Conquering Connecticut: Subaru Outback vs Jeep Grand Cherokee Off-Road Showdown

Subaru Outback vs Jeep Grand Cherokee CT Off-Road Comparison

When it comes to tackling Connecticut’s diverse terrain, from the winding roads of Litchfield Hills to the rocky shores of Long Island Sound, two vehicles often come to mind: the Subaru Outback vs Jeep Grand Cherokee CT. But which one is better suited for the off-road adventures that the Constitution State has to offer? We sat down with Buddy Blichfeldt from Quality Subaru in Wallingford, CT, to get an expert’s perspective on how these two popular SUVs compare when the pavement ends.

Ground Clearance: The First Line of Defense

One of the most critical factors in off-road performance is ground clearance. Here, the Subaru Outback shines, as Blichfeldt points out:

“Our ground clearance is 8.7 inches, where the ground clearance on some of the competitors such as the Hyundai Hyundai Sanat Fe is only seven inches. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is only 8.4 inches.”

This additional clearance can make a significant difference when navigating Connecticut’s varied terrain. Blichfeldt elaborates:

“Why ground clearance is important to the vehicle in Connecticut is because we get snowy winters and that additional ground clearance keeps your vehicle riding over that snow. It’s just a much better position to be in, in terms of getting through the snow without any issues.”

For those seeking even more capability, the Outback offers a specialized trim:

“If you chose the Subaru Outback Wilderness model, now you’re getting a vehicle that has 9.5 inches of ground clearance.”

All-Wheel Drive Systems: Tackling Tough Terrain

Both the Subaru Outback vs Jeep Grand Cherokee CT offer advanced all-wheel drive systems, but Blichfeldt highlights a unique aspect of Subaru’s approach:

“We are the only vehicle right now in this category that has the boxer engine, which is a horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine, which means the engine pistons oppose each other. It’s like the motor lays sideways.”

This design has several advantages for off-road performance:

“Because the way the engine is laid out, it allows for equal drive shafts in the front. And what it does for the all-wheel drive system by having equal shafts is it allows the vehicle to operate in a true all-wheel drive mode and where the power is going to be going is equally dispersed and it will go to the wheel that has the traction, if it has a wheel slipping, it will send the power to where it needs to go. The Outback also has higher ground clearance than most of its competitors including the Jeep Grand Cherokee.”

Engine Options and Towing Capacity

When it comes to power and towing capacity, both vehicles offer multiple engine options. Blichfeldt explains the Outback’s offerings:

“You can get a regular four cylinder engine or you can get a turbocharged if you’re looking for more power. So right off the bat, what that means is you have a choice if you want more power or if you want better fuel economy.”

While the Jeep Grand Cherokee offers higher towing capacities, Blichfeldt provides some perspective on this feature:

“When you look at the 2024 Subaru Outback and you compare that with a 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee, I mean, I tell people all the time, if your goal, if you’re gonna be consistently towing a boat, I’m gonna tell you, get the Grand Cherokee. I mean, it has a greater towing capacity. If that’s something that you’re gonna be doing over and over and over again, you know that that vehicle is designed to handle that you know a little bit better than ours.”

However, he adds an important caveat:

“But you know, that’s just one small segment of the buying population that they’re gonna be towing. For most people, if they’re going to tow something, it’s going to be a boat that’s most likely going to weigh over 5,000 pounds. And they’re not really even gonna be looking at this category of a vehicle.”

Off-Road Features and Technology

Both vehicles come equipped with various features designed to enhance off-road performance. Blichfeldt highlights some of the Outback’s capabilities:

“With the Wilderness, I would say, well, I would give it two words. I would give it confidence and comfort because the way they designed the suspension and also with the unique tires that were specifically made for that, it is so comfortable.”

He also notes the importance of the Outback’s X-MODE system:

“So, the Subaru in the city gets the same gas miles that competitors would get on the highway, and they don’t even come near 33 miles per gallon on the highway. So, it’s not even a fair comparison. Yeah, it is. The other thing is just in terms of the drive system, the Subaru Outback comes standard with all-wheel drive and X-MODE, which is our off-road assist technology.”

Comfort and Interior Design

While off-road capability is crucial, comfort during long trips is equally important for Connecticut drivers. Blichfeldt emphasizes the Outback’s strengths in this area:

“The Outback, I will say, is just so incredibly comfortable. I’ve taken multi-hour trips in the vehicle and never am I complaining about pain in my body. It’s just a very, very comfortable seat and a very comfortable ride.”

He also points out a unique aspect of the Outback’s interior design:

“I really like the Subaru design versus our competitors. It seems that the competitors are all going toward a system where they have, they place all of the infotainment much higher up on the dashboard. It’s almost like a tablet, you know, that’s sticking up out of the dash. Whereas the Subaru is in a much better position so that you have a much broader view of the road.”

Fuel Economy and Value

For Connecticut drivers concerned about fuel costs, Blichfeldt highlights the Outback’s efficiency:

“The Outback standard engine, you get 26 miles per gallon in the city, and you get 33 miles per gallon on the highway. So, if you compare that with competitors, it’s not even a fair comparison because now you’re looking at fuel economy ratings of 19 in the city for competitors and 26 on the highway.”

He also emphasizes the overall value proposition of the Outback:

“I think our vehicle compares superior to everything in its class because we offer such a broad range. You have the choice of which motor that you would want to get in the vehicle. You have the choice of which trim level, starting from a more basic trim level all the way up to our top of the line touring level.”

Reliability and Long-Term Ownership

When it comes to long-term reliability, Blichfeldt points out a key advantage of the Outback:

“You know, I think most vehicles today are very reliable, but what I like about Subaru is the lack of recalls we have versus our competition. I just can’t get over the amount of recalls that manufacturers are going through. And, it just, to me, it means they’re not really careful with either who their suppliers are or their manufacturing process, their shipping vehicles that aren’t ready for the market or haven’t been fully tested. And with Subaru, we just don’t have that huge massive amount of recalls that our competitors have.”

Conclusion

While both the Subaru Outback vs Jeep Grand Cherokee CT offer impressive off-road capabilities, the Outback seems to have several advantages for Connecticut drivers. It’s much lower price, unique all-wheel drive system, comfortable ride quality, and excellent fuel economy make it well-suited for tackling the state’s diverse terrain and unpredictable weather.

However, as Blichfeldt wisely advises, the best way to determine which vehicle is right for you is to experience them firsthand:

“You really need to sit in the vehicles to really get a true appreciation for them. I think that comparisons for these two vehicles are gonna come down to how you feel in them when you are sitting behind the wheel and driving them. It comes down to your body type and how you overall feel in the seats and the visibility you experience.”

So, if you’re in the market for an off-road capable SUV to explore Connecticut’s beautiful landscapes, consider taking both the Subaru Outback and Jeep Grand Cherokee for a test drive. Pay attention to how they handle, their comfort levels, and how well they meet your specific needs as a Connecticut driver.

FAQ