Compare the2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee LVS 2023 Chevrolet Traverse

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

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and middle seat shoulder belts of the Jeep Grand Cherokee L are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Chevrolet Traverse doesn’t offer height-adjustable front seat belts.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee L 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 Traverse doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Grand Cherokee L has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Traverse doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Grand Cherokee L has standard ParkSense Rear Park Assist with Stop that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Traverse doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Grand Cherokee L Overland/Summit helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The Traverse doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The Grand Cherokee L has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Traverse’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Grand Cherokee L has standard Rear Cross Path Detection, helping the driver avoid collisions. Chevrolet charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Traverse.

The Grand Cherokee L Summit’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 Traverse doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Grand Cherokee L and the Traverse have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Jeep Grand Cherokee L is safer than the Traverse:

	Grand Cherokee L	Traverse
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	312 lbs.	446 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	1.06 in	1.3 in
Shoulder Force	178 lbs.	312 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.3 in	1.5 in
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	870 lbs.	1116 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head Injury Criterion	96	189
Neck Tension	67 lbs.	134 lbs.
Neck Compression	134 lbs.	201 lbs.
Shoulder Force	268 lbs.	290 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Grand Cherokee L its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 36 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Traverse last would have qualified as only a standard “Top Safety Pick” in 2017.

Warranty

The Grand Cherokee L’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Traverse’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance on the Grand Cherokee L for 3 years and unlimited miles. Jeep will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance (up to 3 visits). Chevrolet only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Traverse.

Reliability

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Grand Cherokee L has a standard 850-amp battery (700 V8 and 900 V6 Overland/Summit). The Traverse’s 600-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

The battery on the Grand Cherokee L is under the seat, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Grand Cherokee L’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Traverse’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

Engine

The Grand Cherokee L’s optional 5.7 V8 produces 47 more horsepower (357 vs. 310) and 124 lbs.-ft. more torque (390 vs. 266) than the Traverse’s 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Jeep Grand Cherokee L V8 is faster than the Chevrolet Traverse:

	Grand Cherokee L	Traverse
Zero to 60 MPH	6.1 sec	6.7 sec
Quarter Mile	14.6 sec	15.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94.5 MPH	90.6 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Grand Cherokee L 3.6 DOHC V6 4x4 gets better fuel mileage than the Traverse AWD (18 city/25 hwy vs. 17 city/25 hwy).

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Grand Cherokee L V8’s fuel efficiency. The Traverse doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Grand Cherokee L has 3.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Traverse FWD’s standard fuel tank (23 vs. 19.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Grand Cherokee L has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Traverse AWD’s standard fuel tank (23 vs. 21.7 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Grand Cherokee L’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Traverse:

	Grand Cherokee L	Traverse
Front Rotors	13.9 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	12.4 inches

The Grand Cherokee L’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Traverse are solid, not vented.

The Grand Cherokee L stops much shorter than the Traverse:

	Grand Cherokee L	Traverse
60 to 0 MPH	123 feet	135 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Grand Cherokee L has larger standard tires than the Traverse (265/60R18 vs. 255/65R18). The Grand Cherokee L Summit’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Traverse (275/45R21 vs. 255/65R18).

The Grand Cherokee L’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Traverse’s standard 65 series tires. The Grand Cherokee L Summit’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Traverse’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Grand Cherokee L Summit offers optional 21-inch wheels. The Traverse’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The Grand Cherokee L offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Traverse; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

Suspension and Handling

The Grand Cherokee L has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Traverse’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Grand Cherokee L offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Traverse’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Grand Cherokee L offers an optional automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Grand Cherokee L’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Traverse doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Grand Cherokee L’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the Traverse’s (56.6% to 43.4%). This gives the Grand Cherokee L more stable handling and braking.

The Grand Cherokee L Overland 4x4 handles at .82 G’s, while the Traverse Premier AWD pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Grand Cherokee L Overland 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Traverse Premier AWD (27.3 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Grand Cherokee L’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Traverse’s (38.4 feet vs. 39 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Grand Cherokee L Laredo/Limited has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Traverse (8.5 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the Grand Cherokee L to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Grand Cherokee L Overland/Summit’s minimum ground clearance is 3.4 inches higher than on the Traverse (10.9 vs. 7.5 inches).

Passenger Space

The Grand Cherokee L has .3 inches more front legroom and 1 inch more rear legroom than the Traverse.

Cargo Capacity

Pressing a button automatically lowers the Grand Cherokee L Overland/Summit’s second and third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Traverse doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Grand Cherokee L. The Traverse doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The Grand Cherokee L’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Traverse’s (3500 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Chevrolet Traverse is only 5000 pounds. The Grand Cherokee L 4x4 offers up to a 7200 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Grand Cherokee L uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Traverse doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Grand Cherokee L is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Traverse. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Traverse Premier/High Country, the Grand Cherokee L Limited/Overland/Summit offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position (with optional power wheel adjuster), outside mirror angle and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Grand Cherokee L’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Traverse does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Grand Cherokee L Overland/Summit offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed 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 Traverse doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Grand Cherokee L Overland/Summit’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 Traverse’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically.

The Grand Cherokee L’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Traverse’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. The Grand Cherokee L’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield.

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 Grand Cherokee L’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Traverse’s headlights are rated “Poor.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Grand Cherokee L has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Traverse doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Optional air conditioned front and second row seats keep the Grand Cherokee L’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The Traverse doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The Grand Cherokee L has a standard center folding armrest for the middle row passengers. A center armrest helps make middle row passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Traverse doesn’t offer a middle row seat center armrest.

The Grand Cherokee L Overland Lux Tech/Summit has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Traverse.

The Grand Cherokee L Summit’s Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Traverse doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

The Jeep Grand Cherokee outsold the Chevrolet Traverse by over two to one during 2022.