Thor911

Always welcome a different perspective, we're looking to replace our X5 and I've narrowed it to these choices. A little about each...

Ford: 365hp, white with blacked out features (I'd be lying if I said the fact it matches my 911 GTS didn't appeal to me) and 3rd row seating. We are a family of 4 with very young kids.

Jeep: 290 hp limited but fully loaded, also white, I've had one before and we liked it.

If you have had experience with either, would love to hear from you.

Thanks!

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Imo000

Ford is stronger and has more seating......I would go with that one.

Christien

We had an Eddie Bauer Explorer several years ago. I think it was an 04, can't remember. I hated it. Huge, drove like a pig, terrible on gas, the interior was surprisingly cramped considering how big it was, and the heat/ac/audio controls were a complete dog's breakfast. I counted something like 64 buttons on the centre console. Forget being distracted by texting, you almost got in an accident just trying to change the temperature. Even with backup sensors parking it was a pain. Admittedly they've undergone a complete redesign since, so hopefully they're better now.

My folks drive a 2013 Cherokee. They love it. I don't find it particularly comfortable, though I've never driven it on a long road trip. What really bothers me is the transmission hump - it's right where I want to put my right leg when on the highway using cruise. It's definitely smaller than the Explorer, and better on gas than our old one was, but 10 years of different technology make that an unfair comparison.

Personally I'd go Cherokee in a heartbeat if those were the choices, but neither particularly appeal to me. Admittedly I don't particularly care for SUVs - I can't think of any one I'd buy. I much prefer a minivan when it comes to a big car to move a family and its stuff - they're larger, more comfortable, MUCH more reliable and much better on gas.

goatfarmerdave

Grand Cherokee Limited ecodiesel. Beautiful,powerful,reliable, way better resale value than the Explorer and a classy suv without getting into the big, expensive suvs.

Livio928

Have you considered a VW Toureg? Almost everybody I know who has/had one really liked it.
I am looking for one in the spring.

pongobaz

Get the Jeep. It benefited in the chassis/platform from the short lived alliance with Daimler. Hate the telematics in Ford vehicles.

993GT

When it comes to American cars, I'm a Ford guy...but I'd probably go with the Jeep in this case, rwd based AWD vs fwd based, more classic interior layout/electronics, and the premium interior and stereo is nicer in the Jeep IIRC. Would probably also choose the Jeep out of warranty as well, if that matters...

2RedPorsche

I'd go with the Jeep. I'm on to my 4th Gr Cherokee, had one constantly since 1996 and enjoyed them all. Currently in a 2014 Overland and you can't beat the features and comfort for the price.

ronnie993tt

This isn't an option for anyone considering full size SUV's. Way too small. I'd drive them both and check the various sources for reliability. We just went through this but for new 2015 models. Ford wins on reliability but not that pleasant to drive.

ezdriver

I've owned two GC Limited and one Touareg V8 ... those would be my top two picks to consider. Drove my neighbor's new Explorer and found feeling like a very heavy SUV and not as nimble as the GC or the Touareg V8.

Cosmo Kramer

The old Explorer is no comparison to the new one. The new Explorer is a unibody platform and the Sport will smoke the Cherokee in acceleration (that's why the cops use them). I personally have a 2015 Edge Sport with the 2.7 TT and it hauls ***. The third row is handy as well, there are times when I wish I still had one. Like the others said, the Explorer does feel big and was the primary reason I went for the Edge, but try both and see what feels better for you.

CamsPorsche

We have a 2013 Ford Explorer XLT loaded to the nuts and its the best SUV we've ever owned.

Super good on fuel and tows our double seadoo trailer with ease. We have not had 1 single item go wrong on the it since new and approaching 60,000kms.

Love the leather interior and options. I wish I had got the Sport model but we couldn't get the color we wanted or find any in stock.

CamsPorsche

Can't compare the 04 with a 13 as its a completely different SUV. We drove the Cherokee and didn't like it plus it felt small.

LexVan

My daily driver is a new 2016 Explorer Limited that I just bought a few weeks ago. Great SUV. Been daily driving SUVs for over 12 years.

Yeah, the new chassis Explorer (started 2011) is nothing like the prior Explorers.

BIG smoke

I had an explorer rental 18 months ago. It was quiet and well built. For me, the thing I didn't like was the position of the steering wheel and the space between the drivers seat and the door. I'm 5'10" and 175 lbs. not huge. I just could get comfortable. I have a terrible habit of using my thighs to hold the steering wheel while adjusting my hands on the wheel. For me, that was a deal breaker.