Comparison between Jeep Cherokee and GMC Acadia

1. Introduction

The Cherokee and the Acadia are vehicles that can be utilized for large or growing families. Because of this, safety is a main concern in vehicle selection. From a crash test by the NHTSA, the Cherokee received 4 out of 5 stars for the driver and passenger, and 3 out of 5 stars for roll over. This test compared to the Acadia has slightly worse results, as it received top marks being 5 out of 5 stars. This vehicle also has the option of seating 6 or 7 passengers and also a wide capability of car seat anchorage. This is all information for families with growing children, so safety and car seat-friendly vehicles are a main concern. Moving up to the Acadia, the 5-star crash test speaks for itself. The first 3 rows of seating are equipped with head curtain airbags, which is just one factor that contributed to the previous 5-star crash test. And unsatisfied with this, the Acadia offers a Turn-by-Turn navigation system and 6 months of Onstar at no charge. Raising the bar to above satisfactory in terms of safety.

MPG plays an important role in vehicle selection in today's fast-moving world economy. Even though the Cherokee is slightly smaller, it delivers equal gas mileage to the larger Acadia. At 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway, the Cherokee delivers a total average of 19.5 mpg. This is taken from the Cherokee 4X2, as the 4X4 delivers 16 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. As for the gas mileage of the Acadia, it delivers around 19 mpg with both 2WD and 16 mpg with AWD.

Both Jeep Cherokee and GMC Acadia are popular mid-sized SUVs that offer state-of-the-art features, capabilities, and performance. Both these cars boast impressive interiors and exteriors, power capabilities, and ease of control. However, when you look closely under the hood, you'll find that these two cars are really different in terms of engine and performance. For those out in the market seeking a new sports car, the Cherokee and the Acadia compete in terms of price and off-road capabilities.

2. Exterior Design

GMC, on the other hand, offers a full-size SUV that can accommodate up to 7-8 people and still has some cargo space in the back. Being a bigger car and a family car, the GMC Acadia has a bold yet simple design. The nose of the GMC Acadia is uniquely wider and has curved grilles that spread around to the headlights. It has simple but elegant strokes. The height of the car is not too high for a normal car, but combined with its larger width, it gives a sturdy look. The lights are quite big compared to the body, making it look smaller than it is. The bumper design is quite simple, and the shape preserves some aerodynamics.

As for the exterior of this car, the 2018 Jeep Cherokee is a relatively small car and it is very light compared to many other cars. The chief design of this car is on the front, and things are only made to be better with the arrival of the 2018 series. Coming up with less SUV and more of a crossover look, it gives a fresh look that distinguishes it from other Jeep lineups. The slim seven-slot grille is still there with precise, good-looking headlights, and a less rugged bumper design makes it lean forward. Jeep being Jeep, of course, this car is designed to withstand some off-road punishment.

3. Interior Features

The Cherokee's interior is bound to attract a lot of attention, however, the material quality is not as great as it could be. There is a lot of hard plastic used in the cabin which makes the car feel much less luxurious. All models get a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. The Limited model adds heated Nappa leather-trimmed power-adjustable seats, and the Trailhawk gets unique cloth and leather-trimmed bucket seats. The Overland gets some luxury features such as a wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel and ventilated Nappa leather-trimmed power-adjustable seats. The Cherokee has a lot of available cool features such as the wireless phone charger and the built-in humidifier. The Dual-Pane Panoramic Sunroof is also quite an improvement and can give the car a more spacious feel. The only problem is it's only available in the options packages for the more expensive models. Another big feature the Cherokee has is the off-road capability. The Trailhawk gets an Active Drive Lock 4x4 system, increased ride height, off-road suspension, skid plates, and aggressive tires. The Acadia's interior is spacious and well-built and even has a more refined look about it. The seat comfort and quality are better, and there is more space for passengers. The model is also quiet and doesn't allow much noise to creep in. The Acadia also has available features such as a Dual Skyscape Sunroof where the rear passengers get some open air as well. This feature is available on the SLT-1, SLT-2, and Denali. However, the more open air might not be such a good thing for safety because the Acadia has one of the worst rollover ratings in the segment. The interior of the Acadia is more car-like in general, and moving from the first generation to the second was a big change. It was redesigned to feel and function more like a crossover instead of a traditional SUV. This gives it a safer and smoother feel on the road and makes a more efficient use of the space. Both of these 3-row crossovers have some good features, but they are aimed towards different types of consumers. The Jeep Cherokee is better for the more adventurous type of person who might want to get away from the city and go camping or off-roading. The off-road features have more draw for this type of person, and the price makes the Cherokee more appealing to a younger crowd. The GMC Acadia offers a more family-friendly and luxurious package for a bit of a higher price. It's easier to seat people in and out, and there are more safety and tech features, but it doesn't mean you can't go camping in the Acadia. The infotainment system and interior design are better, and it may be a good choice for a road trip vehicle.

4. Performance and Safety

The Jeep Cherokee has a 3.2L Pentastar V6 engine, which can offer the best-in-class towing capability of up to 4,500 pounds. The 2.4L Tigershark MultiAir 2 engine is also available, providing outstanding efficiency and a driving range of up to 474 miles. The engines in the Cherokee are connected to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The transmission is electronically controlled for seamless and smooth shifting. The Cherokee also has a front and rear independent suspension to provide a smooth ride at any speed and on any type of terrain. The Cherokee has a choice between three innovative 4x4 systems to ensure the best four-wheel drive performance. With Selec-Terrain traction control, the driver has the ability to choose the driving mode on the terrain with the turn of a dial. On the inside, the Cherokee has a dual-pane sunroof, which gives the vehicle an open-air experience and feels and acts like a full sunroof and can be locked in any position. With the safety of the Cherokee, it comes equipped with ten airbags to help protect the driver and passengers in the event of a collision. A parallel and perpendicular park assist is also available to help park the Cherokee. The park assist helps drivers find a parking space and will park it if the necessary actions are given to it. A rear backup camera and electronic stability control are also standard in all Jeeps. Dynamic steering torque and cornering control are some additional features equipped on the Cherokee to help maintain vehicle control. A lane sense departure warning system is also available. If the vehicle starts to wander into the other lane, the system will alert the driver and guide the vehicle back into the proper lane. Full-speed forward collision warning with active braking will alert the driver of a potential crash. If the driver does not respond and the collision becomes imminent, the system will automatically apply the brakes. Adaptive cruise control is also available in the Cherokee and will keep a desired distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.