Based on January 2012 sales figures released by the automakers, the models finished in 1^st and 2^nd place, respectively in the midsize class.  Jeep sold 10,683 Grand Cherokees in January, which was a 40 percent increase compared to January 2011.  The Grand Cherokee was all-new for the 2011 model year.

The Ford Explorer had sales of 9,966 units, which was up 35.6 percent from January 2011.  The Explorer entered its fifth generation in 2011, and for the first time ever became a crossover model.

Comparing the Models

photo credit: chibianh

Performing a Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. Ford Explorer comparison can help determine which of these models better fits your family’s needs and budget.  The 2012 Grand Cherokee and Explorer have very comparable pricing, engine power, and fuel economy.

The Explorer has the benefit of an extra gear (6-speed automatic vs. 5-speed automatic) and its fuel economy is slightly better in the base model (18/25 for the Explorer Base FWD vs. 16/23 for the Grand Cherokee Laredo 4X2).  However, with all-wheel drive, fuel economy is very similar (17/23 vs. 16/23).  The Explorer is about 120 pounds lighter than the Grand Cherokee, helping to give it quicker acceleration.

Both of these models have a starting price in the high 20Ks.  But if you want more luxurious features, these models get expensive.  For example, the starting MSRP of the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4X4 is $39,995, while the Ford Explorer Limited 4WD starts at $39,855.

Both models have a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.  However, the Grand Cherokee offers the optional 360 horsepower Hemi V-8, which boosts towing capacity to 7,400 pounds, at the expense of several miles per gallon of fuel economy.

photo credit: HighTechDad

Interior Room & Cargo Room

What separates the Explorer from the Grand Cherokee is its third-row of seats, with seating for up to 7.  The Grand Cherokee lacks the third row but it should be noted that the Explorer’s third-row is really only suited to fit small children.  The Explorer also has more front and rear headroom, front and rear shoulder room, and rear leg room than the Grand Cherokee, which is not surprising considering the Explorer is 2.4 inches wider and 7.3 inches longer.

With the third row folded, the Explorer still has quite an edge in cargo space with the seats folded down.  The Explorer has 80.7 cubic feet vs. 68.7 cubic feet for the Grand Cherokee.

Trail-Rated

The Grand Cherokee carries Jeep’s legendary off-road heritage and the company’s TrailRated® badge.  The model has been tested in the most strenuous off-road conditions for water fording, articulation, maneuverability, articulation, traction, and ground clearance to earn its badge.  So if you want off-road capability, the Grand Cherokee is a clear choice.

New for 2012

Ford has introduced its EcoBoost four-cylinder engine into the Explorer for 2012.  The model is offered with front-wheel drive and returns outstanding fuel economy.  The model is rated at 20-mpg city and 28-mpg highway, making it one of the most fuel-efficient SUVs on the roads.

Chrysler has no plans to introduce a turbo-charged four-cylinder engine into its Jeep line, but is planning to offer an eight-speed automatic transmission in the Grand Cherokee later this year. Jeep also began offering the incredibly powerful Grand Cherokee SRT8 in 2012.

Making the Decision

photo credit: HighTechDad

Typically the Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. Ford Explorer buying decision really comes down to buyer preferences in terms of styling and the trade-off of interior room vs. off-road capability.  However, both models should be taken for a test drive to get a feel for how they drive, along with competitors such as the Chevrolet Traverse, Dodge Durango, Honda Pilot, Mazda CX-9, and Toyota Highlander.

Motor Trend magazine had less than kind words for the Explorer in its August 2011 edition, in which it did a 2012 Ford Explorer EcoBoost Road Test:

The Explorer is bad. Bad as in I can’t remember driving a car as dynamically lifeless. Nor could others. “Handles like an oversize, overweight Volvo,” states our Detroit scribe Todd Lassa. Says associate editor Mike Febbo, “It sits and handles like a truck, but it’s a tall car.” Executive editor Ed Loh feels much the same. “It’s like driving a large overstuffed armchair. The cushions are very soft and squishy, but you sit so far inboard that it’s weird.” And then there’s associate editor Rory Jurnecka’s take: “Wallowy in the slalom and figure-eight with understeer being the flavor of choice. This isn’t fun.”

