Pilot vs Grand Cherokee L
Few matchups in the three-row suv class come up as often as the Pilot against the Grand Cherokee L. It’s a tight one. Few of the gaps between these two are big enough to change how the car fits into your day.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Tie
- Space & Practicality Pilot wins
- Off-road & Towing Grand Cherokee L wins
- Engine & Performance4.9
- Space & Practicality6.0
- Off-road & Towing5.3
- Engine & Performance5.1
- Space & Practicality2.0
- Off-road & Towing6.8
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 Pilot has 8.1% more cargo space
Not a big gap, but a consistent one. The Pilot’s 18.6 cu ft beats the Grand Cherokee L’s 17.2 cu ft. Cargo figures are measured in different ways by different makers, so small gaps may not show in practice.
-
The Pilot has room for 8 seats
The Pilot wins this narrowly, 8 seats against 7 seats, which makes it more of a bonus than a reason to buy. Extra seats mean you can take more people along without taking a second car.
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The Grand Cherokee L has 1,200 lb more towing capacity
The Grand Cherokee L has a modest edge on max towing: 6,200 lb against 5,000 lb for the Pilot. If you tow regularly, the Grand Cherokee L’s higher rating gives you more margin.
-
The Grand Cherokee L has
A difference, but not a ranking: 121.7 in for the Grand Cherokee L, 113.8 in for the Pilot. Neither is better in general; it’s a trade-off between cabin space and maneuverability.
Design & Size
The Grand Cherokee L has the bigger footprint. That can mean more room to work with, but also more to carry, park or pocket.
Dimensions
| Spec | Pilot | Grand Cherokee L |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 200.1 in | 204.9 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 78.5 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Height | 71 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 113.8 in | 121.7 in |
Engine & Performance
Too close to call
The differences on engine & performance are small enough to ignore in daily use. Don’t let engine & performance decide this one; look at the other sections instead.
Space & Practicality
Pilot leads
This section belongs to the Pilot. In space & practicality, it leads the Grand Cherokee L by a margin that’s hard to ignore. The Pilot delivers 8.1% more cargo space. Cargo space behind the rear seats is what you use every day for groceries, strollers and luggage. If space & practicality is your priority, the Pilot is the car to pick.
Cargo (behind rear seats)
Pilot: 18.6 cu ft Grand Cherokee L: 17.2 cu ft The Pilot’s larger cargo area makes family trips and big shopping runs easier.
Seats
Pilot: 8 seats Grand Cherokee L: 7 seats Third-row seats are often best for kids, so check legroom figures if adults will sit there.
Off-road & Towing
Grand Cherokee L leads
This area is close, with the Grand Cherokee L just ahead of the Pilot. The Grand Cherokee L pulls ahead with 1,200 lb more towing capacity. Towing ratings depend on configuration and equipment, so check the exact trim you’re looking at. Anyone shopping mainly on off-road & towing should start with the Grand Cherokee L.
Max towing
Pilot: 5,000 lb Grand Cherokee L: 6,200 lb A higher towing capacity lets you pull bigger trailers, boats and campers.
Safety & Tech
We don’t score this area directly, because the safety & tech specs are labels rather than measurements. The table shows what each lists.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Pilot | Grand Cherokee L |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 3.5L V6 | 3.6L V6 (Pentastar) |
| Total system output | 285 hp | 293 hp |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | FWD (AWD available) | RWD (4x4 available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Pilot | Grand Cherokee L |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 22 mpg | N/A (not specified) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 19 mpg | N/A (not specified) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 27 mpg | N/A (not specified) |
| Fuel tank | 18.5 gal | N/A (not specified) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Pilot | Grand Cherokee L |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 8 seats (winner) | 7 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 18.6 cu ft (winner) | 17.2 cu ft |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 87 cu ft | 84.6 cu ft |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Pilot | Grand Cherokee L |
|---|---|---|
| Max towing | 5,000 lb | 6,200 lb (winner) |
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Pilot | Grand Cherokee L |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | 12.3 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Apple CarPlay / Android Auto | N/A (not specified) | Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| Driver-assist suite | Honda Sensing | N/A (not specified) |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Pilot | Grand Cherokee L |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 200.1 in | 204.9 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 78.5 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Height | 71 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 113.8 in | 121.7 in |
Price
| Spec | Pilot | Grand Cherokee L |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $42,395 | 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 Pilot if…
- you want more cargo space behind the rear seats (18.6 cu ft vs 17.2 cu ft)
- you regularly carry extra passengers (8 seats vs 7 seats)
- you want the more compact car
Choose the Grand Cherokee L if…
- you want the higher towing capacity (6,200 lb vs 5,000 lb)
- you want the bigger car
- you already know your way around Jeep’s products
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Pilot or the Grand Cherokee L?
The Pilot makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if you know that 1,200 lb more towing capacity would make a real difference in your routine.
Which is larger, the Pilot or the Grand Cherokee L?
Going by the official dimensions, the Grand Cherokee L is the larger one: 204.9 in against the Pilot’s 200.1 × 78.5 × 71 in.
Executive Summary
Comparing the Pilot and the Grand Cherokee L feels a bit like comparing two good restaurants with different menus. In daily life, I think the first difference you’d notice is 8.1% more cargo space, and that goes to the Pilot. Fairness check: the Grand Cherokee L does come with 1,200 lb more towing capacity.
A quick self-test: do you care more about space & practicality or off-road & towing? The first answer means the Pilot, the second means the Grand Cherokee L.
My pick: the Pilot. I’d only go for the Grand Cherokee L if you care more about 1,200 lb more towing capacity than anything else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.