2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2026 Subaru Ascent

$36,495 · Crossover

$40,795 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Trying to decide between established ruggedness and modern daily refinement often confuses shoppers looking at the 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the 2026 Subaru Ascent. The core dilemma centers on prioritizing power versus standard capability. The Jeep Grand Cherokee starts at a lower MSRP of $36,495 compared to the Ascent's $40,795, a savings of $4,300 upfront. However, the Jeep comes standard with rear-wheel drive, whereas the Ascent includes standard All-Wheel Drive, crucial for many buyers. Power delivery varies significantly; the Grand Cherokee boasts 293 hp, easily outclassing the Ascent’s 260 hp, although the Subaru counters with slightly more torque at 277 lb-ft versus the Jeep’s 260 lb-ft. Both achieve an identical 22 MPG combined, making fuel economy a wash, but their dimensions differ slightly in packaging.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee wins for commuters due to its lower starting price and slightly nimbler size profile at 193.5 inches long.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Subaru Ascent

The Subaru Ascent is the family favorite because its standard All-Wheel Drive offers superior security and predictable handling in various conditions.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Enthusiasts will prefer the Grand Cherokee for its significantly higher 293 hp output, offering more exciting performance.

💰 Best Value

2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Grand Cherokee provides a clear value edge by saving the buyer $4,300 in the initial purchase price.

Choose the Jeep Grand Cherokee if...

You prioritize maximum horsepower and prefer the feel of a rear-wheel-drive platform for everyday driving.
You want to save $4,300 immediately, as the Grand Cherokee's MSRP starts at $36,495.
You need less overall vehicle length (193.5 inches) for easier city parking maneuvers.

Choose the Subaru Ascent if...

All-Wheel Drive capability is a must-have standard feature for navigating tough weather.
You prioritize maximum low-end grunt, as the Ascent offers 277 lb-ft of torque.
You need more vertical space, as the Ascent is taller at 71.6 inches, though its cargo space is notably smaller at 17.8 cu ft.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Jeep Grand Cherokee	Subaru Ascent
Length	193.5"	196.8"
Width	77.5"	76.0"
Height	70.8"	71.6"
Wheelbase	116.7"	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	✓	✓
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	3	2
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
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 shiftable 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)	22 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	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	✓	—
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
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	39.9 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	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	4-way
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Jeep	Subaru
Rear Head Room	39.4 in.	40.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.2 in.	38.6 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.0 in.	60.3 in.
Rear Hip Room	56.3 in.	57.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Jeep	Subaru
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	17 x 6.5 in	18 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P245/70R17	245/60R
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 and 2026 Subaru Ascent.

Does the difference in horsepower between the two vehicles matter for daily driving?

Yes, the Jeep Grand Cherokee offers 293 hp compared to the Ascent's 260 hp, meaning the Jeep will feel noticeably quicker during highway merging or passing maneuvers. While both use regular unleaded fuel, the Jeep delivers a 33 hp advantage straight off the line.

Which vehicle is better for towing or handling slippery roads?

The Subaru Ascent is generally better for slippery roads because it includes standard All-Wheel Drive, whereas the base Jeep Grand Cherokee is RWD. While towing specs aren't listed, AWD capability is a guaranteed benefit for varied road conditions in the Ascent.

Is the lower MSRP of the Jeep worth losing standard AWD?

That depends on your region; the Jeep saves you $4,300 upfront ($36,495 vs $40,795), but if you need AWD, you might spend that back—and likely more—on an AWD trim or aftermarket options for the Jeep.

How do the cargo capacities compare between these two crossovers?

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is the clear winner for cargo capacity, offering 37.7 cubic feet behind the second row. The Subaru Ascent, despite being slightly longer overall, trails significantly with only 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space listed.

Are there significant differences in fuel economy between the Grand Cherokee and the Ascent?

No, not really; both vehicles achieve an identical 22 MPG combined rating. The Jeep gets 19/26 MPG city/highway, while the Subaru mirrors that efficiency with 20/26 MPG, making fuel stops roughly equivalent.

If I value acceleration feel, which powertrain is better: CVT or the 8-speed automatic?

Automotive enthusiasts often prefer the traditional feel of the Jeep's 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission over the Subaru's continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT). The Jeep's higher horsepower (293 hp) further enhances this spirited driving experience.