Valley Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Columbus
Comparing two modern family SUVs isn’t just about screens and seat counts. It’s about how the vehicle fits real daily life in Pataskala, OH, from quick errands on Broad Street to weekend treks toward Buckeye Lake or a downtown run on I-70. That’s the spirit of the 2026 Jeep® Grand Cherokee, which arrives with a refreshed look, newly standard Uconnect® 5 NAV on a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and a new 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo engine that broadens both capability and confidence. Against the equally reputable 2026 Mazda CX-90, the Grand Cherokee makes a compelling case with available features such as Quadra-Lift® Air Suspension, an available Trail Rated® Trailhawk® model, and the available Hands-Free Active Driving Assist. In this 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2026 Mazda CX-90 guide, we’ll dive into the details that matter here in Pataskala, OH, including how these SUVs manage towing, tech, safety, and third-row flexibility. As your local team at Valley Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Columbus, we’ve organized what you need to know so you can choose the SUV that best supports your life—whether that’s commuting between Columbus and Granville, carpooling through Licking County, or heading out beyond the pavement.
| Feature | 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 2026 Mazda CX-90 |
|---|---|---|
| Available Hands-Free Active Driving Assist | Yes | No |
| Front Passenger Interactive Touchscreen Display | Yes | No |
| Available 19-Speaker McIntosh® Audio | Yes | No |
| Quadra-Lift® Air Suspension | Yes | No |
| Rear Electronic Limited-Slip Differential (Quadra-Drive® II) | Yes | No |
| Trail Rated® capability (Trailhawk®) | Yes | No |
| Up to 6,200-lb max towing | Yes | No |
| Interior FamCAM rear-seat camera (Grand Cherokee L) | Yes | No |
| 360-degree Surround View Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Plug-in Hybrid variant available | Yes | Yes |
The latest Grand Cherokee refines its iconic stance with new front fascias, a new grille, and redesigned LED headlamps that throw a sharp beam and a bold first impression. Wheel designs range up to 21 inches on higher trims, and the available hands-free power liftgate is a daily convenience when your hands are full of groceries or sports gear. The squared-off shoulders and confident proportions hint at deeper capability—exactly what you get when you step into Trailhawk® 4xe or equip Quadra-Lift® Air Suspension. The CX-90 wears Mazda’s sculpted KODO design with dark chrome accents available on upper trims, and it presents a sleek, premium aura. But where the CX-90 leans stylish, the Grand Cherokee layers in function—clear wheel-arch geometry for articulation, purposeful approach and departure angles, and hardware that supports real off-pavement exploration. Even small details resonate in central Ohio life: the Grand Cherokee’s available power-folding third row in L models helps when you’re rotating between passengers and cargo, and its broad greenhouse and available 360-degree Surround View Camera provide confident sightlines navigating tight lots around city fields or trailheads.
Inside, the Grand Cherokee focuses on calm, intuitive command. The driver’s seat faces a crisp 12.3-inch Uconnect® 5 NAV touchscreen with newly standard navigation, and premium touches are easy to spot, from the available multicolor ambient LED lighting to Nappa leather seating. Available 16-way front seats with massage turn longer drives on I-70 into a relaxing routine, and a Class-Exclusive available Front Passenger Interactive Touchscreen Display allows your copilot to send navigation updates to the main screen, so eyes stay ahead and conversations stay easy. Audiophiles can choose the available McIntosh® system with up to 19 speakers powered by a 17-channel amplifier—an upscale sound experience that makes podcasts and playlists feel like studio sessions. Families who need more space can select the three-row Grand Cherokee L with seating for up to seven and multiple cargo configurations, plus the available Interior FamCAM that displays a clear view of the second and third rows. While the Mazda CX-90 counters with a tasteful cabin, available panoramic moonroof, and an available Bose® audio system, it doesn’t match the Grand Cherokee’s passenger-side screen, McIntosh® firepower, or its rear-seat camera—useful for quick glances during school pickups in Pataskala, OH.
