2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs. Subaru Ascent: Which 3-Row SUV Wins?

More Power, More Towing: Where the Grand Cherokee L Pulls Ahead

For drivers across the Inland Northwest, towing isn't a weekend luxury. It's a weekly reality.

Boats headed to Lake Coeur d'Alene. Campers rolling over Fourth of July Pass. Snowmobile trailers loaded up for a Silver Valley run. This region demands real pulling power. And the 2026 Grand Cherokee L delivers it.

The Grand Cherokee L tows up to 6,200 lbs when properly equipped. The Subaru Ascent tops out at 5,000 lbs. That 1,200-lb difference covers a fully loaded mid-size travel trailer or a boat with gear aboard. On a long haul through mountain terrain, that margin matters.

Under the hood, the 2026 model year brings something genuinely new. The available 2.0L Hurricane I-4 turbo engine produces 324 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque; more output than the standard 3.6L V6, with better fuel economy to boot. EPA-estimated ratings reach 21 city and 27 highway mpg with the turbo four. The V6 remains available on entry trims and is no slouch at 293 horsepower.

The Ascent's 2.4L turbocharged flat-four puts out 260 horsepower. It's a capable, smooth engine for daily driving and lighter towing. But it doesn't close the gap on the Grand Cherokee L's top-end power or its pulling capacity.

For Spokane commuters, Coeur d'Alene families, and Silver Valley drivers who need their SUV to work as hard as they do, the Grand Cherokee L's towing and powertrain advantage is the clearest reason to choose Jeep.

Interior Space, Comfort, and Available Luxury Features

Both SUVs seat your whole crew. The difference is what the ride feels like once everyone's buckled in.

On raw cargo numbers, the Grand Cherokee L carries up to 84.6 cu ft of total cargo space. The Ascent reaches 75.6 cu ft. Behind the third row, they're roughly equal — about 17 cu ft each. Honest comparison means calling that one a wash.

Where the Ascent has a genuine edge: it seats up to eight passengers with its second-row bench option. If you're regularly hauling a full roster of kids, teammates, or extended family, that extra seat counts. It's a real advantage and worth knowing.

That said, the Grand Cherokee L offers best-in-class second-row legroom in its captain's chairs configuration. Adults actually fit back there — comfortably — on long drives. The Ascent's interior is practical and well-built, but it's designed around function. The Grand Cherokee L is designed around the experience.

Step into the upper trims and the gap widens fast. Available features on the Grand Cherokee L include:

• Massaging front seats for long commutes on I-90
• McIntosh® Reference Surround Sound audio system
• Available night vision system — a genuine capability no Ascent trim can match
• Quad-zone automatic climate control
• Available panoramic sunroof
• Premium Nappa leather seating surfaces

The Ascent offers heated front seats standard, a solid 11.6-inch touchscreen, and tri-zone climate control. Good, practical comfort. But the Grand Cherokee L's available luxury tier is in a different category altogether — one that makes the daily Spokane-to-Post Falls stretch feel far shorter than it is.

Off-Road Capability and All-Weather Confidence

Here's where the Jeep® brand story earns its credibility. And where these two SUVs genuinely part ways.

The Subaru Ascent is a very capable all-weather vehicle. Standard Symmetrical AWD on every trim is a real selling point. Its X-Mode system adds two power delivery settings for dirt and snow, and deeper snow and mud. On a slick I-90 morning or a wet forest road, the Ascent handles itself well. Give credit where it's due.

The Grand Cherokee L operates at a different level. Trail Rated® certification means this SUV has been tested across five real-world performance categories: traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, water fording, and articulation. That badge isn't a marketing claim. it's a documented capability standard.

Add the available Selec-Terrain® system with five drive modes (Auto, Snow, Sport, Sand/Mud, and Rock), and the available Quadra-Drive II® 4WD system with a rear electronic limited-slip differential, and you have an SUV that can handle conditions the Ascent simply wasn't built for.

Both vehicles offer 8.7 inches of ground clearance. Safety credentials are strong on both sides: the Grand Cherokee L holds a 5-Star overall NHTSA safety rating, and the Ascent's standard EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology is one of the better factory safety suites in the segment.

For Inland Northwest drivers facing real winter conditions — black ice on US-95, slushy mountain passes, unpaved Silver Valley back roads — the Grand Cherokee L's Trail Rated® engineering provides a deeper margin of confidence.

Which 3-Row SUV Is the Right Fit for Your Family?

The Subaru Ascent is a smart, practical SUV. Standard AWD at every trim level, seating for eight, solid safety tech, and a competitive price point — it earns its place in this segment.

But for drivers in Post Falls, Coeur d'Alene, Silver Valley, and Spokane who tow regularly, want a premium interior experience, and demand genuine off-road credibility, the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee L is the stronger SUV.

It tows more, carries more, offers a luxury tier the Ascent can't touch, and backs it all up with Trail Rated® capability built for the terrain and conditions of the Inland Northwest.

Come see it for yourself. Our team at Findlay Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in Post Falls knows these vehicles inside and out, and we're ready to put you in the driver's seat.

Call us at 208-457-7498 or stop by 550 N Alberta St, Post Falls, ID 83854.