Midsize 3-row SUVs are popular family vehicles because of their minivan-like practicality and, in some cases, rugged off-road capabilities. If you like the idea of a vehicle that can take the kids to school but play in the mud on weekends, then it’s a good time to be shopping for a family SUV like the Jeep Grand Cherokee L or Chevy Traverse.
Let’s take a closer look at these midsize SUVs and see which is best for your family.
2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L
The Jeep Grand Cherokee L takes everything we love about the iconic midsize SUV and adds a third row of seats. It does what the Grand Cherokee has always done well: balances on-road comfort and off-road capability without compromise. Pricing starts at $40,830.
Jeep Grand Cherokee L Highlights
Off-road chops: As you may have guessed just by the names of these SUVs, the Jeep is the more competent off-roader than the Chevy. Granted, the Traverse Z71 is pretty rugged, but the capable Grand Cherokee L has multiple all-wheel-drive (AWD) systems available, including Quadra-Drive II with low-range gearing and an electronic limited-slip rear differential.
McIntosh audio: The optional McIntosh premium audio system in the Jeep Grand Cherokee L is quite simply one of the finest car audio systems we’ve ever tested. If top-notch audio is a priority and you don’t have the budget for a luxury SUV, this adds some appeal to the Grand Cherokee L.
Uconnect infotainment system: Jeep consistently delivers some of the most user-friendly infotainment tech, and the Grand Cherokee L is no exception. The Uconnect 5 system is feature-rich and a pleasure to use. An 8.4-inch screen is standard, and a bigger 10.1-inch display is optional.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Grand Cherokee L models for sale near you.
2025 Chevrolet Traverse
The Chevrolet Traverse is still fresh from a full redesign in 2024. It retains its calling card as one of the most spacious and family-friendly midsize SUVs in its class, with a third row that adults can actually fit in, plus plenty of cargo space to boot. Pricing starts at $41,995.
Chevrolet Traverse Highlights
Super Cruise: Super Cruise is one of our favorite hands-free highway driving systems, and it’s available on the Chevy Traverse. It’s capable of hands-free driving on more than 700,000 miles of North American highways and even perform hands-free lane changes.
Bigger interior: The Chevy Traverse is one of the roomiest midsize SUVs in its class. Compared to the Jeep, the Chevy has an extra two inches of third-row legroom and 33 percent more cargo space behind the third row. We know from experience that it’s easier to stuff a stroller into the back of a Traverse.
Better fuel economy: The Chevy Traverse archives a combined fuel economy rating of up to 23 mpg, which beats the Jeep’s best rating of 21 mpg. Every drop of fuel counts in a big family SUV like this, and the Traverse is a little easier on the gas budget.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Traverse models for sale near you.
Similarities
Similar in size and pricing, these 3-row SUVs get pretty luxurious in their upper trims. Moreover, they both boast great safety ratings.
Pricing
New 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Prices
New 2025 Chevrolet Traverse Prices
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors.
The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles and New 2025 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership.
These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L | 2025 Chevrolet Traverse | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 3.6-liter V6 | 2.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 293 hp @ 6,400 rpm | 328 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 257 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 326 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy MPG | 19 city/26 hwy/21 combined | 20 city/27 hwy/23 combined |
| Also Available | AWD | AWD |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 Years/36,000 Miles | 3 Years/36,000 Miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 Years/60,000 Miles | 5 Years/60,000 Miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5-Star | 5-Star |
| Max Seating Capacity | 7 | 8 |
| Wheelbase | 121.7 inches | 121.0 inches |
| Overall Length | 204.9 inches | 204.4 inches |
| Width | 77.9 inches | 79.5 inches |
| Height | 71.5 inches | 69.9 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.3 feet | TBD |
| Headroom, 1st Row | 39.8 inches | 42.6 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 39.9 inches | 39.9 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd Row | 37.3 inches | 38.2 inches |
| Legroom, 1st Row | 41.3 inches | 44.2 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 39.4 inches | 41.4 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd Row | 37.3 inches | 32.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 1st Row | 59.2 inches | 62.2 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 58.0 inches | 62.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd Row | 51.9 inches | 57.7 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 17.2/46.9/84.6 cubic feet | 22.9/56.6/97.6 cubic feet |
Conclusion
The Jeep Grand Cherokee L has genuinely good off-road capabilities and gets more luxurious than you might expect when fully loaded. However, the Chevy Traverse also gets pretty fancy, holds its own off-road, and has quite a bit more interior space. One could argue that the Grand Cherokee L is the rugged and near-luxury choice, while the Traverse is a more practical option because of its bigger interior and slightly better fuel economy.