a truck.
| Grand Cherokee (2014-2021) | Explorer (2011-2019) | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Traditional SUV, truck-derived | Unibody crossover, car-based |
| Third row | No (two-row only) | Yes (optional, seats 7) |
| Max tow rating | 7,200 lb with Hemi V8 | 5,000-5,600 lb |
| Off-road | Quadra-Trac, real trail capability | AWD, light off-road |
| Ride quality | Solid, firmer | Car-like, smoother daily |
| Best fit | Outdoors, towing, two-row family | Three rows, suburban hauler |
The Third Row Question
This is where most families make their decision. The standard Grand Cherokee is a two-row vehicle. If you need to seat seven, the Explorer does it — the third row is optional on most trims and works well for kids, and tight but usable for adults on shorter trips.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee L with three rows arrived in 2021. On the used market it's larger, newer, and pricier than a 2016-2020 Grand Cherokee. If you genuinely need the third row at a lower price point, the Explorer wins it outright in the WK2 generation.
If you will never fill the third row — or you primarily need the back for cargo — that difference stops mattering.
Towing
The Grand Cherokee with the 5.7L Hemi V8 pulls up to 7,200 pounds. The Explorer V6 tops out around 5,600. If you're pulling a bay boat, a loaded camper, or a utility trailer across the Pine Belt from Petal to the coast, that gap matters. If your trailer weighs under 4,500 pounds, either SUV handles it.
For buyers who own anything in the serious-tow category, the Grand Cherokee is the right vehicle.
Off-Road
South Mississippi has dirt boat ramps, hunting lease roads, farm gates at the bottom of wet slopes, and clay that doesn't drain after heavy rain. The Grand Cherokee with Quadra-Trac II or Quadra-Drive II is built for that. Selec-Terrain modes for mud, sand, and rock, a real transfer case with 4-Lo, and approach angles designed for actual off-pavement use.
The Explorer is AWD. It handles wet pavement and light gravel without complaint. In soft ground, on actual trails, or getting traction at a flooded boat ramp, it's not in the same conversation as the Jeep.
If you spend regular time off pavement, the Grand Cherokee is the call.
Reliability: Know the Issues
Grand Cherokee: The 5.7L Hemi is a solid engine with a long track record. The known trouble spots are mostly electrical. The Totally Integrated Power Module on 2011-2015 models developed gremlins for a segment of owners — random stalling, power accessories failing. The 2016-2021 models improved on this. Check the CARFAX for electrical-related service history, and listen for any hesitation or misfires on a cold start.
Explorer: The 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder and 2.0L EcoBoost had documented oil dilution issues on some 2015-2019 examples. The 3.5L EcoBoost V6 is the stronger engine choice if you're towing or putting on serious miles. The 2011-2017 Explorers had a recall related to exhaust fumes entering the cabin — confirm it's been resolved before buying. Most affected vehicles have been addressed, but verify.
Who Should Buy Which
Buy the Grand Cherokee if: You want genuine off-road capability, your towing needs run above 5,600 pounds, or you don't need the third row and want a more capable working SUV.
Buy the Explorer if: A seven-passenger seat count is a real need for your family, your daily driving is mostly paved roads, and a car-like ride matters more than off-pavement ability.
Neither is a wrong choice for most buyers. The question is which set of trade-offs fits your actual life.
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Browse used SUVs at Dykes Motors. Every vehicle comes with a CARFAX and is inspected before it hits the front line. Get pre-qualified before you make the drive — soft pull, no score impact, real numbers. Ready to trade your current SUV? Get a same-day offer.
We're at 3069 Hwy 49 in Collins. Call (601) 516-7255. Open Monday through Friday 9 to 6, Saturday 9 to 2.