Capability starts below the surface. The Grand Cherokee’s available Quadra-Lift® Air Suspension automatically lowers at highway speeds for aerodynamics or raises when you dial up the trail, and its Selec-Terrain® Management System lets you choose among Auto, Sport, Rock, Snow, and Mud/Sand. Three available 4×4 systems—Quadra-Trac I®, Quadra-Trac II®, and Quadra-Drive® II—bring escalating traction benefits, with Quadra-Drive® II adding a rear electronic limited-slip differential for torque sending that keeps you moving when one wheel is light. This is exactly the kind of mechanical assurance you appreciate turning off Watkins Road onto gravel or pulling a small trailer up a damp boat ramp. The CX-90 offers standard i-Activ AWD®, augmented by Mi-Drive modes like Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing, and it’s a refined, responsive setup for wet commutes or mild unpaved stretches. Still, the CX-90 doesn’t offer a height-adjustable air suspension or an available rear eLSD—two hardware advantages that help the Grand Cherokee maintain traction and clearance in tougher conditions. For drivers balancing suburban routine with occasional outdoor exploring, that extra engineering translates into easier decisions and fewer turnarounds.
Under the hood, the new 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo steps in as the Grand Cherokee’s gas engine, pairing with a new Gen IV transmission for smooth, quick responses. It’s tuned for confidence on-ramps and strong torque for towing, contributing to an available maximum of up to 6,200 pounds—best-in-class among key rivals. If electrified driving is your preference, Grand Cherokee 4xe blends a turbocharged engine with battery power for quiet low-speed driving and robust off-road control. The Mazda CX-90 counters with an e-SKYACTIV®-G 3.3L Inline 6 Turbo in two tunes, plus an available PHEV with around-town electric range. It’s a polished lineup that suits highway cruising. Yet the Jeep’s powertrain story is about breadth—gas or 4xe PHEV, multiple 4×4 systems, and trail-proven calibrations—so the performance remains cohesive whether you’re threading through downtown traffic or rolling out to fishing spots along the Licking River. When you need to combine family comfort with real towing headroom and purposeful traction management, the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee stands out for its balance of muscle, manners, and modular capability.
Confidence is as much about prevention as it is about protection. The Grand Cherokee offers the most standard and available technology features in its class, highlighted by available Hands-Free Active Driving Assist that allows hands-off, eyes-on driving on approved roadways while monitoring driver attentiveness. Available Night Vision uses infrared sensors to help detect pedestrians and animals up to 328 feet ahead, and available Drowsy Driver Detection and the 360º Surround View Camera further broaden situational awareness. Core driver-assist features such as Active Lane Management, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, and Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning with Pedestrian/Cyclist Detection are designed to support everyday commuting. The Mazda CX-90’s i-Activsense® suite is well-regarded too, with features like Smart Brake Support and Blind Spot Monitoring, and recent models have earned strong safety accolades. Still, if you’re comparing advanced assists head-to-head, the Grand Cherokee’s combination of available hands-free driving, available thermal-imaging Night Vision, and its expansive array of standard and available systems provides a deep bench of tech for rush-hour merges or late-night drives home after a game. It’s a key separator in the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2026 Mazda CX-90 conversation and one we’re proud to demonstrate at Valley Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Columbus.
If you value a single SUV that can do school drop-off, handle rougher routes, and bring premium tech to every drive in Pataskala, OH, our team at Valley Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Columbus recommends the Grand Cherokee as the stronger all-around choice.
Both SUVs bring plenty to the table, but the Jeep® formula connects directly with life here—clear capability, composed ride quality, and technology that takes real work off your plate. The Grand Cherokee’s available hands-free driving, available Night Vision, adjustable air suspension, three distinct 4×4 systems, and best-in-class available towing come together in a way the CX-90 can’t fully match. For families who split time between errands in Pataskala, OH and plans that branch out to trails, lakes, and long weekends, that depth matters. At Valley Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Columbus, we’re here to help you explore trims and options—from two-row Grand Cherokee to three-row Grand Cherokee L—so you can tailor your SUV to the people and places you care about. When you’re ready to see how these features feel on the road, schedule a drive, bring your questions, and let us show you how the Grand Cherokee’s thoughtful engineering simplifies everyday driving and unlocks memorable journeys—making the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2026 Mazda CX-90 comparison an easy call.
