SUVs have become one of the most popular types of vehicles for sale on the market today. They are a favorite of families and singles alike for their flexibility, cargo space, fuel efficiency, and style. When it comes to Sport Utility Vehicles, two names rise to the top of the pile for comparison, namely the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs. the 2018 Honda Pilot. This model year has brought some nice upgrades to both vehicles, let’s take a close look at these two popular SUVs in some of the major categories.
Cargo Capacity
The 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee
First up is the Jeep Grand Cherokee. With 68.3 cu ft with the seat area utilized, the fold flat front-passenger seat adds a healthy amount of handy and flexible cargo, haul, and storage capacity. There are not a lot of changes for 2018 when it comes to storage and cargo space, so what we’ve seen in 2017 will still hold its ground. Behind the second row of seats in the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee there is space for 11 carry-on cases, and when the rear seats are folded, 24 were able to fit. The rear seat splits and folds in a 60/40 fashion and the operation is easy to use, requiring only one action to release the headrest and push the seat down to its flat position.
The 2018 Honda Pilot
Now let’s look at the 2018 Honda Pilot. The Pilot has 83.9 cu ft of cargo space with the seat folded, which gives it one of the largest cargo areas in its class. It’s a practical choice for families because of its roomy cabin and large cargo space. The pilot has seven seats and two available seat configurations; The Elite has a pair of captain’s chairs in the second row while all other trim levels have a three-seat bench. These seat configuration differences change the cargo capacity a bit between models as compensation has to be made for seat fold styles.
Safety
The 2018 Honda Pilot
The 2018 Honda Pilot received an overall five-star safety rating from NHTSA. The 2018 Pilot received top-notch crash-test results and plenty of available tech that gives the Pilot the ability to claim its high safety rating. A comprehensive set of active safety features is available on all but the base Pilot LX. The Pilot’s second row can accommodate three car seats across (except for the Elite, which has two captain’s chairs) and installation is simple with a single set of LATCH anchors in the third row, on the passenger’s side. There is also a list of standard and expanded optional airbag choices. The Honda Sensing Package (Honda’s active safety features package) offers adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and several other systems.
The 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Safety on the 2018 Jeep Cherokee is impressive as always. The 2018 Jeep Cherokee offers over 70 safety and security features, both active and passive to protect drivers and passengers. The high-strength steel body make-up provides maximum crash protection and optimizes vehicle dynamics along with its weight. There are ten airbags, including full-length side-curtain, along with rear and front curtain airbags to provide the ultimate in crash protection. Blind-spot monitoring helps keep drivers alerted to vehicles or objects that may be in hard to see areas surrounding the vehicle, while LaneSense Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Warning help to keep drivers safe and aware of their vehicles’ position.
The Cherokee offers a nice range of safety features, including includes technology that does everything from alert drivers to accidental lane drifting to highly customizable cruise control that allows you to set controls for speed and distance from the car in front. Available onboard technology helps you check road conditions, navigate your destination, and much more.
Technology
The 2018 Honda Pilot
The 2018 Honda Pilot offers a nice suite of technology features. Along with a broad range of active safety technology the Pilot also offers hi-tech navigation, connectivity, and entertainment options. A few options include smart, keyless entry, Honda satellite-linked navigation system, HomeLink Remote System, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a rear entertainment system, and Bluetooth connectivity.
The 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee
The 2018 Jeep Cherokee offers a nice menu of technology features in all of its trim levels. Every trim level in the 2018 model year Jeep Cherokee comes equipped with a touchscreen. There is a standard 5-inch screen or an upgraded 8-inch. Cherokee’s touchscreen interface is one of the most intuitive infotainment systems available on a vehicle today. The 2018 Jeep Cherokee also features Bluetooth and 3G in-car WiFi. Safety technology options on the 2018 Jeep Cherokee are impressive as well, featuring accident avoidance technology, parking assist, and top of the line navigation systems.
Big Picture Comparison
The 2018 Jeep Cherokee has an MSRP of $36,790, while the 2018 Honda Pilot has an MSRP of $35,230. With these comparable prices, it will do buyers well to take a close look at the available options in some of the major categories such as safety, technology, and cargo space, in order to make a decision on which vehicle is right for them.
