Blazer vs Grand Cherokee
The Blazer and the Grand Cherokee are aimed squarely at each other: same class, different badges. The numbers lean one way: the Grand Cherokee comes out ahead in 3 of the 4 areas we compared, with its clearest lead in the space & practicality category.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Grand Cherokee wins
- Fuel Economy & Range Blazer wins
- Space & Practicality Grand Cherokee wins
- Off-road & Towing Grand Cherokee wins
- Engine & Performance0.3
- Fuel Economy & Range2.9
- Space & Practicality3.4
- Off-road & Towing7.6
- Engine & Performance1.2
- Fuel Economy & Range0.0
- Space & Practicality7.6
- Off-road & Towing10.0
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Grand Cherokee has 65 hp more power
Put simply, the Grand Cherokee is far ahead here: 293 hp compared with 228 hp. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
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The Grand Cherokee has 24% more cargo space
The Grand Cherokee’s 37.7 cu ft leaves the Blazer’s 30.5 cu ft well behind, so if this spec matters to you, the choice is easy. Cargo space behind the rear seats is what you use every day for groceries, strollers and luggage.
-
The Grand Cherokee has 1,700 lb more towing capacity
Not a close call. The Grand Cherokee lists 6,200 lb and the Blazer lists 4,500 lb. That’s a substantial gap. A higher towing capacity lets you pull bigger trailers, boats and campers.
-
The Blazer has better fuel economy
On paper, the Blazer is a touch ahead here, listing 25 mpg against 22 mpg. The Blazer uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot.
-
The Blazer has better city fuel economy
Among all the differences on this page, 22 mpg against 19 mpg is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the Blazer. In town, driving style has a big effect, but the Blazer starts from a better baseline.
Design & Size
- Blazer 191.8 in × 76.7 in × 67 in
- Grand Cherokee 193.5 in × 77.5 in × 70.9 in
The Blazer is the smaller car here, which some buyers will see as a plus and others as a compromise.
Dimensions
| Spec | Blazer | Grand Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 191.8 in | 193.5 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 76.7 in | 77.5 in |
| Height | 67 in | 70.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 112.7 in | 116.7 in |
Engine & Performance
Grand Cherokee leads
The Blazer is outclassed on engine & performance; the Grand Cherokee leads by a clear margin. The Grand Cherokee gives you 65 hp more power. The Grand Cherokee’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed. Bottom line for engine & performance: the Grand Cherokee has the edge.
Total system output
Blazer: 228 hp Grand Cherokee: 293 hp Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
Fuel Economy & Range
Blazer leads
Here the Blazer opens up one of its biggest leads in the comparison. The Blazer pulls ahead with better fuel economy. Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership. The takeaway: on fuel economy & range, the Blazer is the stronger car.
Fuel economy (combined)
Blazer: 25 mpg Grand Cherokee: 22 mpg Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold.
Fuel economy (city)
Blazer: 22 mpg Grand Cherokee: 19 mpg City fuel economy matters most if your driving is mostly short trips, traffic and stop-and-go commutes.
Space & Practicality
Grand Cherokee leads
This is one of the Grand Cherokee’s strongest areas. On space & practicality, the Blazer falls well short. The Grand Cherokee wins here with 24% more cargo space. The Grand Cherokee’s larger cargo area makes family trips and big shopping runs easier. Weighing only space & practicality, the Grand Cherokee comes out ahead.
Cargo (behind rear seats)
Blazer: 30.5 cu ft Grand Cherokee: 37.7 cu ft Cargo figures are measured in different ways by different makers, so small gaps may not show in practice.
Cargo (seats folded)
Blazer: 64.2 cu ft Grand Cherokee: 70.8 cu ft The Grand Cherokee can swallow more with the seats down, which makes it more versatile for occasional big loads.
Off-road & Towing
Grand Cherokee leads
The Grand Cherokee is the clear pick if off-road & towing is what you care about most. The Grand Cherokee comes with 1,700 lb more towing capacity. If you tow regularly, the Grand Cherokee’s higher rating gives you more margin. So if off-road & towing tops your list, lean toward the Grand Cherokee.
Max towing
Blazer: 4,500 lb Grand Cherokee: 6,200 lb Towing ratings depend on configuration and equipment, so check the exact trim you’re looking at.
Safety & Tech
Nothing to tally in the safety & tech section, but plenty to read. The table lists what the Blazer and the Grand Cherokee each use.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Blazer | Grand Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.0L turbo I4 | 3.6L V6 (Pentastar) |
| Total system output | 228 hp | 293 hp (winner) |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | FWD (AWD available) | RWD (4x4 available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Blazer | Grand Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 25 mpg (winner) | 22 mpg Thirstiest in class |
| Fuel economy (city) | 22 mpg (winner) | 19 mpg Thirstiest in the city |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 29 mpg (winner) | 26 mpg |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Blazer | Grand Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 30.5 cu ft | 37.7 cu ft (winner) |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 64.2 cu ft | 70.8 cu ft (winner) |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Blazer | Grand Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| Max towing | 4,500 lb | 6,200 lb (winner) Best towing in class |
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Blazer | Grand Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| Apple CarPlay / Android Auto | N/A (not specified) | Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| Driver-assist suite | Chevy Safety Assist | N/A (not specified) |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Blazer | Grand Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 191.8 in | 193.5 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 76.7 in | 77.5 in |
| Height | 67 in | 70.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 112.7 in | 116.7 in |
Price
| Spec | Blazer | Grand Cherokee |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $35,600 Lowest price in class | N/A (not specified) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Blazer if…
- you want better combined fuel economy (25 mpg vs 22 mpg)
- you mostly drive in town (22 mpg vs 19 mpg in the city)
- you cover long highway distances (29 mpg vs 26 mpg on the highway)
Choose the Grand Cherokee if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (293 hp vs 228 hp)
- you want more cargo space behind the rear seats (37.7 cu ft vs 30.5 cu ft)
- you tow a camper, boat or trailer (6,200 lb vs 4,500 lb)
- you want more room with the seats folded (70.8 cu ft vs 64.2 cu ft)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Blazer or the Grand Cherokee?
The Grand Cherokee makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if you need better fuel economy, which only the Blazer offers.
Which is larger, the Blazer or the Grand Cherokee?
The Grand Cherokee is the larger of the two. It measures 193.5 × 77.5 × 70.9 in, compared with 191.8 × 76.7 × 67 in for the Blazer.
Executive Summary
The Blazer from Chevrolet and the Grand Cherokee from Jeep go after the same buyer. Here’s how I see them. To me, the standout is that the Grand Cherokee offers 65 hp more power. Then there’s 24% more cargo space, another point for the Grand Cherokee. Still, if you care most about better fuel economy, the Blazer deserves a look.
In my head, the Blazer is the fuel economy & range pick and the Grand Cherokee is the engine & performance pick.
My pick: the Grand Cherokee, unless you value better fuel economy above everything else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.