The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse and Jeep Grand Cherokee are two different approaches to midsize SUV greatness. The Traverse prioritizes family room and bleeding-edge tech with up to eight seats, while the Grand Cherokee prioritizes off-road capability and traditional SUV muscle in a smaller, five-passenger package.
When a midsize SUV is purchased, two solid contenders emerge that meet different family needs and driving styles. The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse offers three-row capability with cutting-edge tech, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee offers legendary off-road capability with refined on-road manners. Understanding what each vehicle does well and where they fall short enables families to select the vehicle that best suits their specific lifestyle and driving requirements.
At O'Neill's Chevrolet in Avon, Connecticut's top Chevrolet dealer since 1920, family counselors frequently help consumers compare these cars. Their decades of service to Connecticut families enable them to provide great counsel on how these automobiles drive under the most common conditions, from daily driving within the suburbs to weekend excursions upon New England's varied terrain.
Size and Seating: Family Capacity Considerations
The greatest variation among these SUVs is the way they handle passenger and cargo room. The Traverse goes all in on the three-row midsize SUV concept, with seating for seven standard and an available eight-passenger capacity being provided on the entry-level LT model. The third row provides true adult space, a huge advantage over most competitors where the farthest rearward seats are more like emergency accommodations.
The Grand Cherokee takes its solution in a different direction, focusing on a two-row premium configuration that seats five individuals. This design ethos prioritizes space for passengers and cargo over seating capacity. For those families who do at times need extra seating, Jeep offers the Grand Cherokee L, a three-row variant tested separately, but the standard Grand Cherokee maintains its traditional two-row layout.
Space Utilization Comparison
- Traverse: Space for 7-8 passengers with third row able to seat adults
- Grand Cherokee: 5-passenger capacity with more personal space per passenger
- Cargo flexibility varies significantly based on seating configuration needs
O'Neill's Chevrolet's personnel observe that the most basic difference generally determines the better choice for families. Those requiring constant use for more people look upon the Traverse's three-row arrangement as essential, while the wider two-row layout of the Grand Cherokee appeals to families prioritizing comfort and room for five or fewer individuals.
Performance and Powertrain: Different Approaches for Power
Each vehicle uses strong powertrains, but with distinctly different characteristics that reflect their design focuses. The 2025 Traverse features a 328-hp, 326 lb-ft of torque turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder and an eight-speed automatic transmission. This new engine offers improved performance and greater efficiency than the V6 in the previous generation.
The Grand Cherokee is more of a conservative approach with its 3.6-liter normally aspirated Pentastar V6 producing 293 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, sharing an eight-speed automatic transmission. While less maximum power than the Traverse, the V6 provides smooth, anticipatory power production that is appropriate to the refined nature of the Grand Cherokee's driving.
Performance Characteristics:
- Traverse 0-60 mph: Approximately 7-8 seconds with buttery-smooth acceleration
- Grand Cherokee 0-60 mph: 7.4 seconds of flat-keel power delivery
- Traverse focuses on efficiency with turbocharging
- Grand Cherokee focuses on dependability through naturally aspirated engineering
Both powertrains in normal everyday driving conditions around Connecticut are adequate for merging onto highways, passing, and general everyday driving needs. The Traverse turbocharged engine provides more immediate torque at lower RPMs, while the Grand Cherokee V6 provides linear power delivery that is desired by drivers who value predictable acceleration dynamics.
Capability and Towing: Sizing Vehicle for Function
Towing capability is most likely to enter into play with the SUV selection for active families, and all of them have reasonable capabilities but with different strengths. The Traverse offers a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds when its available trailer package is added, which includes heavy-duty cooling, a 220-amp alternator, and an innovative "Hitch View" camera system for improved trailer alignment.
The Grand Cherokee boasts best-in-class towing capacity of up to 6,200 pounds, best-in-class capability for two-row midsize SUVs. It reflects the truck-based heritage of the Grand Cherokee and allows it to handle heavier recreation equipment like larger boats or travel trailers.
Towing and Capability Features:
- Traverse: 5,000-pound capacity with state-of-the-art trailer assist technology
- Grand Cherokee: 6,200-pound capacity with battle-proven heavy-duty systems
- Grand Cherokee offers more off-road capability with various 4x4 systems
- Traverse Z71 features better all-terrain capability for light off-road use
For Connecticut families who tow boats on a regular basis to Long Island Sound or travel trailers to northern New England, the additional towing capacity of the Grand Cherokee is well worth it. However, the Traverse's new trailer aid technology makes towing accessible to less able drivers.
Technology and Interior: Contemporary Convenience vs Classic Luxury
The contrast of the technology illustrates each vehicle's different approach to interior sophistication. The Traverse begins with a staggering 17.7-inch diagonal standard screen on all levels, which is best in class for infotainment screen size. Google Built-In integration provides seamless smartphone connectivity, and available Super Cruise hands-free driving tech delivers next-level driver assistance for eligible roads.
