Does the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee tow more confidently than the 2026 Honda Pilot for Catskill, NY families?
Orchard Jeep Hudson - Does the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee tow more confidently than the 2026 Honda Pilot for Catskill, NY families?
For many SUV shoppers, the comparison comes down to one practical question: which vehicle feels more confident when family life includes towing, weekend gear, and changing road conditions? The 2026 Honda Pilot is a capable midsize SUV with seating for up to eight, a 285-horsepower V-6 engine, available i-VTM4® AWD System, and up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity when properly equipped. Those are strong credentials for a family SUV. Still, the 2026 Jeep® Grand Cherokee brings a more capability-focused foundation, and that difference becomes important for shoppers who want an SUV that can tow confidently while also offering premium comfort, advanced available 4x4 systems, and genuine Jeep® Brand engineering.
The Grand Cherokee offers up to 6,200 pounds of Best-in-Class Maximum Towing Capacity with the new 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo engine, which gives it a meaningful advantage over the Pilot. It also produces up to 324 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, providing strong low-end response for merging, climbing grades, and pulling gear. Around Catskill, NY, where a normal week can include village errands, Thruway travel, rural roads, and weekend trips toward river launches or trailheads, that extra muscle helps the Grand Cherokee feel prepared for more than a typical family commute.
How much towing capability does the Grand Cherokee offer compared with the Pilot?
The Jeep® Grand Cherokee is the stronger towing choice based on published capability. With the new 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo engine, it offers up to 6,200 pounds of Best-in-Class Maximum Towing Capacity. The Honda Pilot offers up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity when properly equipped. That difference of more than a thousand pounds can be significant if your plans include a small camper, utility trailer, boat, personal watercraft, or loaded outdoor trailer.
Towing confidence is not only about the maximum number. It is also about the way an SUV manages power, traction, control, and driver awareness. The Grand Cherokee adds depth with available systems such as Quadra-Trac I®, Quadra-Trac II®, and Quadra-Drive® II with a rear electronic limited-slip differential. The Honda Pilot’s available i-VTM4® AWD System is helpful, but the Jeep® lineup gives shoppers more specialized 4x4 choices. That makes the Grand Cherokee especially appealing if your SUV needs to handle a mix of pavement, gravel access roads, uneven parking areas, and steeper driveways.
Why does torque matter for everyday towing?
Torque is the force that helps an SUV get moving with weight behind it. The new 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo engine in the Grand Cherokee delivers up to 332 pound-feet of torque, while the Pilot’s V-6 produces strong, smooth power but does not match the Jeep® SUV’s maximum torque figure. For a driver pulling a trailer away from a stop, climbing a grade, or accelerating onto a faster road, that added torque can make the vehicle feel more composed.
The Grand Cherokee also benefits from a new Gen IV transmission on gas-powered models. This transmission is designed to support responsive acceleration and refined control, helping the powertrain feel confident in everyday driving as well as more demanding situations. For families who tow occasionally rather than every week, that matters. You do not want an SUV that only feels capable on paper. You want one that feels natural and controlled when the trailer is attached and the family is along for the ride.
Capability features that give the Jeep® Grand Cherokee an edge
The Grand Cherokee’s advantage grows when you look beyond the engine and towing rating. Jeep® engineers designed this SUV with traction, clearance, and adaptable driving in mind. The available Selec-Terrain® Traction Management System allows the driver to choose from Auto, Sport, Rock, Snow, or Mud/Sand modes, tailoring the vehicle’s behavior to the surface. The available Quadra-Lift® Air Suspension System can lower the SUV at highway speeds for improved aerodynamics and raise it when more clearance is useful.
- Stronger maximum towing: Up to 6,200 pounds with the new 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo engine compared with up to 5,000 pounds for the Pilot.
- More specialized traction choices: Three available 4x4 systems give Grand Cherokee shoppers more ways to match capability to driving needs.
- Available adaptive ride height: Quadra-Lift® Air Suspension System can help when a route includes uneven surfaces or obstacles.
