Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Jeep Liberty

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of the most rugged and capable sport utility vehicles in its class. Its strong off-road abilities and long list of available powertrains and options make it a compelling choice, even when compared against competitors in this hotly contested segment. Buyers who want the capabilities of a Jeep Wrangler and need room for a family will be pleased with the Grand Cherokee's configuration.

For the 2008 model year, the Grand Cherokee gets minor updates that come in the form of new tech features, off-road capability upgrades, and a handful of new safety features. The SUV’s exterior has been lightly revised with a new grille and headlight design.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee targets new-car buyers who want a robust off-roader with the comfort of a family SUV. It competes with the Ford Explorer, the Honda Pilot, the Toyota Highlander, the GMC Envoy, and the Nissan Pathfinder. Trim levels in Canada include Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited, and Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland.

The Grand Cherokee is available with a whopping five engine choices, three of which are rowdy V8s. There’s even a torque-rich diesel engine that delivers excellent fuel economy.

The standard mill is a 3.7-litre V6 with power specs of 215 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque. A 4.7-litre V8 is available that makes 305 horsepower and 334 pound-feet of torque. Next, there’s a 5.7-litre HEMI V8 that produces 325 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The range-topping gas engine is a 6.1-litre HEMI V8. Exclusive to the SRT8 model, it makes 420 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. The Mercedes-sourced diesel is a 3.0-litre V6 with 215 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard, as is four-wheel drive (the rear-wheel drive version sold in the US is not offered here).

The Jeep Liberty is an off-road-ready compact SUV with the heart and soul of the brand’s much heartier vehicles. It’s able to climb, crawl, and wade through much stiffer terrain than its tiny size would suggest, and it makes use of four-wheel drive (4WD) and a solid rear axle to get through the tough stuff.

The Liberty is targeted at new-car buyers who want a rugged and capable SUV to take them where more pedestrian vehicles just can’t go. It competes with the Toyota RAV4, the Honda CR-V, and the Subaru Forester. Jeep offers the Liberty in just two trim levels: Jeep Liberty Sport and Jeep Liberty Limited Edition. Though it slots below models like the Grand Cherokee, the Liberty carries much of the same styling and off-roading attitude as those pricier models.

A single engine is available for the 2007 model year: A 3.7-litre V6 engine that produces 210 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque. Power hits all four wheels through a six-speed manual transmission by default, but a four-speed automatic transmission is available on Sport and standard on the Limited Edition.