Grand Cherokee takes the more traditional luxury route with a 10.1-inch display and Uconnect 5 infotainment system. While smaller than the Traverse's display, the system is easy to use with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. Upscale models come with premium features like McIntosh audio setups with up to 19 speakers and massaging seats available as an option.
Technology Highlights:
- Traverse: 17.7-inch display, Google Built-In, available Super Cruise
- Grand Cherokee: 10.1-inch touchscreen, Uconnect 5, McIntosh audio optional
- Both feature total smartphone integration
- Traverse emphasizes innovative technology integration
- Grand Cherokee focuses on luxury refinement and high-end quality materials
At O'Neill's Chevrolet, Traverse's tech-savvy attitude is usually preferred by consumers, particularly families who have teenagers who like technology and want to enjoy the big touchscreen and advanced connectivity features. The user-friendly operation of the system reduces the learning curve that is typically linked with premium infotainment systems.
Fuel Economy: Efficiency Matters
Fuel economy is one area where both vehicles hold up in the midsize SUV class, though with different efficiency strategies. The Traverse boasts EPA ratings of 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway in front-wheel drive, or 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway in all-wheel drive. Such figures are a credit to turbocharging and sophisticated transmission engineering.
The Grand Cherokee delivers the same fuel economy no matter the drivetrain configuration, rating 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway with both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. This unusual aspect reflects sophisticated engineering that minimizes the efficiency penalty traditionally associated with four-wheel drive systems.
For Connecticut drivers requiring fuel economy for daily driving or driving on the road for vacations, both offer reasonable economy for their capacity and size. The Traverse's slight advantage in highway fuel economy comes into play for family drivers who drive frequently between Connecticut and other New England states.
Off-Road and All-Weather Capability
The varied topography and seasonal climatic conditions of Connecticut make all-weather capability an issue of concern for most families. The Grand Cherokee leads in this case with three Quadra-Trac 4x4 systems to choose from, Selec-Terrain traction control with different driving modes, and available Quadra-Lift air suspension for extra ground clearance for challenging terrain.
The Traverse fulfills all-weather needs via optional all-wheel drive with terrain modes on the Z71 model. It's not quite as high-tech off-road as the Grand Cherokee but provides safe traction for snow, gravel roads, and light off-road trail driving typical of Connecticut outdoor recreation.
All-Weather Capability:
- Grand Cherokee: Several 4x4 systems with high off-road engineering
- Traverse Z71: Enhanced all-wheel drive with terrain modes
- Grand Cherokee features superior ground clearance and approach angles
- Traverse possesses adequate all-weather traction to drive through most Connecticut weather conditions
Pricing and Value Proposition
Pricing plans reflect the target market and include focus of individual vehicles. The 2025 Traverse starts at about $40,600 for the LT model, which puts it firmly in the midsize three-row SUV class. Its higher base price is because the vehicle comes standard with three rows of seating and upscale technology features.
The Grand Cherokee begins at approximately $36,495 with the economy Laredo model, which offers a lower sticker because it is two-row. However, loaded versions quickly approach near-luxury SUV price points, with the Summit Reserve approaching more than $63,000.
For Connecticut families seeking excellent value, the Traverse LT provides excellent standard features like the large touchscreen, captain's chairs, wireless charging, and complete safety features. The Grand Cherokee Limited is good value at about $44,905 with leather seats, heated seats, and premium interior trim.
Safety and Driver Assistance
Both models prioritize family safety with next-generation driver assistance technology but in different form. The Traverse offers standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control on all trims. Super Cruise hands-free driving technology on eligible roads is optional.
Grand Cherokee has active safety features as standard, including lane keeping, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Traffic sign recognition, 360-degree cameras, and semi-autonomous parking aid are options.
Making the Right Choice
The decision between the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse and Jeep Grand Cherokee boils down almost entirely to family size requirements and driving priorities. Those needing frequent seating of seven or more people will appreciate the three-row layout of the Traverse as a requirement, but families with alternative priorities, such as luxury, off-road capability, or towing capacity, will be drawn to the Grand Cherokee's niche design.
Connecticut families who require the newest tech, maximum interior space, and new efficiency will appreciate the Traverse's overall family mobility solution. Families that require proven SUV capability, refined materials, and proven off-road performance will be attracted to the Grand Cherokee's proven high standard.
Conclusion: Two Outstanding Options for Different Needs
Both the 2025 Chevrolet Traverse and Jeep Grand Cherokee are leading midsize SUV choices, both of which excel in unique areas that matter to families. The Traverse leads others with space efficiency, technology integration, and new convenience features, while the Grand Cherokee excels at luxury refinement, off-road ability, and towing capacity.
Visit O'Neill's Chevrolet today and experience for yourself the Traverse's amazing space and tech. Their friendly sales experts will demonstrate how the Traverse's innovative features simplify family life and provide you with the reliability and capability busy Connecticut families need. Either the family-focused Traverse or the capability-focused Grand Cherokee is a wise investment in safe, reliable transportation that will take your family where they need to go for years to come.