2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2026 Mazda CX-90 Which Midsize SUV Delivers More Power and Capability
Two SUVs. Different strengths. The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee arrives with a new Hurricane 4 Turbo engine, a towing ceiling no competitor in its class can match, and a genuine 4WD drivetrain built for terrain well beyond the pavement. The 2026 Mazda CX-90 offers a different value: an eight-passenger cabin and a mild-hybrid powertrain tuned for efficiency. For buyers in Manitoba deciding between them, the real numbers tell the story.
2026 Grand Cherokee vs. 2026 CX-90: Side-by-Side
| Category | Jeep Grand Cherokee | Mazda CX-90 |
|---|---|---|
| Max Towing | 6,200 lbs (2,812 kg) | 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) MHEV / 3,500 lbs (1,588 kg) PHEV |
| Drivetrain | 4WD with optional 2-speed transfer case | AWD |
| Approach Angle | 20.5° standard / 28.2° with air suspension | 18.8°--19.1° |
| Ground Clearance | 214 mm standard / 320 mm with air suspension | 204--206 mm |
| Hurricane 4 Turbo | 324 hp / 332 lb-ft on regular 87-octane | N/A |
| PHEV System Torque | 470 lb-ft (Trailhawk 4xe) | 369 lb-ft |
| Top Audio System | 19-speaker McIntosh (Summit) | 12-speaker Bose (GT) |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 8 (GS standard) |
| Combined Fuel Economy | 10.4 L/100km (Hurricane) | 9.4 L/100km (MHEV GS) |
Power and Towing: The Hurricane Changes the Calculation
The towing gap is the first thing Manitoba buyers hauling a boat, trailer, or camper should examine. At 6,200 lbs (2,812 kg) maximum, the Grand Cherokee pulls 1,200 lbs more than the CX-90 MHEV at its best, 5,000 lbs with Mazda Genuine Towing Accessories on the GT-L, and outpulls the CX-90 PHEV by 2,700 lbs. That margin matters when a full-size camper or horse trailer is involved.
The new 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo, standard from the Laredo Altitude trim up, produces 324 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque on regular 87-octane fuel. The CX-90 MHEV GS's 3.3L inline-six produces 280 hp and 332 lb-ft on that same 87-octane, so the Hurricane matches the Mazda's torque output while adding 44 horsepower. On a full 87L tank, the Hurricane delivers an estimated 851 km of driving range.
The CX-90 MHEV GT-P does reach 340 hp and 369 lb-ft, but that output requires 91-octane premium fuel at every fill-up. The Grand Cherokee delivers 324 hp on regular. For day-to-day driving in Manitoba, that distinction has a real cost over time.
For plug-in hybrid buyers, the Grand Cherokee 4xe Trailhawk generates 470 lb-ft of torque, more than the CX-90 PHEV system's 369 lb-ft. The CX-90 PHEV does provide 43 km of electric-only range for short commutes, a genuine advantage for urban driving. The Grand Cherokee 4xe trades some EV range for torque and off-road hardware no CX-90 PHEV trim can match.
Off-Road Capability: 4WD vs. AWD
The CX-90 uses i-Activ AWD across the lineup, a capable system with double wishbone front suspension tuned for handling precision on road and in light off-road conditions. What it does not have is a low-range transfer case.
The Grand Cherokee's optional MP3028C transfer case adds a 2.72:1 low-range ratio: the hardware that separates a trail-capable 4x4 from an all-wheel-drive crossover. The geometry reinforces the gap:
Grand Cherokee approach angle: 20.5° standard; 28.2° with air suspension (Summit)
Grand Cherokee ground clearance: 214 mm standard; 320 mm with air suspension
CX-90 approach angle: 18.8°--19.1°
CX-90 ground clearance: 204--206 mm
The Grand Cherokee Summit's Quadra-Lift air suspension raises clearance to 320 mm and the approach angle to 28.2°. A breakover angle of 19.1° and a departure angle of 26.6° on standard suspension confirm a platform engineered for genuine trail use. The CX-90 cannot replicate those numbers at any trim or price point.
Interior, Seating, and Technology
The CX-90 seats eight in its base GS configuration, arranged in a 2-3-3 layout. The two-row Grand Cherokee accommodates five. For buyers who need more rows, the Grand Cherokee L brings three-row seating to the Jeep lineup. For buyers who don't need the extra row, the Grand Cherokee's cabin delivers on technology and comfort.
The Laredo Altitude includes a 12.3-inch infotainment display, a larger screen than the CX-90 GS's 10.25-inch unit. The Limited adds a nine-speaker Alpine audio system with ambient interior lighting. The Summit steps up to a 19-speaker McIntosh system, compared with the CX-90 GT's 12-speaker Bose setup. Across the lineup, available Grand Cherokee technology includes an optional FamCAM rear-seat camera and a class-exclusive front-passenger infotainment display on three-row Grand Cherokee L models, features the CX-90 does not offer.
On cargo, the Grand Cherokee carries 1,067.5 L behind the second row. The CX-90 PHEV holds 1,133 L behind its second row with the third row folded, but only 423 L when all eight seats are occupied. A family using all eight CX-90 seats gives up most of their load space to do so.
The CX-90 MHEV GS does return 9.4 L/100km combined versus the Hurricane's 10.4 L/100km, a real efficiency edge in everyday driving. The Grand Cherokee's 87L tank and 851 km estimated range per fill-up reduce how often you stop, narrowing the practical gap on longer Manitoba drives.
Which One Is Right for You?
The Grand Cherokee is the answer for buyers who tow regularly, spend time on gravel or trails, or want a drivetrain built to handle Manitoba winters without compromise. A 6,200 lb (2,812 kg) tow ceiling, an optional two-speed transfer case with 2.72:1 low range, and up to 320 mm of ground clearance form a capability package the CX-90 cannot match.
The CX-90's eight-seat standard layout gives it a raw passenger count advantage, and its combined fuel economy is genuinely better. But towing, trail capability, and 4WD hardware matter to most buyers in this province, and on every one of those dimensions, the Grand Cherokee wins by a wide margin.
The 2026 Grand Cherokee: Built for Manitoba Roads and Beyond
The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee brings a 324 hp Hurricane 4 Turbo, a class-leading 6,200 lb (2,812 kg) tow rating, and an available air suspension delivering 320 mm of ground clearance, a combination built for real driving across any season or terrain.
Visit Eastern Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Winnipeg to explore the Grand Cherokee lineup, compare trims in person, and book a test drive in the configuration that fits your needs.