So what is the SUV with the most cargo space? We help buyers find the SUVs with the most cargo room to meet their needs.

Full-Size SUVs

When you are talking about cargo room, full-size SUVs really deliver the goods. Models such as the Chevrolet Suburban, Ford Expedition, GMC Yukon XL, Nissan Armada, and Toyota Sequoia are the largest of all SUVs and have the most room. Each of these models have a starting price of about $40,000. But the SUV with the most cargo space is the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban.

photo credit: StephanP1975

The Suburban has a long history. Chevrolet first introduced the Suburban Carryall in 1935 and in 1973 the real predecessor to today’s Suburban was introduced. The Suburban and is the ultimate people hauling SUV. With room for 9 passengers, and a length over 18 feet, the Suburban is a behemoth. The model is popular with outdoorsmen and others who want the most space with off-road capability.

Despite its mammoth size, the Suburban’s fuel economy is surprisingly not much worse than some mid-size models. The 2012 Suburban LT 1500 4WD has EPA rated fuel economy of 15-mpg city and 21-mpg highway. In comparison, the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4X4 is rated at 16-mpg city and 23-mpg highway.

Luxury Full-Size Models

For those seeking more luxury, full-size luxury SUV models include the Cadillac Escalade, Infiniti QX56, Lexus LX 570, Lincoln Navigator, and Toyota Land Cruiser. These models have starting prices of about $60,000 to $80,000.

The cargo room data on luxury full-size 2012 models is:

• Cadillac Escalade, 108.9
• Infiniti QX56, 95.1 cubic feet
• Lexus LX 570, 83.1 cubic feet
• Lincoln Navigator, 103.3 cubic feet
• Toyota Land Cruiser, 81.7 cubic feet

Other SUVs with Lots of Cargo Room

In other classes, the Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia are real standouts as midsize three-row crossovers. They have 116 cubic feet of cargo room and fuel economy of 17-mpg city and 24-mpg highway. Each deliver more cargo room than the Nissan Quest minivan.

The Mazda CX-9 is also a standout with 101 cubic feet of cargo room, which is comparable to many full-size models. In the compact class, the Toyota RAV4 has a best-in-class 73 cubic feet of cargo room.

photo credit: Konstantin Zamkov

Full-Size SUVs vs. Minivans

Many people would see a Suburban and think its cargo room couldn’t be topped. But that is not the case. The Chrysler Town & Country, Honda Odyssey, Kia Sedona, Toyota Sienna, and Volkswagen Routan all have more cargo room than the Suburban. This makes minivans a very smart choice for practical, fuel-efficient use of cargo space.

Authored by: +Jason Nelson

But for the lucky few to drive the Juke-R, a one-off concept version of the Juke, they get to experience what Nissan describes as “The fastest, most exciting and daring compact crossover in the world.”

Bold Styling

With its curvy shape and small cargo area, the Juke is a model that already favors sport over utility. The Juke-R takes the unique shape of the model to a whole new level with a unique split rear wing, revised rear bumpers, flared wheel arches, and 20” alloy rims. The interior also has changes with a new dashboard, interior controls, twin race-seats with five-point harnesses, and a visible.

To handle the massive 480 horsepower produced by the engine, the Juke-R also has enhanced structural rigidity and all-wheel drive (AWD). This compares to a 1.6-liter turbocharged 188 horsepower engine in the Juke, in which AWD is optional. Considering the 2012 Nissan GT-R has a starting price of nearly $100,000, the Juke-R would be a relative performance bargain. But it seems wise that Nissan would not mass produce a $100,000 Juke.

The Ultimate Performance Crossover

With a 0-60 time under 4 seconds, the Nissan Juke-R is the World’s fastest crossover with the power to take on the best supercars from the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini. See how the Juke-R fared in a race against the Ferrari 458 Italia, Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4, and a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG in the video below.

