Compared: 2023 Chevrolet Traverse vs. 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Which of these domestic-branded family haulers best suits your new midsize SUV needs?

Teia Collier | 

Mar 1, 2023 | 3 min read

Jeep | Chevrolet

The Chevrolet Traverse and Jeep Grand Cherokee stand out as solid contenders in a crowded field of new midsize SUVs. The three-row Chevy offers a roomy, minivan-like interior and pricing that historically starts lower than its rivals. The Jeep delivers two- and three-row body styles, a wider variety of trims, including a unique plug-in hybrid.

Chevrolet

2023 Chevrolet Traverse vs. 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Price

With only a 310-hp V6 on the menu, the 2023 Chevrolet Traverse's pricing options are less complicated than the Jeep's.

Traverse pricing starts at less than $36,000 for the base, eight-seat LS trim. Front-wheel drive is standard across all six trims, while all-wheel drive is about $2,000 more. The sporty RS trim starts at around $48,500, while the top trim $53,500 High Country gets power-folding third-row seating and a two-panel power sunroof, among other goodies.

Jeep

Also offering a half-dozen trim levels, the 2023 Grand Cherokee adds the choice of three engines and two or three rows of seats — all priced higher than the base Chevy SUV. The most affordable Grand Cherokee is the 293-hp V6, two-row, rear-wheel-drive Laredo for around $43,000. If you want the first of three all-wheel-drive systems, add $2,000. The three-row, rear-wheel-drive Laredo L starts at around $45,000. The optional 357-hp V8 is exclusive to the all-wheel-drive $76,500 Summit Reserve L top trim.

The unique 375-hp Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid comes exclusively in two-row/all-wheel-drive form, starting around $62,000. The most off-road-ready Grand Cherokee is the $67,000 Trailhawk 4xe.

Chevrolet

2023 Chevrolet Traverse vs. 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Features

Beyond its discount pricing, the Chevrolet Traverse adds value with its big interior. Eight-occupant seating is standard in the base LS, with only six or seven in the Jeep. The rest of the Traverse's trims get seats for seven, with eight seats optional in the LT. All three rows offer more passenger space than the Grand Cherokee L. Cargo space — another Traverse strength — ranges from 23 cu-ft to a massive 98 with rows two and three folded. The three-row Jeep SUV can only manage 17 cu-ft and 85, respectively, and the two-row Grand Cherokee even less.

Jeep

Jeep’s midsize SUV trades off Chevrolet's minivan space with features that allow it to go farther off-road, tow more, and compete better with luxury-brand SUVs.

The Grand Cherokee 4xe can be driven on or off the pavement for up to 26 miles on electric power alone. The V8 version of the Grand Cherokee allows for up to 7,200 pounds of towing. The Traverse's max is 5,000. And the top trim Summit Reserve offers features not available on the Chevy, such as quilted leather and open-pore waxed walnut wood trim.

Chevrolet

2023 Chevrolet Traverse vs. 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Fuel Economy

The city and highway combined EPA fuel economy estimates for these midsize SUVs are comparable — until you throw the Grand Cherokee 4xe into the mix. The front-wheel-drive version of the Chevrolet is rated at 21 mpg, and 1 mpg less with traction at all four tires.

Jeep

No matter if two or four wheels are moving the Jeep, the two-row V6 versions are rated at 22 mpg. Opt for the V8, and that estimate drops to 17 mpg. As expected, the plug-in Grand Cherokee 4xe is the most frugal with an estimated 23 mpg, and 56 MPGe.

All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication) and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.

Teia Collier

Native Texan with a love for people, auto, beautiful design and a grand adventure, Teia Collier is an award-winning writer based in the Dallas area. With a background in education, civic service, and public policy, she loves to discover the why behind a thing and to connect people with the best resources to make their lives better. Collier is also a mom of three, addicted to coffee, and the incoming president of the Texas Auto Writers Association.