Jeep Grand Cherokee vs Toyota Land Cruiser Prado vs Volkswagen Touareg: here's our winner!

A long and distinguished history

Of course, the fact that the Grand Cherokee nameplate was first introduced back in 1993 means it’s had 27 years of a consistent market presence, so it makes sense that it should have received a bunch of awards over all these years. The current-generation Grand Cherokee has been around since 2011, with its most major update occurring only 2 years into its long production life. Since that last upgrade in 2013, the range has remained largely unchanged, with only detail changes and the addition of the over-the-top, supercharged Trackhawk derivative happening in the interim.

There are a number of available trim levels, with one of the most popular being the Overland specification with the 5.7-litre Hemi V8. There are other motors available, but if you want a true-blue American car, you simply must have the V8. But, while the Grand Cherokee fits the bill and offers great value for its American customer base, does it do the same here in SA? 

With our foreign exchange rate being what they are, it puts this SUV in the same price bracket as some pretty heavy hitters on our shores. In Overland trim, the big American sits very close to the price point of Toyota’s Land Cruiser Prado 4.0 VX and Volkswagen’s Touareg in Luxury trim. How does it compare with these two favourites, and would it be the logical choice after back-to-back scrutiny? Let’s find out!

 

Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 

While the Grand Cherokee is quite large, it’s classed as a mid-sized SUV (in the international scheme of things). It’s been around for almost three decades, but while that’s quite a long time in car terms, this SUV is currently only in its fourth generation. Some would say that the 5^th generation is overdue, but thanks to a series of updates, the model is still largely up to date, compared to its opponents.

 

 

There are a few powerplant options in the model range: a 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel, a 3.6-litre petrol V6, a 5.7-litre petrol V8, a 6.4-litre petrol V8, and a 6.2-litre petrol V8 with a supercharger strapped on to creating an absolutely mad 522 kW and 875 Nm. From this bunch, the 5.7-litre Hemi is likely the most appealing, and it falls in the right price category for this comparison.

 

Engine, performance and consumption

The 5.7-litre Hemi V8 has been around for many years, and in comparison to lots of large-displacement engines on the market today, its mechanical bits are relatively low-tech, with a pushrod setup to activate only 2 valves per cylinder. The engine has been used in many, many cars and is also still a favourite for aftermarket engine swaps. The Hemi name is synonymous Chrysler, even though the name is derived from the hemispherical head design also used by other manufacturers. The reason it’s more closely linked to Chrysler is simple: the manufacturer (FCA – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) was the only one to use the name in advertising and promotional materials. 

The variant used in the Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland model in question is the 5.7-litre V8 petrol that started in production in 2003, and was first fitted to the Jeep in 2005 and will likely be used for the foreseeable future. As with all post-facelift, current-generation Grand Cherokees, power is sent to the AWD system through a ZF 8-speed automatic gearbox.

The engine remains basically the same as when it was launched nearly 2 decades ago, but it has received detailed improvements through the years. Most prominently, the fitment of a cylinder de-activation system enables the big V8 to operate in “4-cylinder mode” in light-load conditions. In its Grand Cherokee application, it creates a fairly healthy 259 kW, with lots of torque on offer in typical American V8 fashion, peaking at 520 Nm. 

In the USA, petrol costs a lot less than it does in South Africa – R10.66 per litre is an average price (at the time of writing), which is why consumption figures are more important here than they are over there. As a result, the V8 Grand Cherokee is not light on fuel by any means: urban driving fuel consumption is claimed to be 19.6 ℓ/100 km, freeway consumption is claimed to be 9.2 ℓ/100 km, and the combined average is listed at 13.0 ℓ/100 km.

Trying to achieve to these figures isn’t easy, though, because that wave of V8 torque is rather addictive. Performance is pretty good for such a sizable SUV: when you flatten the accelerator from a standstill, you’ll hit the 100km/h mark in just 7.3-seconds, and if you keep on going, it will run on to a governed top speed of 225 km/h. 

 

Related: We compared Jeep Grand Cherokee engines, and the efficiency award goes to...

 

Standard equipment

As said, the Jeep is often overlooked in this segment. When you point out this fact, the immediate perception is that the American can’t be as high-tech as the German rivals. Well it can be, and very much so. In Overland spec, there are leather seats that are heated and ventilated (electrically-adjustable with memory function in front), various driving modes, cruise control (adaptive as an option), Bluetooth- and USB connectivity, parking sensors, a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel (with shift paddles and leather trim), an 8.4-inch touchscreen that heads up the user-friendly UConnect infotainment system and navigation, dual rear USB slots, Xenon headlamps, digital dashboard and a lot more. 

