Compare 2017 Subaru Forester vs Grand Cherokee

2017 Subaru Forester vs 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Serving Harrisonburg, Dayton, and Massanetta Springs, VA

Although it had its start off-road, the modern SUV has transitioned to the paved surface to ferry a moderate number of riders and freight in a pleasant, economical, and safe manner. The 2017 Subaru Forester fills this order quite nicely. A would-be rival, the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee, tries to move into this notch too. Read on to see how things pan out.

Performance

All Foresters possess all-wheel drive. Things begin with a basic 2.5 liter 4-cylinder Boxer engine produces a capable 170 horsepower. Teamed with a 6-speed manual transmission, it provides an economical 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway while the continuously variable transmission or CVT option moves this up to 26 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. If heavier loads are expected, a turbocharged 2 liter 4-cylinder Boxer makes 250 horsepower. Coupled with a CVT, it gets 23 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. The 2017 Grand Cherokee has four engine choices that are very powerful and very thirsty. Even the most economical, a 3 liter V6 turbodiesel, delivers 240 horses with 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway in 2WD mode. With four-wheel drive, things drop to 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The smallest gas engine available, a 3.6 liter V6, generates 295 horsepower at the cost of 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. It also loses a mile per gallon with 4WD. A 5.7 liter HEMI V8 monster puts out 360 horses with a meager 14 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. The biggest entry, a 6.4 liter V8 blasts out 475 horses at the expense of 13 mpg city and 19 mpg highway.

Roominess

With 108.3 cubic feet of passenger space, the 2017 Forester was designed for the typical 5-member family. This translates into 41.4 inches of headroom up front and 39.8 inches in back. Front legroom is 43 inches while back occupants enjoy 38 inches. With the rear seat lowered, 74.7 cubic feet of payload space opens up. This compares nicely against the 105.4 cubic feet of rider space in the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Grand Cherokee only allows 39.9 inches of headroom and 40.3 inches of legroom for people up front. Second row commuters just get 39.2 inches of headroom and 38.6 inches of legroom. The 68.3 cubic feet created by folding away the rear seat also limits room for merchandise.

Safety

The 2017 Forester is a proven safety winner with its 5-star overall ranking from the NHTSA along with the award of Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. While the Grand Cherokee equipped with 4WD also received 5 stars from NHTSA, the 2WD counterpart only captured 4 stars. From the IIHS, the Grand Cherokee earned mostly Good scores except for a Marginal score for the frontal small overlap collision test. Otherwise, both vehicles have antilock brakes, traction and stability control, airbags, and a rearview camera. Active safety technology like frontal collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring are possibilities on certain models of either vehicle.

SUVs were originally designed for rugged wilderness, and the Grand Cherokee seems to still be stuck in this niche. The 2017 Subaru Forester focuses on the spacious comfort, fuel economy, and safety qualities needed in a civilized setting. To better appreciate all its benefits, test out a Forester at our dealership today.

* EPA-estimated fuel economy. Actual mileage may vary.