- Trail Rated® confidence: Select Grand Cherokee models are engineered for traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, articulation, and water fording.
The Pilot TrailSport offers all-terrain tires, skid plates, an off-road tuned suspension, TrailWatch™, and a 7-mode drive system, so it deserves credit as a capable family SUV. However, the Grand Cherokee’s Jeep® Brand capability runs deeper, particularly for shoppers who want available 4x4 hardware and towing strength in the same package. That is why many local shoppers view the Jeep® SUV as the more confidence-inspiring choice.
What about comfort, technology, and family travel?
A towing-ready SUV still needs to be comfortable when no trailer is attached. This is another area where the Grand Cherokee makes a strong case. It offers a new 12.3-inch Uconnect® 5 NAV touchscreen with newly-standard navigation, Apple CarPlay® support, Android Auto™ compatibility, and a trial subscription to SiriusXM®. Available features such as a 10.25-inch Digital Cluster Display, 10-inch Head-Up Display, wireless charging pad, Digital Rearview Mirror, and rear-seat entertainment help create a more premium and connected cabin.
The Grand Cherokee also offers available technology that the Pilot does not, including the Class-Exclusive available Front Passenger Interactive Touchscreen Display and available Interior FamCAM on Grand Cherokee L models. The available McIntosh® Premium Audio System includes 19 custom-designed speakers, a 17-channel amplifier, up to 950 watts of power, and a 10-inch subwoofer. By comparison, the Pilot offers an available Bose premium sound system with 12 speakers. Both cabins are modern, but the Jeep® model feels more upscale and more distinctive.
Is the Honda Pilot still a good SUV?
Yes, the Honda Pilot is a good SUV for many families. It offers generous cargo space, seating for up to eight, a stowable second-row center seat on select trims, wireless Apple CarPlay® compatibility, wireless Android Auto™ compatibility, Google built-in, Honda Sensing®, and available amenities such as a Head-Up Display and panoramic moonroof. For shoppers who value maximum passenger capacity and simple family packaging, it remains a practical option.
The question is not whether the Pilot is useful. The better question is whether it delivers the same combination of towing strength, available 4x4 capability, premium technology, and upscale design as the Grand Cherokee. For many drivers, the answer is no. The Jeep® Grand Cherokee is the more versatile choice when your SUV needs to be refined Monday through Friday and genuinely capable on the weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Which SUV can tow more, the Jeep® Grand Cherokee or Honda Pilot?
The Jeep® Grand Cherokee can tow more. It offers up to 6,200 pounds of Best-in-Class Maximum Towing Capacity with the new 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo engine, while the Honda Pilot offers up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.
Does the Grand Cherokee offer more off-road capability than the Pilot?
Yes. The Grand Cherokee offers three available 4x4 systems, available Selec-Terrain® Traction Management System, available Quadra-Lift® Air Suspension System, and Trail Rated® capability on select models. The Pilot TrailSport has useful rugged features, but the Jeep® model provides a broader capability toolkit.
Which SUV has more advanced available family technology?
The Grand Cherokee offers several standout available features not found on the Pilot, including the Front Passenger Interactive Touchscreen Display, Interior FamCAM on Grand Cherokee L models, Night Vision Camera, and a 19-speaker McIntosh® Premium Audio System.
Final recommendation for local shoppers
If towing confidence is a top priority, the Grand Cherokee is the stronger recommendation. It offers higher maximum towing capacity, stronger maximum horsepower and torque, more available 4x4 systems, and premium features that make daily driving feel more enjoyable. Orchard Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Hudson is proud to help shoppers compare these SUVs with clear information and a focus on real driving needs.
For families coming from Kinderhook, Catskill, and Chatham, the Jeep® Grand Cherokee makes sense because it is not limited to one role. It can serve as a refined commuter, a comfortable family SUV, a capable tow vehicle, and an adventure-ready companion. The Honda Pilot is practical, but the Grand Cherokee feels more complete for drivers who want comfort, confidence, and capability in one premium SUV.