Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Acura MDX

Under the hood, the Jeep Grand Cherokee's 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo engine produces 324 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The MDX's standard 3.5L V6 delivers 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. That gap adds up fast when merging onto I-135 or climbing a grade on K-96. City fuel economy favors the Jeep too, with an EPA estimate of 21 MPG versus the MDX's 19 MPG around town.

Drivers who want punch every time they hit the accelerator will feel the difference behind the wheel of a Grand Cherokee.

Families hauling boats, trailers, or campers around the Newton area will appreciate the Grand Cherokee's 6,200-pound maximum towing rating, well past the MDX's top figure of 5,000 lbs with SH-AWD (and 3,500 pounds on front-drive models).

Off pavement, the Grand Cherokee offers a choice of three 4x4 systems (Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, or Quadra-Drive II), plus available Quadra-Lift air suspension that raises ground clearance and sharpens approach and departure angles for rougher terrain. The MDX sticks to on-road SH-AWD only, leaving trail work firmly in Jeep territory.

Step inside the Grand Cherokee, and options like heated, ventilated, and massaging seats, a McIntosh audio system with 19 speakers, and a 12.3-inch Uconnect® 5 NAV touchscreen create a cabin built for long drives across Kansas.

Families who need extra room can step up to the Grand Cherokee L, which stretches seating to seven passengers with a 50/50-folding third row. The MDX matches some tech, yet its base model skips items like ventilated seats and a surround-view camera, features that arrive standard sooner on the Jeep lineup.