Compare the2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee LVS 2023 Subaru Ascent

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
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 Subaru Ascent doesn’t offer height-adjustable middle 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 Ascent doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

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 Ascent 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. Only the Ascent Premium/Limited/Touring offers a blind spot warning system.

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. Only the Ascent Premium/Limited/Touring offers Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Both the Grand Cherokee L and the Ascent have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

Warranty

Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance on the Grand Cherokee L for 3 years and unlimited miles. Jeep will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance (up to 3 oil changes). Subaru doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Ascent.

There are almost 4 times as many Jeep dealers as there are Subaru dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Grand Cherokee L’s warranty.

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 Ascent’s 530-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 Ascent’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Jeep vehicles are more reliable than Subaru With 25 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Jeep higher than Subaru.

Engine

The Grand Cherokee L’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 33 more horsepower (293 vs. 260) than the Ascent’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder. The Grand Cherokee L’s optional 5.7 V8 produces 97 more horsepower (357 vs. 260) and 113 lbs.-ft. more torque (390 vs. 277) than the Ascent’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Jeep Grand Cherokee L is faster than the Subaru Ascent:

	Grand Cherokee L V6	Grand Cherokee L V8	Ascent
Zero to 60 MPH	7.3 sec	6.1 sec	7.5 sec
Quarter Mile	15.5 sec	14.6 sec	16 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	89.9 MPH	94.5 MPH	88.6 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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 Ascent doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Grand Cherokee L V6’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 Ascent doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Grand Cherokee L has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Ascent (23 vs. 19.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Grand Cherokee L 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 Ascent doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Jeep Grand Cherokee L higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Subaru Ascent (3). This means the Grand Cherokee L produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Ascent every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Grand Cherokee L	Ascent
Front Rotors	13.9 inches	13.1 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	13 inches

The Grand Cherokee L stops shorter than the Ascent:

	Grand Cherokee L	Ascent
60 to 0 MPH	123 feet	125 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Grand Cherokee L has larger standard tires than the Ascent (265/60R18 vs. 245/60R18). The Grand Cherokee L Summit’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Ascent (275/45R21 vs. 245/60R18).

The Grand Cherokee L Summit’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Ascent Onyx/Limited/Touring’s 50 series tires.

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

The Grand Cherokee L 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 Ascent doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

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 Ascent; 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 Ascent’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 Ascent’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 Ascent doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Grand Cherokee L has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Ascent doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Grand Cherokee L’s wheelbase is 7.9 inches longer than on the Ascent (121.7 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Grand Cherokee L is 1 inch wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Ascent.

The Grand Cherokee L’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the Ascent’s (54.2% to 45.8%). This gives the Grand Cherokee L more stable handling and braking.

The Grand Cherokee L Summit 4x4 handles at .81 G’s, while the Ascent Limited pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Grand Cherokee L Overland/Summit has a 2.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Ascent (10.9 vs. 8.7 inches), allowing the Grand Cherokee L to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The front grille of the Grand Cherokee L uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Ascent doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

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

Passenger Space

The Grand Cherokee L has 5.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Ascent (159.1 vs. 153.2).

The Grand Cherokee L has .8 inches more rear legroom and 1.1 inches more third row headroom than the Ascent.

Cargo Capacity

The Grand Cherokee L’s cargo area provides more volume than the Ascent.

	Grand Cherokee L	Ascent
Third Seat Folded	46.9 cubic feet	43.5 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	84.6 cubic feet	75.6 cubic feet

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

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

Towing

The Grand Cherokee L’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Ascent’s (3500 vs. 2000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Subaru Ascent is only 5000 pounds. The Grand Cherokee L 4x4 offers up to a 7200 lbs. towing capacity.

The Grand Cherokee L 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 L can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Ascent can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Servicing Ease

The Grand Cherokee L uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Ascent uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory seat in the Ascent Limited/Touring, 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 Limited/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 Ascent doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 Ascent 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 Ascent doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The power windows standard on both the Grand Cherokee L and the Ascent have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Grand Cherokee L is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Ascent prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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 Ascent’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

On a hot day the Grand Cherokee L’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Ascent can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 Ascent’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Grand Cherokee L’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Subaru only offers heated mirrors on the Ascent Premium/Limited/Touring.

When the Grand Cherokee L Overland/Summit is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Ascent’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

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 Ascent doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

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 Ascent.

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 Ascent doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The Grand Cherokee L is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Ascent doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Recommendations

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

The Jeep Grand Cherokee outsold the Subaru Ascent by almost four to one during 2022.

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