2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2026 Mazda CX-90: Family SUV Capability in Alberta
Alberta families cross-shopping two-row SUVs are usually juggling the same list: a trailer or camper to tow, weekend gravel roads, and a daily commute that doesn't care about the weather. The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the 2026 Mazda CX-90 both promise to handle it, but they're built around different priorities.
One leans into towing muscle and 4x4 hardware. The other leans into cabin comfort and hybrid efficiency. Here's how the two actually compare on the specs that matter for a family that tows, hauls gear, and drives through an Alberta winter.
| Spec | 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 2026 Mazda CX-90 |
|---|---|---|
| Max towing | 6,200 lbs (2,812 kg) (Hurricane 4 Turbo) | 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) (MHEV GT-L) |
| Ground clearance | 214 mm | 204 mm (19-inch wheels) |
| Approach angle | 20.5° | 19.1° (21-inch wheels) |
| Departure angle | 26.6° | 20.8° (21-inch wheels) |
| Breakover angle | 19.1° | 16.2° (21-inch wheels) |
| Top-trim audio | 19-speaker McIntosh (Summit) | 12-speaker (GT) |
| Top-trim horsepower | 324 hp (Hurricane 4 Turbo) | 340 hp (MHEV GT-P) |
| Cargo behind second row | 1,067.5 L | 1,133 L |
| Combined fuel economy | 10.4-10.9 L/100 km | 9.4-9.5 L/100 km (MHEV) |
| Seating capacity | 5 (two-row) | 8 (three-row, GS) |
Power, Towing and What Each Engine Is Built For
The Grand Cherokee's new 2.0-litre Hurricane 4 Turbo makes 324 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, and it's rated to tow 6,200 lbs (2,812 kg), the strongest number on this page. It also delivers an estimated 851 km of range on a single 87-litre tank, which matters when a trailer route runs past the next fuel stop.
The base 3.6-litre V-6 makes 293 hp and 257 lb-ft for buyers who don't need turbocharged output, and the 4xe plug-in hybrid Trailhawk brings 470 lb-ft of torque, more standard torque than any Grand Cherokee before it.
Mazda's CX-90 counters with a 3.3-litre turbocharged six in the MHEV lineup, ranging from 280 hp and 332 lb-ft in the GS to 340 hp and 369 lb-ft in the GT-P, along with a 2.5-litre PHEV that runs about 42 km on electric power alone. On paper, the GT-P's output numbers actually edge past the Hurricane 4 Turbo.
But horsepower isn't what pulls a boat up a ramp. The Grand Cherokee's load-leveling rear suspension, 3.45:1 axle ratio, and electronically shifted transfer case translate that power into the highest tow rating in this comparison, while the CX-90's best MHEV trim tops out at 5,000 lbs and the PHEV drops to 3,500 lbs.
The CX-90 MHEV GS also posts a lower combined fuel economy rating, at 9.4 L/100 km against the Grand Cherokee's 10.4-10.9 L/100 km. That's a real advantage for daily commuting. For a family that also tows on weekends, though, the Grand Cherokee's tank range and trailer capacity carry more weight than a few litres saved per 100 km.
Off-Road Confidence: Clearance, Angles and 4x4 Systems
Geometry decides what an SUV can climb over, not just drive on. The Grand Cherokee's 214 mm of ground clearance, 20.5° approach angle, 19.1° breakover angle, and 26.6° departure angle all beat the CX-90's figures, and the Summit trim's air suspension pushes approach angle further still to 28.2°.
The CX-90 uses a double-wishbone front and multilink rear suspension tuned for comfort, with a 204-206 mm clearance range and softer angles across the board, 18.8-19.1° approach, 15.9-16.2° breakover, and 20.6-20.8° departure depending on wheel size.
The Grand Cherokee backs its geometry with the Jeep brand's Selec-Terrain 4x4 system, now standard from the Laredo Altitude trim up, and the Summit's Quadra-Trac II 4x4 system paired with air suspension and an integrated off-road camera. That's hardware built for gravel, mud, and steep driveways, not just pavement.
Interior, Seating and Everyday Tech
The CX-90 GS seats up to 8 across three rows, with Nappa leather available on the GT and Signature and in-car Alexa voice control for climate and seat functions. Families who need a third row for carpools or extended family trips get that flexibility standard.
The Grand Cherokee's two-row lineup seats 5, but the Grand Cherokee L returns with the same simplified trim strategy for buyers who want three rows, adding third-row USB chargers and an optional 60/40 second-row bench. The Grand Cherokee's cabin also leads on audio: the Summit's 19-speaker McIntosh system outclasses the CX-90 GT's 12-speaker setup, and the Laredo Altitude gets a standard 12.3-inch infotainment display with premium audio.
On cargo, the CX-90 holds a modest edge behind the second row, 1,133 L versus the Grand Cherokee's 1,067.5 L. But the Grand Cherokee counters with class-exclusive front-passenger and rear-facing Fam Cam displays on three-row models, plus available Night Vision and a 360-degree camera on Limited and Summit, tech aimed squarely at towing and hauling confidence rather than cabin trim.
Why the Grand Cherokee Is the Right Choice
A family that tows a camper, hauls a boat, or takes weekend trips down gravel roads gets more from the Grand Cherokee's 6,200 lb (2,812 kg) tow rating, sharper approach and departure angles, and Selec-Terrain 4x4 hardware.
A daily commute in mixed Alberta weather, plus the simplicity of Laredo, Limited, or Summit trims sharpening value across the lineup, still favours the Grand Cherokee: the same 4x4 system and towing capability apply whether the weekend involves a trailer or just an icy commute.
For drivers who need real trailer capacity, obstacle clearance, and a 4x4 system engineered for it, the Grand Cherokee is the SUV that keeps working after the pavement ends, making it the clear pick for Alberta families who tow, haul, and drive through winter.
Book a Look at the 2026 Grand Cherokee
The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee pairs the new Hurricane 4 Turbo engine with a 6,200 lb (2,812 kg) tow rating, Selec-Terrain 4x4 management, and a simplified Laredo, Limited, and Summit trim lineup built for real towing and off-road use.
Visit Capital Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Edmonton to see the 2026 Grand Cherokee's towing setup and 4x4 hardware in person and find the trim that matches how your family actually drives.
