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2018 GMC Acadia vs. 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Which Is Best?
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk front quarter hero ・ Photo by Ron Sessions
The 2018 GMC Acadia and 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee represent two of the best choices you can make in the crowded mid-size SUV field, and also two of the most luxurious options.
We’ll take a close look at each one across nine different competitive dimensions, and see which one gets our nod as the best. Of course, your personal assessment could be different, and that’s OK too.
Trim Levels and Pricing
The 2018 GMC Acadia comes in six different trim levels, ranging from the basic SL to the top Denali. The most SL seats seven passengers on cloth seats for a retail price of $29,995. There are two SLE trim options that each add a few useful features, and two SLT versions that add luxury features like a V6 engine and leather seats. With all-wheel drive, the priciest SLT variant retails for $44,790. The Denali trim starts at an affordable $47,990 and includes heated seats in the first two rows, an 8-inch infotainment screen, and 20-inch wheels.
Jeep offers up to 12 different trim levels of the Grand Cherokee, from the most basic Laredo at $28,840 after incentives, up to the top Trackhawk special edition with a supercharged 707-horsepower V8 engine at $87,645. Jeep’s many trim levels offer luxurious interiors like the Sterling edition at $40,940, and also more urban or capable four-wheel drive systems such as the off-road-oriented Trailhawk at $42,040. With a dozen to choose from, there’s a Grand Cherokee at every price point.
Photo by Jeep
Interior Luxury
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit edition is the most luxurious of the lineup, with a racing-inspired look that includes perforated leather seating for five, a leather sport steering wheel, and soft-touch quilted door panels. On the few spaces not covered in leather, you’ll enjoy the touch of real open-pore wood inlays and aluminum trim bezels. The front and outboard rear seats and the steering wheel are heated, and the front seats are ventilated.
For luxury, the GMC Acadia Denali is the trim to examine. Instead of the second-row bench seat for three passengers, the Denali includes captain’s chairs for six-passenger seating. The front and second-row seats are heated and trimmed in cool perforated leather. Both front seats are ventilated and have eight-way power adjustment, including lumbar support. The steering wheel is power-adjustable and heated, too.
GMC Acadia
Photo by Ron Sessions
Cargo and Passenger Volume
The Acadia offers three rows of seating for up to seven passengers in a 2-3-2 configuration with the standard bench seat in the second row. Even the top Denali trim offers seven-passenger seating as an option, in addition to the 2-2-2 six-passenger configuration. The second row provides Smart Slide on the passenger side, which tilts the seat forward slightly while sliding for easier access to the third row. With the second and third rows folded, the Acadia offers 79 cubic feet of cargo space.
The Grand Cherokee comes with two rows of seats for five passengers. The second row is a 60/40 split that can be folded down separately. The Grand Cherokee also offers a special fold-flat front passenger seat for maximum cargo capacity for long items. With the rear seat folded, the Grand Cherokee has 68.3 cubic feet of cargo space.
Photo by Ron Sessions
Technology and Infotainment
The Jeep Grand Cherokee features a standard 7-inch touchscreen display featuring the Uconnect smartphone integration system. Both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay advanced phone integration systems are supported on all trims, along with voice control and two USB ports. Higher trim levels upgrade to an 8.4-inch Uconnect system with GPS navigation, and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon sound system is available on the top trims. A rear-seat entertainment system is also optional.
GMC equips all its models with an onboard 4G/LTE data connection and the ability to create a Wi-Fi signal inside the vehicle. The base trims of the Acadia include a 7-inch touchscreen, and an 8-inch upgrade touchscreen is available with GPS navigation. Both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are supported. Optionally, an active tow system helps you back up to your trailer and hitch up.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Photo by Jeep
Advanced Safety Features
Most advanced safety features are optional on the Acadia, but the available technology includes a blind-spot monitoring system, a rear cross-traffic alert for safe parking lot reversing, a backup camera, rear parking assistance, and Teen Driver mode to keep parents aware of driver behavior.
Standard Jeep features include an enhanced accident response system that automatically unlocks doors, cuts off fuel, turns on interior lights and turns on hazard lights in the event of an accident. Optional features include a full-speed forward collision warning with brake assistance, hill-descent control, a lane-departure warning, a backup camera, rain braking support, and trailer sway damping.
Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
Engine and Transmission
The base engine in the Jeep Grand Cherokee is a 3.6-liter V6 rated at 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Optionally, a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 and 5.7-liter Hemi V8 are available on Limited and higher trims. The exception to all this is the performance SRT trim, which features a 6.4-liter V8 with 475 horsepower and 470 torque, and the all-out Trackhawk package, which gets the buyer a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 rated at 707 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque. All Grand Cherokee models get an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The basic GMC Acadia comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 193 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque. The top SLT and Denali trims receive a 3.6-liter V6 engine good for 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. All Acadia models receive a six-speed automatic transmission
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Photo by Ron Sessions
All-Wheel Drive System
The GMC Acadia offers AWD as an option on all trims except the base SL, which is only offered with front-wheel drive. The AWD system is automatic, with an optional off-road capable upgrade available in the mid-grade SLE-2 and SLT-1 trims. The Acadia features the Traction Select terrain system, with Off-Road modes, Snow mode for FWD, Sport mode, and Trailer/Tow mode, if equipped for towing.
Four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive is optional on most Grand Cherokee trims, and standard on the Upland Trailhawk, SRT, and Trackhawk trims. Most Grand Cherokees have the full-time AWD Quadra-Trac system, but the optional Quadra-Drive II system includes high and low-range 4WD, and the available Quadra-Lift air suspension allows ride height adjustment.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
Exterior Styling
Styling is a matter of taste, but the GMC offers a more conventional crossover SUV look, which is bold but elegant, with plenty of chrome and rounded edges. As a three-row SUV, the Acadia is longer and provides plenty of window space for a clear view from all seats.
The Grand Cherokee is more rough-and-ready looking, and with 12 trim levels to choose from, you can go from basic to black-out to luxury or sporty trims. Befitting its Jeep heritage, the Grand Cherokee has a squared-off look, suggesting off-road performance.
Tie
Photo by GMC
Warranty Coverage
The basic Jeep warranty is three years or 36,000 miles, with a five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. There’s also a 60-month rust-through warranty that’s standard, with no maximum mileage.
The GMC Acadia also comes with a three-year, 36,000-mile basic warranty, and a five-year, 60,000-mile powertrain guarantee. GMC also offers five years or 60,000 miles of roadside assistance and courtesy transportation, a three-year, 36,000-mile corrosion warranty, and a six-year, 100,000-mile warranty against rust-through.
GMC Acadia
Photo by General Motors
Our Verdict
The Jeep Grand Cherokee wins on the numbers, but depending on how you configure the Jeep, you can end up with very different vehicles. Jeep is known for its off-road prowess, so it’s expected that engine and 4X4 options will favor the Grand Cherokee.
The GMC Acadia wins on luxury, passenger capacity, and warranty, which may be more important than power and off-road capability to many buyers. The important thing to note is that you’ve got plenty of choices to get the right SUV for your needs.
GMC Acadia
Photo by GMC