Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee VS 2011 BMW X5 Near Scottsdale, AZ

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Jeep Grand Cherokee are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X5 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Grand Cherokee offers an optional collision warning system, which detects an impending crash through forward mounted sensors and flashes a bright light and sounds a loud, distinctive tone to warn the driver to brake or maneuver immediately to avoid a collision. The X5 doesn't offer a collision warning system.

The Grand Cherokee’s optional blind spot warning system uses digital cameras monitored by computer to alert the driver to moving objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The X5 doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver's blind spots.

To help make backing safer, the Grand Cherokee’s optional cross-path warning system uses wide-angle radar in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The X5 doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the Grand Cherokee and the X5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding and available all-wheel drive.

For its top level performance in frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard Electronic Stability Control, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the Grand Cherokee as a “Top Pick” for 2010, a rating only granted to 55 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The X5 was not a “Top Pick.”

Jeep’s powertrain warranty covers the Grand Cherokee 1 year and 50,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the X5 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 8 times as many Jeep dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier to get service under the Grand Cherokee’s warranty.

The Grand Cherokee’s optional 5.7 V8 produces 60 more horsepower (360 vs. 300) and 90 lbs.-ft. more torque (390 vs. 300) than the X5 xDrive35i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6 cyl.

An engine control system that can shut down half of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Grand Cherokee V8’s fuel efficiency. The X5 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Grand Cherokee has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the X5 (24.6 vs. 22.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Grand Cherokee offers an optional full size spare tire so your trip isn’t interrupted by a flat. A full size spare isn’t available on the X5, it requires you to depend on a temporary spare or run-flat tires, either of which has mileage and speed limitations.

For better maneuverability, the Grand Cherokee’s turning circle is 4.9 feet tighter than the X5’s (37.1 feet vs. 42 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Grand Cherokee Quadra-Lift has a 2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the X5 (10.7 vs. 8.7 inches), allowing the Grand Cherokee to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 500 pounds less than the BMW X5.

The Grand Cherokee has 3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the X5 (105.4 vs. 102.4).

The Grand Cherokee has .6 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more rear headroom and 2 inches more rear legroom than the X5.

The Grand Cherokee has a much larger cargo area than the X5 with its rear seat up (35.1 vs. 7.1 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Grand Cherokee. The X5 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Grand Cherokee’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The X5’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

The Grand Cherokee offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The driver can also remotely turn on the heater or air conditioner. The X5 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Grand Cherokee offers an optional 115 volt a/c outlet in the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The X5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.