2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2026 Ford Explorer: SUV Capability and Comfort in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan's grid roads, gravel highways, and long winters put real demands on a midsize SUV. Shoppers comparing the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the 2026 Ford Explorer are weighing two different approaches to handling those conditions.
Both SUVs offer strong six-cylinder and turbocharged four-cylinder choices, but how each one tows, grips the trail, and finishes its cabin sets them apart once you get past the brochure.
| Spec | 2026 Grand Cherokee | 2026 Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Max Towing | 6,200 lbs (2,812 kg) | 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) |
| Standard Drivetrain | 4WD, every trim | RWD (base), 4WD/AWD on select trims |
| Turbo Four Output | 324 hp / 332 lb-ft (2.0L) | 300 hp / 310 lb-ft (2.3L) |
| Ground Clearance | Up to 320 mm (Summit) | 193-208 mm (Active, ST, ST-Line, Platinum) |
| Seating Capacity | 5 (two-row) | 7 (three-row) |
| Cargo Behind Rear Seats | 1,067.5 L | ~1,303 L (behind 2nd row) |
Capability, Traction, and Towing
The Grand Cherokee's traction advantage starts with its drivetrain. Every trim, from Laredo to Summit, comes standard with a 4WD system, while the Explorer's base configuration is rear-wheel drive, with 4WD or AWD reserved for trims like Active, ST, ST-Line, and Tremor.
Selec-Terrain 4x4 management is standard from Laredo Altitude up, letting the driver match traction settings to snow, mud, or sand. Summit adds Quadra-Trac II 4x4 with a standard air suspension, which raises ground clearance to 320 mm and lifts the approach angle to 28.2 degrees.
The Explorer Tremor answers with its own off-road package: standard AWD, a Torsen limited-slip differential, all-terrain tires, and underbody protection. But that hardware lives on one trim. The Grand Cherokee's 4WD, terrain modes, and available low-range transfer case (2.72:1) run across the lineup, not held back for a single specialist model.
Towing follows the same pattern. The Grand Cherokee pulls up to 6,200 lbs (2,812 kg) regardless of whether it runs the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 or the new 2.0-litre Hurricane Four. The Explorer's maximum is 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg), even with its optional 400-hp V6.
The Grand Cherokee's base Laredo uses that 3.6-litre V6, rated at 293 hp and 257 lb-ft, slightly behind the Explorer's 300-hp 2.3-litre four. Move up to Laredo Altitude, though, and the new Hurricane Four raises output to 324 hp and 332 lb-ft, ahead of the Explorer's four-cylinder and within reach of its optional 400-hp V6, all while returning an estimated 851 km of range on a single tank.
Payload capacity holds up under load, too. Laredo and Limited carry up to 562 kg and 572 kg, with Summit at 526 kg, giving Grand Cherokee owners real margin for gear on top of the tow rating.
Wheel and tire choices reinforce the trail-versus-street split. Summit Reserve rides on 21-inch wheels, while Limited runs 18-inch wheels with all-season tires. The Explorer Tremor uses 18-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, a setup built for that one off-road trim.
Grand Cherokee off-road hardware includes:
- Selec-Terrain 4x4 system (Laredo Altitude and up)
- Quadra-Trac II 4x4 with standard air suspension (Summit)
- Optional low-range transfer case with a 2.72:1 ratio
- Integrated off-road camera (available on Limited and up)
Cabin Feel, Seating, and Technology
Material choices climb quickly through the Grand Cherokee lineup. Limited adds Silver Silk exterior accents, leatherette upholstery, heated second-row seats, and a nine-speaker Alpine audio system. Limited Reserve layers on Nappa leather, ventilated front seats, a dual-pane sunroof, and a digital rearview mirror.
Summit tops the range with Oak and Liquid Chrome interior accents, Palermo leather, a suede headliner, massaging front seats, and a 19-speaker McIntosh audio system, more speakers than the Explorer offers on any trim.
The Explorer counters with its own tech, including the Ford Digital Experience display and, on Tremor, an optional 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen system with available massaging front seats. That is a strong setup, but Summit still outnumbers it on speaker count, and even mid-range Limited brings heated second-row seats standard, while the Explorer treats comfort features as add-ons on higher trims.
Seating is one area the Explorer holds real ground. Its 7-passenger layout is standard, and folding the third row opens roughly 1,303 litres behind the second row, more than the two-row Grand Cherokee's 1,067.5 litres behind its rear seats. With the second row folded, the Grand Cherokee opens up to 2,004.8 litres, useful for hauling gear even without a third row.
Buyers who want that extra row without leaving the lineup can step up to the three-row Grand Cherokee L, which keeps the same 4x4 systems and terrain modes.
Which Grand Cherokee Fits Your Driving?
Drivers who spend more time on gravel grids and want off-road hardware standard should look at Laredo Altitude. Its Selec-Terrain system and 324-hp Hurricane Four cover most everyday trail and winter driving without stepping up to a specialist trim.
Anyone towing a trailer, boat, or camper regularly gets the same 6,200 lbs (2,812 kg) tow rating on every Grand Cherokee, so the decision comes down to trim features rather than towing math.
Families who need more cargo room or extra seating do not have to leave the Grand Cherokee name behind. The three-row Grand Cherokee L carries the same drivetrain and terrain technology into a bigger footprint.
Buyers chasing the most finished cabin will find it on Summit, with Palermo leather, a suede headliner, and the 19-speaker McIntosh system rounding out the lineup's top trim.
Test-Driving the 2026 Grand Cherokee
The 2026 Grand Cherokee pairs standard 4WD, a 6,200 lb (2,812 kg) tow rating, and trims running from the value-focused Laredo to the McIntosh-equipped Summit, giving drivers a midsize SUV built for gravel roads, trailers, and long winters.
Visit Dodge City Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Saskatoon to see the 2026 Grand Cherokee lineup in person and find the trim that matches how you drive, tow, and pack for the season ahead.