Interior Space & Features

At just 168 inches long, the five-seat Buick Encore is only 6.7 inches longer than the Mini Cooper Countryman and 3 inches shorter than the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque. And with just 48 cubic feet of cargo room with its rear seats folded flat, it has less room than the upcoming 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek.

Despite its small size, the Encore boasts a host of standard luxurious features such as active noise cancellation, laminated glass, sound absorbing materials, and 18-inch five-spoke wheels. The model also features Bluetooth, OnStar, and Buick IntelliLink, which has a seven-inch LCD screen.

Other available features include remote vehicle start, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bose premium sound system, Rainsense wipers, heated, leather wrapped steering wheel with audio control, and six-way power seats with driver memory.

The Encore also has great safety features such as 10 standard air bags, cornering brake control and brake assist. Available features include lane departure warning, forward collision alert, front and rear park assist, rear vision camera, and all-wheel drive.

Engine & Fuel Economy

The Buick Encore features a modified version of the 1.4-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine used in the Chevy Cruze and Sonic. In the Encore, it produces 140 horsepower and 148-pound-feet of torque. This is not a lot of power for a model that weights 3,309 pounds. In comparison, the 2012 Honda CR-V LX weighs 3,305 pounds and sports a 185 horsepower engine. A Hydramatic six-speed automatic transmission is standard in the Encore.

The Encore’s fuel economy figures have not been released, but with a fuel-efficient 1.4-liter turbocharged engine, the model should be one of the most fuel-efficient crossovers on the market. The base Mini Cooper Countryman, with a 1.6-liter 121 horsepower engine has fuel economy of 27-mpg city and 35-mpg highway.

Pricing & Competitors

The pricing for the 2013 Buick Encore has not yet been announced. A starting price in the mid 20Ks is likely. Currently, Buick’s most inexpensive vehicle is the compact Verano sedan, which starts at $23,470. However, the Encore has less passenger room and a less powerful engine than the Verano.

Buick is claiming the Encore is a pioneer in the premium U.S. subcompact crossover market. In Europe, models such as the BMX X1 and Audi Q3 compete in this segment but they are not sold in North America. In the U.S. the Encore will compete against models such as the Mini Cooper Countryman, up-level trims of the Nissan Juke, and hope to attract compact SUV buyers.

For photos and more information, see the Encore page on Buick’s website.

Author: +Jason Nelson

Resale Value Data

There is a new study out indicating the best value SUV of 2012 in each different class. ALG, a company that provides services to automotive manufacturers, financial institutions, and fleet companies, has released its 2012 residual value awards.

ALG’s study looks at what vehicles retain the highest percentage of their original price after a three year period. ALG also prognosticates on new models based on historical data and data of comparable models by the auto manufacturer.

photo credit: Land Rover Our Planet

Residual Value Award Winners

The winners in the six SUV categories in the study were:

Compact Utility – Jeep Wrangler
Midsize Utility – Subaru Outback
Fullsize Utility – GMC Acadia
Luxury Compact – Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
Luxury Midsize Utility – Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Luxury Fullsize Utility – Audi Q7

These models can be considered the best value SUVs of 2012. Subaru won ALG’s Mainstream Brand Residual Value Award for the third year in a row. Subaru has seen a healthy share of awards for its 2012 models, as all three of its crossovers were named to the IIHS’ list of safest 2012 SUVs.

American Models on the List

Japanese manufacturers scored big with 11 winners in the 21 vehicle categories. The Acadia and Wrangler were the only two American models to win the award among all vehicles.

The Wrangler is a bit of a stand out as more of a niche model with its off-road heritage. However, the model is much improved for 2012 with a more competent and fuel-efficient 283 horsepower V6 engine.

These awards are important for manufacturers as they build credibility and can helpful in marketing their models. Ultimately, the best value SUV of 2012 is the model that best fits the buyers’ needs and budget.