Palisade vs Grand Cherokee L
Same class, different makers. The Palisade (Hyundai) and the Grand Cherokee L (Jeep) are built for the same kind of buyer. Neither car runs away with this one; most of the differences are small enough to shrug off.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Tie
- Space & Practicality Palisade wins
- Off-road & Towing Grand Cherokee L wins
- Engine & Performance4.9
- Off-road & Towing5.3
- Engine & Performance5.1
- 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
-
The Palisade has room for 8 seats
Think of it as a tiebreaker rather than a deal-breaker: 8 seats for the Palisade, 7 seats for the Grand Cherokee L. The Palisade has room for more passengers, useful for growing families and carpools.
-
The Grand Cherokee L has 1,200 lb more towing capacity
On paper, the Grand Cherokee L is a touch ahead here, listing 6,200 lb against 5,000 lb. If you tow regularly, the Grand Cherokee L’s higher rating gives you more margin.
Design & Size
By the manufacturer’s measurements, the Palisade is the more compact car, and the Grand Cherokee L the larger one.
Dimensions
| Spec | Palisade | Grand Cherokee L |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 199.2 in | 204.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 116.9 in | 121.7 in |
Engine & Performance
Too close to call
Neither the Palisade nor the Grand Cherokee L has a real advantage in the engine & performance category. In short, engine & performance is a draw; the decision lies elsewhere.
Space & Practicality
Palisade leads
The space & practicality numbers lean toward the Palisade, not dramatically but consistently. Here the Palisade offers room for 8 seats. Extra seats mean you can take more people along without taking a second car. So if space & practicality tops your list, lean toward the Palisade.
Seats
Palisade: 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 Palisade. Choose the Grand Cherokee L and you get 1,200 lb more towing capacity. A higher towing capacity lets you pull bigger trailers, boats and campers. The off-road & towing verdict goes to the Grand Cherokee L.
Max towing
Palisade: 5,000 lb Grand Cherokee L: 6,200 lb Towing ratings depend on configuration and equipment, so check the exact trim you’re looking at.
Safety & Tech
This area doesn’t reduce to a single number. The table shows the safety & tech details for both, so you can judge what matters to you.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Palisade | Grand Cherokee L |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 3.5L V6 | 3.6L V6 (Pentastar) |
| Total system output | 287 hp | 293 hp |
| Torque | 260 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | FWD (AWD available) | RWD (4x4 available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Palisade | Grand Cherokee L |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 21 mpg Thirstiest in class | N/A (not specified) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 19 mpg | N/A (not specified) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 25 mpg Thirstiest on the highway | N/A (not specified) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Palisade | Grand Cherokee L |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 8 seats (winner) | 7 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | N/A (not specified) | 17.2 cu ft |
| Cargo (seats folded) | N/A (not specified) | 84.6 cu ft |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Palisade | Grand Cherokee L |
|---|---|---|
| Max towing | 5,000 lb | 6,200 lb (winner) |
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Palisade | 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 | Hyundai SmartSense | N/A (not specified) |
| Basic warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Palisade | Grand Cherokee L |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 199.2 in | 204.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 116.9 in | 121.7 in |
“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 Palisade if…
- you regularly carry extra passengers (8 seats vs 7 seats)
- you like a car that takes up less room
- you already use other Hyundai products
Choose the Grand Cherokee L if…
- you tow a camper, boat or trailer (6,200 lb vs 5,000 lb)
- you prefer a larger car and have the room for it
- you’re comfortable with how Jeep does things
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Palisade or the Grand Cherokee L?
There’s no single right answer. The Palisade leads on space & practicality and the Grand Cherokee L on off-road & towing.
Which is larger, the Palisade or the Grand Cherokee L?
The Grand Cherokee L is the larger of the two. It measures 204.9 in, compared with 199.2 in for the Palisade.
Executive Summary
Brand loyalty aside, I tried to judge the Palisade and the Grand Cherokee L purely on what they offer. In daily life, I think the first difference you’d notice is room for 8 seats, and that goes to the Palisade. That said, the Grand Cherokee L answers with 1,200 lb more towing capacity, which some people will value more.
I’d match them like this: space & practicality to the Palisade, off-road & towing to the Grand Cherokee L.
My pick: I’d go with the Palisade if I cared most about space & practicality, and the Grand Cherokee L if off-road & towing mattered more.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.