Features & Specs

Max Horsepower

271 HP

245 HP

Standard Transmission

9-Speed Automatic

6-Speed Automatic

Towing Capacity

4,500 pounds

3,500 pounds

Off-Road Ready?

Yes

No

2017 Jeep Cherokee vs 2017 Ford Escape near Baker City, OR

When you want the versatility, power and agility of a crossover SUV without sacrificing on modern touches, then you want to take a look at these exciting driving options! The 2017 Jeep Cherokee offers a smooth powerful ride, intuitive technological features and off-road ready driving. The 2017 Ford Escape provides a respectable fuel-economy, a spacious cargo bay and the option for all-wheel drive. When you want a ruggedly refined vehicle and exceptional handling, you need an SUV! Read on to learn more about these exciting options!

2017 Jeep Cherokee Power & Handling

Offered in five unique trim levels, the 2017 Jeep Cherokee is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 184 horsepower and 171 lb-ft of torque. For even more power, the 2017 Jeep Cherokee offers an optional 3.2-liter V6 engine, capable of generating 271 horsepower and 239 lb-ft of torque! Both engines are paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivering a seamless, smooth shift throughout the speed range. All trims except the Trailhawk are offered with an option of front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, while the off-road Trailhawk is only offered in four-wheel drive. Any Cherokee equipped with 4WD gets a choice of the Active Drive I and Active Drive II systems, each with unique four-wheel driving configurations. Active Drive I connects with the Selec-Terrain system without requiring input from the driver, while the Active Drive II system uses low-range gearing and a locking rear differential to enhance all-terrain controls. An optional towing package provides the ability to tow up to 4,500 pounds, almost double the 2017 Ford Escape’s towing ability!

2017 Ford Escape Power & Handling

The 2017 Ford Escape is offered with a holdover from past models, the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The 2.5-liter engine is rated at 168 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque and comes paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. The engine can be enhanced, with a 1.5-liter turbo engine that provides 179 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, which still doesn’t meet the numbers put out by the Cherokee’s base engine offering. The final option for the 2017 Ford Escape is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 245 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. The 2017 Ford Escape is rated to tow up to 3,500 pounds when you add in the optional towing packages that are available, and when paired with only the 2.0 liter. At 1,500 pounds less than the 2017 Jeep Cherokee can tow, the Ford Escape can seem underwhelming on power.

2017 Jeep Cherokee Features & Design

Brawny and buff, the 2017 Jeep Cherokee doesn’t forgo sleek tech and the most modern conveniences in this five-passenger crossover SUV. The standard 5-inch touchscreen display center offers Bluetooth and USB compatibility, a six-speaker audio system, an auxiliary audio input and 24.6 cubic feet of cargo space possible. The five trim levels graduate in luxuriousness, features accents like a 115-volt household outlet, LED interior lighting, a rearview camera, leather-wrapped interior features and a folding front passenger seat. The Trailhawk trim is the most radical departure from the base trim, featuring the Active Drive II system, all-terrain tires, a higher ground clearance, off-road suspension tuning, tow hooks, skid plates and leather upholstery. Hill ascent and descent controls keep your tires firmly on the ground in inclement weather, providing exceptional traction and handling. Additional packages offer bundled features, like the Towing Package, Technology Package and interior trim-heavy 75th Anniversary Package. This sleek and stylish vehicle offers everything you need to tackle your adventurous lifestyle!

2017 Ford Escape Features & Design

The 2017 Ford Escape is a fairly bare-bones SUV, especially when compared with the sleek modern touches that fill the interior of the 2017 Jeep Cherokee. The Escape’s dashboard is small and cluttered, with a dated design and clunky controls. Regardless, many high-tech features are offered throughout the trims, with standards like air-conditioning, cruise control and a 4.2-inch display (not a touchscreen) being provided on the base trim. A rearview camera is offered as a standard option, a smart inclusion because the Escape’s visibility can be limited. As a fleet-centered vehicle, it can be difficult to find well-equipped Ford Escape’s on dealer’s lots, but those who find the top trims with optional packages can expect a smaller, 110-volt outlet, a larger display screen available with touchscreen capabilities and rear parking sensors, again to help with rear visibility and maneuverability. AppLink Sync smartphone integration is offered on the Ford Escape, a much-needed upgrade from the trouble-plagued MyFordTouch systems previously found, though it is still not as sleek as the Uconnect systems found on the 2017 Jeep Cherokee.

Conclusions

When you load your SUV with your most precious cargo, you want to know the vehicle you’re driving prioritizes your family’s safety. The 2017 Jeep Cherokee offers antilock brakes, stability and traction controls and a cabin full of airbags as standard safety features. Package options include adaptive cruise controls, forward collision warnings, automatic emergency braking systems, lane departure warnings and lane-keeping assistances to improve driver and passenger safety. The available Uconnect Access emergency telematics system adds on-demand roadside assistance, automatic crash notification and stolen vehicle tracking to the laundry list of features already offered for the 2017 Jeep Cherokee! In comparison, the 2017 Ford Escape offers standard rearview cameras and blind-spot mirrors, but holds out on blind-spot monitoring, forward collision alerts and lane departure mitigations services until higher trim levels are chosen. The 2017 Jeep Cherokee and 2017 Ford Escape are both well-crafted, interestingly configured SUV’s that deserve a test drive and on-road comparisons! Come down to Legacy Dodge Chrysler Jeep or give us a call at (888) 837-0361 to schedule a test drive today!