The ride quality is good on both tar roads and off-road tracks, thanks to the Quadra-Lift air suspension, which also improves ground clearance when needed. Add the genuine wood trim inside and a panoramic sunroof, and there’s more than enough to make it an attractive option over the usual suspects. 

 

Related: 8 Jeep Grand Cherokee accessories you didn’t know you need.

 

Safety

Safety is a big thing in the US, so the Grand Cherokee has to be “as safe as houses”, and it is. There’s ABS, EBD, brake assist, traction- and stability control, a tyre pressure monitoring system, an optional lane change/blind spot warning system, and hill descent control. Added to that we have a full array of seven airbags. Its 4-star Euro-NCAP result is broken down into 81% for Adult Occupant Safety, 69% for Child Occupant Safety, 71% for Safety Assist systems and a not-so-great score of 45% in the Pedestrian Safety category. Overall safety credentials are enough to merit a “Good” rating. 

 

Practicality

While the Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland is sizeable, it’s only a 5-seater, which doesn’t matter much unless you need a 7-seater. That said, those five occupants will not have any complaints about space in their very comfortable seats. The front seats have a bucket design to them, while the rear seat is a regular bench to easily accommodate 3 passengers. 

There’s ample space for luggage, with a load volume of 782 litres. This makes it a more-than-adequate daily driver, offspring delivery vehicle or family getaway cruiser. Also remember that it can be even more practical if you live in-hard-to-reach places or like to travel off the beaten track, because it is a very competent 4x4, thanks to either a Quadra-Trac II system or the Quadra-Trac II with ELSD (Electronic Limited-slip Differential). 

 

Price and value proposition

This Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland is a serious contender playing in a popular segment. While the entry-level Limited trim can be had for only R 799 000 (albeit with entry-level trimmings and a diesel engine), the Overland is a little higher up the range, listing at R 1 053 900. As we’ve seen above, the Overland is a well-specced option with all the necessary safety acronyms and gadgets, that has enough merit to sway buyers from the usual segment favourites. The list price also includes a 3-year/100 000 km warranty and a maintenance plan for 6 years or 100 000 km. 

 

The competition

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 4.0 VX 

Some readers might think that adding a 7-seater into the mix isn’t quite fair, but we’re basing this selection purely on what other large SUVs could be bought for similar money. It goes without saying that a Toyota simply must be a consideration. The brand has a few appealing offerings in the SUV segment, but the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is one of the best. 

In 4.0 VX trim, the Prado is so big and bold that it’s often overlooked, due to the perception that it belongs in a much higher price bracket. But, while the Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland lists at a starting price of R 1 053 900, this Prado 4.0 VX actually undercuts it at R 1 010 000. That’s not even the entry to the world of Prado: there’s another model that lists just under R900 000 (albeit with a much-trimmed spec sheet and a rather gutless diesel engine).

The Prado already has a good reputation, and it has Toyota’s noted reliability to back up that reputation. The Prado is longer than the Jeep at 5010mm, which makes sense on account of the third seating row, but, while it’s clearly bigger, the Prado is nonetheless slightly lighter than the Jeep. 

 

Related: Watch our video review of the Land Cruiser Prado here.

 

Driving it feels like you’re captain of a ship, and it cruises and accelerates like one too, with long-travel suspension giving it a loping ride quality and an engine setup that’s nowhere near as powerful as that in the Jeep. But, just like the Jeep, the Prado is very competent in off-road use, even if it’s less so on-road. Electronic drive mode selections include optimised settings for Mud & Sand, Rock & Dirt, Rock, Loose Rock, and “Mogul” (very bumpy road surfaces).

In practical terms the Prado is very capable. While seven passengers can fit inside, five occupants would be more comfortable, and folding away the rearmost seating row liberates a lot of extra luggage space to give a decent 620 litres. If navigating the narrow streets of Sandton or Cape Town in such a behemoth doesn’t faze you, the Prado VX can easily serve as a daily driver, and it’s always going to be a brilliant long-distance holiday vehicle.

As mentioned, the Jeep’s Hemi V8 is quite a powerful motor, so, given the Prado’s upsized dimensions, you’d be forgiven for thinking it would have something bigger and better under the bonnet... but it doesn’t. The Toyota is powered by a large-displacement, naturally-aspirated V6 4.0-litre petrol engine which produces 57 kW and 139 Nm less than the Overland, with a total of 202 kW on tap and peak torque rated at 381 Nm. 

