Grand Cherokee L vs Nissan Pathfinder | Ames, IA

Americans love SUVs. Anyone who has walked – or driven! – around Ames, IA has surely seen enough of them to know this to be true. While some drivers are happy with mid-sized or compact SUVs that feature just two rows of seating, many Iowans prefer three rows of seats. Most car manufacturers have an entry in this latter size category, but some vehicles really stand out. The Jeep Grand Cherokee L is the newly released glow-up of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which is a much-loved SUV. The Nissan Pathfinder is another strong entry in this category, and it was redesigned for its most recent release. This article is going to examine these two three-row SUVs in order to help Story County, IA residents figure out which vehicle is the best fit for their needs.

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What’s under the hood?

The Jeep Grand Cherokee L comes standard with a powerful 3.6L V6 engine. It makes 290 horsepower and 257 lb.-ft. of torque. This allows the vehicle to tow up to 6,200 pounds, which is more than enough to hitch a trailer to the back. Iowans who are looking to take their families out of Des Moines for the weekend will find the Grand Cherokee L to be more than up to the task.

Iowans can also upgrade the engine to a 5.7L V8! This sees the vehicle’s horsepower jump up to 357, and torque rises to a stunning 390 lb.-ft. The Jeep’s towing capacity consequently jumps up to 7,200 pounds. Either way, drivers will enjoy an eight-speed automatic transmission and have the choice of rear- or all-wheel drive.

The Nissan Pathfinder has just one engine, a 3.5L V6 that outputs 284 horsepower. The rest of the powertrain is composed of a nine-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive optional, like the Grand Cherokee L. If one springs for the optional towing package, the Pathfinder can haul 6,000 pounds.

Technology and Style

The luxury three-row Jeep Grand Cherokee L offers a fully-furnished interior at any trim level. The second row is a pair of captain’s chairs instead of a bench, allowing easy access to the third row, but Iowans who need the extra seating can opt for the bench instead. Drivers who are looking to customize their ride will be pleased with this SUV. Jeep offers a plethora of optional features, including massaging front seats, leather upholstery, and real wood trim. The Grand Cherokee L comes with a 10.1″ touchscreen in the front. This controls infotainment features, like Apple Carplay and SiriusXM radio.

The Nissan Pathfinder comes standard with a bench seat in the second row, and optional captain’s chairs. One has to spring for higher-level trims to get some luxury features, like the semi-aniline leather seats, panoramic sunroof, and heated front seats. It enjoys an 8″ touchscreen in the front, with a 9″ model popping up on some upper-tier trims. Like the Jeep, it includes connectivity features like Android Auto and Apple Carplay.

Conclusion

Both the Nissan Pathfinder and the Jeep Grand Cherokee L are capable of hauling a bunch of people and a lot of stuff. That said, the Jeep does it in more style – and it can handle more weight than the Pathfinder. Ames, IA residents would be well-served to check out the Grand Cherokee L.

At Deery of Ames we pride ourselves on our tradition of service to our community. Whether you’re coming from Des Moines, Marshalltown, Ames, or elsewhere in Iowa, we look forward to doing business with you.

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