Compare the2022 BMW X3 MVS 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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The X3 M’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Grand Cherokee SRT doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The BMW X3 M has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Grand Cherokee SRT doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests front crash prevention systems. With a score of 6 points, IIHS rates the City Collision Mitigation optional in the X3 M as “Superior.” The Grand Cherokee SRT scores only 2 points and is rated only “Advanced.”

The X3 M has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Grand Cherokee SRT doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The X3 M offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Grand Cherokee SRT only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The X3 M’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Grand Cherokee SRT doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the X3 M and the Grand Cherokee SRT have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW X3 M is safer than the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT:

	X3 M	Grand Cherokee SRT
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	102	102
Leg Forces (l/r)	116/280 lbs.	563/457 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	176	295
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Compression	72 lbs.	103 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	183/114 lbs.	574/680 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the BMW X3 M is safer than the Grand Cherokee SRT:

	X3 M	Grand Cherokee SRT
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Restraints	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Head injury index	118	172
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Steering Column Movement Rearward	0 cm	5 cm
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Femur Force R/L	.1/.1 kN	4.9/2.3 kN
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	3%/0%
Lower Leg Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Tibia index R/L	.25/.23	1.06/.54
Tibia forces R/L	1.2/.9 kN	2.3/1.3 kN

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the BMW X3 M is safer than the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT:

	X3 M	Grand Cherokee SRT
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.8 inches
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	13 inches
Hip Force	624 lbs.	652 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, with its optional front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X3 M its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 113 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Grand Cherokee SRT was not even a standard “Top Pick” for 2016.

Warranty

The X3 M comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Grand Cherokee SRT’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The X3 M’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Grand Cherokee SRT’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the X3 M have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the engine in the Grand Cherokee SRT.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is ranked 24th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 7 places higher in reliability than Jeep.

Engine

The X3 M Competition’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 28 more horsepower (503 vs. 475) and 9 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 470) than the Grand Cherokee SRT’s 6.4 V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the X3 M Competition is faster than the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT:

	X3 M	Grand Cherokee SRT
Zero to 60 MPH	4 sec	4.4 sec
Quarter Mile	12.3 sec	13.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	117.3 MPH	103.6 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the X3 M gets better mileage than the Grand Cherokee SRT:

			MPG
X3 M
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl.	15 city/20 hwy
		Competition 3.0 turbo 6-cyl.	15 city/20 hwy
Grand Cherokee SRT
	AWD	6.4 OHV V8	13 city/19 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the X3 M’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Grand Cherokee SRT doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the X3 M’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Grand Cherokee SRT doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X3 M higher (3 out of 10) than the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT (1). This means the X3 M produces up to 22.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Grand Cherokee SRT every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the X3 M’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Grand Cherokee SRT:

	X3 M	Grand Cherokee SRT
Front Rotors	15.6 inches	15 inches
Rear Rotors	14.6 inches	13.8 inches

The X3 M stops shorter than the Grand Cherokee SRT:

	X3 M	Grand Cherokee SRT
60 to 0 MPH	104 feet	106 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The X3 M Competition’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Grand Cherokee SRT’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X3 M Competition has standard 21-inch wheels. The Grand Cherokee SRT’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

Suspension and Handling

The X3 M’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.1% to 49.9%) than the Grand Cherokee SRT’s (55% to 45%). This gives the X3 M more stable handling and braking.

The X3 M Competition handles at .95 G’s, while the Grand Cherokee SRT pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X3 M Competition executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.2 seconds quicker than the Grand Cherokee SRT (24.2 seconds @ .86 average G’s vs. 26.4 seconds @ .71 average G’s).

Chassis

The BMW X3 M may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 pounds less than the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT.

The X3 M is 3.8 inches shorter than the Grand Cherokee SRT, making the X3 M easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The front step up height for the X3 M is 2.2 inches lower than the Grand Cherokee SRT (18.5” vs. 20.7”). The X3 M’s rear step up height is 2.3 inches lower than the Grand Cherokee SRT’s (18.5” vs. 20.8”).

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the X3 M easier. The X3 M’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.5 inches, while the Grand Cherokee SRT’s liftover is 32.6 inches.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X3 M’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Grand Cherokee SRT doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the X3 M’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Grand Cherokee SRT doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Jeep. J.D. Power ranks BMW 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 46% lower rating, Jeep is ranked 28th.

Ergonomics

The X3 M offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Grand Cherokee SRT doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The X3 M’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Grand Cherokee SRT’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The X3 M’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Grand Cherokee SRT’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The X3 M’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Grand Cherokee SRT’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X3 M has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Grand Cherokee SRT doesn’t offer cornering lights. The X3 M also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The X3 M’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Grand Cherokee SRT’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

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