The Jeep uses eight gears in its automatic transmission, but the Prado has just six gears in its autobox. This ratio count and the lower power output are only good enough for a 0-100 km/h dash of 10.9-seconds, and it tops out at a governed 180 km/h. 

 

Related: Our review of the Land Cruiser Prado 3.0 VX-L found a lot to like about it.

 

It’s not the lightest when it comes to fuel consumption, either, with a claimed average consumption of 11.5 ℓ/100 km. This is comparatively decent , considering the Prado’s dimensions, and quite a bit lower than the Jeep’s claimed average figure. That said, the Prado has proven to be rather thirstier than its claim in real-world usage, returning up to 14 ℓ/100 km in mixed-cycle driving. 

On the spec and features front, the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 4.0 VX isn’t lacking relative to this competition. The SUV has great safety credentials, with a 5-star ANCAP crash test rating, 7 airbags, ABS, EBD, traction- and stability control, tyre pressure monitoring, and directional and adaptive LED headlights. Comfort-focused niceties include leather upholstery, hill start assist, navigation, Bluetooth, dual zone climate control, parking sensors and reverse camera. As a result, the Prado’s equipment list roughly matches the Jeep’s spec sheet. Its warranty also matches that of the Jeep at 3 years or 100 000 km, and the list price includes a service plan for 9 services (90 000 km) with no time limitation.

The infotainment is headed up by an 8-inch screen, which fronts a premium 14-speaker sound system with a standard woofer. The Prado’s cabin is also a great place to be and is extremely well-made, but it doesn’t appear quite as plush as the Jeep’s at first glance. 

 

Volkswagen Touareg Luxury

From the house of Volkswagen, there’s another large SUV that offers up a pretty good alternative to the Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland. While the Touareg shares DNA with Audi’s massive Q7, it’s not a 7-seater like its cousin, but rather a 5-seater like the Jeep. The Touareg is Volkswagen’s local flagship model, and it joins this fray with a retail price starting at R 1 104 500 in entry-level Luxury trim. 

Of course, being one of the German brands, everyone knows that you’ll be able to add features in from the option sheet, and if you get too happy ticking the configurator boxes online, you’ll soon see that basic retail price becoming more wishful thinking than anything else. Still, even as basic as you can order a Touareg, it’s still a good all round package. 

 

Related: Hanging with the bruisers – our Volkswagen Touareg review.

 

Volkswagen’s Touareg Luxury lives up to its name, because it’s packed with all the bells and whistles you could need, wrapped up into a large, good-looking package. This SUV is slightly longer than the Grand Cherokee, with an overall length of 4 878mm compared to the Jeep’s 4 828mm. 

The Touareg is much lighter than either of the others, and has a kerb weight of only 2 040 kg, even though it has a turbodiesel powerplant (which is usually heavier than a petrol motor). The luggage capacity of the Touareg Luxury is slightly bigger than what the Jeep offers with capacity at 810 litres, making it the undisputed luggage master. Cabin space is excellent, and five adults will be more than happy with their accommodations, no matter what terrain they’re traversing.

 

Related: Top 10 differences between the current- and previous-generation Volkswagen Touareg.

 

The Touareg Luxury has the smallest engine displacement than both the Jeep and the Prado, measuring in at just 3.0-litres, but it does have the benefit of turbo boost. Like the Prado’s, the Touareg also has a V6 layout, which actually sounds pretty good in spite of it being a diesel. It has the least power of these three SUVs, with 190 Kw on tap, but its forced induction endows the Touareg with the most torque in this group, with a whopping 600 Nm available, along with an 8-speed automatic gearbox to keep the engine on the boil.

That means you could tow just about anything that’s legal to tow and you’d likely forget about the load out back (its maximum braked towing weight is 3500 kg, 100 kg more than the Jeep and a full 1000 kg more than the Toyota). The Jeep gets to 100 km/h a smidgen quicker than the Touareg, with its 7.3-second time, compared to the VW’s 7.7-seconds, although the German does feel faster thanks to its turbo boost. You’ll hit a higher top-end in the Touareg, though, topping out at 235 km/h.

The biggest difference comes in its fuel consumption. Being a highly-efficient turbo diesel, it’s the best of the lot, with its claimed average figure of 7.1 ℓ/100 km more akin to that of a small hatchback. The VW isn’t quite as competent off-road as the other two, mind you – likely because it prioritises on-road manners, rather than trying to be a jack-of-all-trades like the others.

 

Related: Top 3 things you need to know about the Volkswagen Touareg.

