Compare the2023 Jeep Grand CherokeeVS 2023 BMW X3

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Jeep Grand Cherokee 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 BMW X3 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Grand Cherokee are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The X3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk/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 X3 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Grand Cherokee and the X3 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, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

Jeep’s powertrain warranty covers the Grand Cherokee 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the X3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 7 times as many Jeep dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Grand Cherokee’s warranty.

The Grand Cherokee has more powerful engines than the X3:

As tested in Motor Trend the Grand Cherokee 4xe is faster than the X3 s/xDrive30i:

On the EPA test cycle the Grand Cherokee running on electricity gets better mileage than the X3:

The Grand Cherokee 4xe can travel with zero emissions for 26 miles. The X3 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Grand Cherokee V8’s fuel efficiency. The X3 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Jeep Grand Cherokee uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended on Grand Cherokee 4xe for maximum performance). The X3 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Grand Cherokee 4xe Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the X3 (19 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Grand Cherokee’s standard fuel tank has 5.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the X3 (23 vs. 17.2 gallons).

The Grand Cherokee has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The X3 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

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

For better traction, the Grand Cherokee Summit’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X3 (275/45R21 vs. 245/45R20).

The Grand Cherokee has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The X3 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Grand Cherokee offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the X3; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare or run-flat tires, either of which has mileage and speed limitations.

The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The X3 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The Grand Cherokee 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’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 X3 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Grand Cherokee’s wheelbase is 3.9 inches longer than on the X3 (116.7 inches vs. 112.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Grand Cherokee is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the X3.

For better maneuverability, the Grand Cherokee’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the X3’s (38 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Grand Cherokee has a greater minimum ground clearance than the X3 (8.4 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Grand Cherokee to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Grand Cherokee Trailhawk Air Suspension’s minimum ground clearance is 2.9 inches higher than on the X3 (10.9 vs. 8 inches).

The Grand Cherokee offers available computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The X3 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Grand Cherokee has 5.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the X3 (107 vs. 101.4).

The Grand Cherokee has 1 inch more front legroom, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 1.8 inches more rear legroom and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the X3.

The Grand Cherokee has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the X3 with its rear seat up (37.7 vs. 28.7 cubic feet). The Grand Cherokee has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X3 with its rear seat folded (70.8 vs. 62.7 cubic feet).

The Grand Cherokee’s cargo area is larger than the X3’s in almost every dimension:

Maximum trailer towing in the BMW X3 is limited to 4400 pounds. The Grand Cherokee 4x4 offers up to a 7200 lbs. towing capacity.

The Grand Cherokee 4WD with optional equipment can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Grand Cherokee can be unhitched and driven around locally. The X3 can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Grand Cherokee 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 X3 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Grand Cherokee has a much higher standard payload capacity than the X3 (1240 vs. 902 lbs.).

The Grand Cherokee has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the X3 (1280 vs. 941 lbs.).

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the X3, the Grand Cherokee 4xe/Limited/Trailhawk/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 Limited/Trailhawk/Overland/Summit’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The X3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Grand Cherokee’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 X3 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Grand Cherokee has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the X3 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Optional air conditioned front and rear seats keep the Grand Cherokee’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The X3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The Grand Cherokee 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 X3.

The Grand Cherokee offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The X3 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the Grand Cherokee owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Grand Cherokee will cost $95 to $3680 less than the X3 over a five-year period.

The Grand Cherokee will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Grand Cherokee will retain 52.29% to 57.18% of its original price after five years, while the X3 only retains 49.78% to 50.55%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Jeep Grand Cherokee will be $2542 to $8852 less than for the BMW X3.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Grand Cherokee third among midsize SUVs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The X3 isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee outsold the BMW X3 by over three to one during the 2022 model year.