2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2025 Subaru Ascent
Comparison Overview
If you are torn between getting a vehicle with a bit more traditional power versus one that handles all weather reliably, the 2025 Grand Cherokee L and the 2025 Ascent present a fascinating choice near the $40,000 mark. The Jeep starts slightly cheaper at $39,035 compared to the Ascent's $39,995, but this initial saving might be offset by ongoing costs. The Grand Cherokee L boasts a more powerful 293 hp engine versus the Ascent's 260 hp, though the Subaru claws back some ground with 277 lb-ft of torque against the Jeep's 260 lb-ft. Interestingly, the Ascent is slightly more fuel-efficient, achieving 22 combined MPG versus the Jeep's 21 combined MPG, while offering 17.8 cu ft of cargo room to the Jeep's 17.2 cu ft. However, the crucial difference lies in drivetrain: the Ascent features standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD), making it arguably better suited for challenging conditions than the Grand Cherokee L's Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) setup.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Subaru Ascent
The Subaru Ascent wins for commuters due to its slightly better 22 combined MPG rating and standard AWD for unpredictable road conditions.
2025 Subaru Ascent
The Ascent offers slightly more usable space with 17.8 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Grand Cherokee L's 17.2 cu ft.
2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L
The Jeep Grand Cherokee L appeals more to driving enthusiasts by offering 293 hp, which is significantly higher than the Ascent's 260 hp.
2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L
The Grand Cherokee L provides more horsepower for a lower starting MSRP of $39,035 versus the Ascent's $39,995.
Choose the Jeep Grand Cherokee L if...
- You prioritize having more immediate power, leveraging the Jeep's 293 hp engine.
- You want the absolute lowest starting price point available at $39,035.
- You prefer the feel and control of a Rear-Wheel Drive vehicle for daily driving.
Choose the Subaru Ascent if...
- All-weather capability is a necessity, thanks to its standard All-Wheel Drive system.
- You need the slightly better fuel economy, achieving 22 combined MPG.
- You value having marginally more storage with 17.8 cu ft of cargo capacity.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Jeep Grand Cherokee L | Subaru Ascent |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 204.9" | 196.8" |
| Width | 77.9" | 76.0" |
| Height | 71.5" | 71.6" |
| Wheelbase | 121.7" | 113.8" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Jeep | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | ✓ | — |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Brake Drying | ✓ | — |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Self-Leveling Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Jeep | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 3.6 L | 2.4 L |
| Number of Cylinders | V6 | flat 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 293 hp @ 6400 rpm | 260 hp @ 5600 rpm |
| Torque | 260 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | 277 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 24 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | — | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Jeep | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | rear wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Center Differential Type | — | Limited Slip |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Jeep | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 19/26 MPG | 20/26 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 21 MPG | 22 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 437.0/598.0 mi. | 386.0/501.8 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 23.0 gal. | 19.3 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Jeep | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | ✓ | — |
| Leatherette Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Three Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | — | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | — | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Jeep | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 8.4 in | 11.6 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Length | — | 4 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Jeep | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 2 | 2 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Jeep | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 39.8 in. | 41.2 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.3 in. | 42.2 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 59.2 in. | 61.1 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 57.4 in. | 57.8 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 4-way |
| Driver Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
Rearseats
| Feature | Jeep | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.9 in. | 40.0 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.4 in. | 38.6 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 58.0 in. | 60.3 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 56.3 in. | 57.5 in. |
| Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | ✓ | ✓ |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Jeep | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 8.0 in | 18 x 7.5 in |
| Tire Size | 265/60R18 | 245/60R |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Wheel Material | — | Alloy |
| Spare Tire Location | — | Underbody Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Jeep | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Jeep | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L and 2025 Subaru Ascent.
Which crossover is more powerful: the 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L or the 2025 Subaru Ascent?
The 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L is objectively more powerful, producing 293 horsepower from its engine. The 2025 Subaru Ascent offers less peak power at 260 hp, though it compensates slightly with higher torque (277 lb-ft vs. Jeep's 260 lb-ft).
Is the Grand Cherokee L or the Ascent better for handling snow and bad weather?
The Subaru Ascent is the clear winner here because it comes standard with All-Wheel Drive (AWD). The Jeep Grand Cherokee L is listed with a Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) configuration, meaning it will generally perform worse in slippery conditions without optional upgrades.
How much does the difference in MSRP affect the overall value proposition?
The Jeep starts at $39,035, saving you about $960 upfront compared to the Ascent's $39,995 MSRP. This difference makes the Jeep slightly more accessible initially, especially considering it offers higher horsepower.
Which vehicle will cost less at the gas pump over a year?
The 2025 Subaru Ascent is marginally more economical, rated at 22 combined MPG versus the Grand Cherokee L's 21 combined MPG. This small difference in efficiency, using regular unleaded fuel, suggests the Ascent will require slightly fewer fill-ups.
Is there a significant difference in size, especially concerning the trunk space?
The Jeep Grand Cherokee L is notably longer at 204.9 inches compared to the Ascent’s 196.8 inches, but the Ascent wins on cargo capacity by a small margin, offering 17.8 cu ft versus the Jeep’s 17.2 cu ft.
What type of transmissions do these two crossovers use?
Both vehicles use automatic transmissions, but they are different types. The Jeep Grand Cherokee L employs a traditional 8-speed automatic transmission. In contrast, the Subaru Ascent uses a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT).
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