 

Features and specs in the Volkswagen Touareg Luxury are comprehensive, but, in true German tradition, you will have to fork out extra for the coolest things. It can be ordered with one of the biggest optional infotainment screens out there (a massive 15-inch touchscreen), which, together with the 12-inch digital instrument cluster, creates the “Innovision Cockpit” that keeps you in touch with every gadget on board. This alone could see the VW being the top choice here, especially for the younger, tech-savvy crowd. It doesn't hurt that the Touareg is impeccably screwed together from premium materials, either. Included in the price is the strongest warranty here (3 years or 120 000 km) and a maintenance plan for 5 years or 100 000 km.

All manner of active- and passive safety systems are present in the Touareg, with a 5-star Euro-NCAP crash test rating and 8 airbags, along with all the other acronyms you’d get in the others. The cruise control is adaptive as standard, and the car also tries to help out in unfavourable conditions, with (amongst others) a night mode for badly-lit roads. The spectacular adaptive full-LED adaptive headlights and a self-parking system are standard equipment as well.

There are also five driving modes available: Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Individual, and, if you tick the appropriate option box, an Off-road pack adds off-road auto, sand, gravel, and off-road expert modes. Everything combines to make you and your passengers safe and comfortable.

 

Let’s recap the important numbers:

	Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Overland	Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 4.0 VX	Volkswagen Touareg Luxury
Engine (cyl/size)	V8, 5.7-litre petrol	V6, 4.0-litre petrol	V6, 3.0-litre turbodiesel
Power/Torque	259 kW/520 Nm	202 kW/381 Nm	190 kW/600 Nm
Transmission	8-speed automatic	6-speed automatic	8-speed automatic
Kerb Weight	2 365 kg	2 355 kg	2 040 kg
Length (mm)	4 828	5 010	4 878
Airbag count	7	7	8
Load Volume	782 litres	620 litres*	810 litres
0-100 km/h**	7.3 seconds	10.9-seconds	7.7-seconds
Top Speed**	225 km/h	180 km/h	235 km/h
Ave Consumption **	13.0 ℓ/100 km	11.5 ℓ/100 km	7.1 ℓ/100 km
Warranty	3 yr/100 000 km	3 yr/100 000 km	3 yr/120 000 km
Base Price	R 1 020 900	R1 010 000	R1 104 500

* In 5-seater mode

** Manufacturer's official claimed figures.

 

Verdict

Apart from its seating versatility, the Prado doesn’t really offer anything you won’t find in either of the other two contenders. For similar money to the Jeep Cherokee 5.7 Overland, the Toyota Prado 4.0 VX is slower and less well-equipped, doesn't have a full maintenance plan, can’t carry as much luggage, and only offers marginally lower (theoretical) fuel consumption in compensation. This probably isn’t the sweet spot in the Prado range, because the entry-level 3.0 DT TX has most of the virtues of its more-expensive stablemates, at a significant cost saving and with significantly better fuel economy.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland is often overlooked, mostly because buyers prefer to concentrate on European premium-brand SUVs. At this price point, just a tad to the north of a million Rands, there are plenty options from which to choose, and that’s just in the new-car market. If you were to take that same money to the used market, your options become virtually endless. 

But, seeing as we’re talking about new cars here, the Jeep performs well in just about every important category besides fuel consumption. Then again, anyone who opts for a 5.7-litre V8 shouldn’t really expect stellar fuel economy. The cabin’s appearance and trim quality is as upmarket as the usual choices in this segment, as are the onboard tech and the active- and passive safety lists. Aesthetics can also be a huge factor, and after the last model update, the Grand Cherokee looks very handsome (if not more European than before), with sleeker lines and modern lighting clusters.

Spec-for-spec, the Jeep definitely holds its own and is indeed a worthy choice. Its only problem is that, for those buying into the SUV category to show a bit of status (which is quite a big section), the more well-known and popular names are the ones that get bought. You’d still imagine that there would be more Grand Cherokees on the roads, though.Would it be the choice out of these three cars straight off the showroom floor?

Probably not. The Touareg would get the nod, because it’s all-round the car with the best balance of standard attributes. However, to get it to the equipment level we’d prefer, its base price would increase by over R 300 000. When it comes to the used market, there are plenty of almost-new examples with low mileage for around R 200 000 less than the new list price, and such a Touareg would likely offer the best blend of abilities and affordability. But, if nothing else, this comparison shows that, elderly though it may be, the Jeep Grand Cherokee still puts up a spirited fight against newer opponents. Not bad for such an old stager!

 

Recommended Next:

Shop for new and used Jeep Grand Cherokee cars for sale here.

Shop for new and used Toyota Land Cruiser Prado cars for sale here.

Shop for new and used Volkswagen Touareg cars for sale here.