Compare the2026 Toyota Rav4 VS 2026 Jeep Cherokee

The Rav4 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Cherokee doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Rav4 and the Cherokee have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Rav4 for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Jeep doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Cherokee.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 113 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is ranked 33rd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Jeep is ranked 24th.

The Rav4’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 16 more horsepower (226 vs. 210) than the Cherokee’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Rav4’s optional 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 26 more horsepower (236 vs. 210) than the Cherokee’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Rav4’s optional 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 114 more horsepower (324 vs. 210) than the Cherokee’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Rav4 is faster than the Jeep Cherokee:

	Rav4	Rav4	Cherokee
Zero to 60 MPH	7 sec	5 sec	9.4 sec
Quarter Mile	15.4 sec	13.7 sec	17.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91 MPH	100.7 MPH	80.8 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the Rav4 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Cherokee:

			MPG
Rav4
	FWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	47 city/40 hwy
	AWD	LE/SE 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	46 city/39 hwy
		XLE 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	45 city/38 hwy
		XSE/Limited 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	43 city/37 hwy
		SE/XSE 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	43 city/36 hwy
		Woodland 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	41 city/35 hwy
		Woodland 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	41 city/34 hwy
Cherokee
	AWD	1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	39 city/35 hwy

The Rav4 can travel with zero emissions for 49 to 54 miles (dependent on model). The Cherokee can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Cherokee are solid, not vented.

The Rav4 stops much shorter than the Cherokee:

	Rav4	Cherokee
60 to 0 MPH	110 feet	122 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the Rav4 has larger tires than the Cherokee (235/65R17 vs. 225/65R17).

The Rav4’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (54% to 46%) than the Cherokee’s (58.6% to 41.4%). This gives the Rav4 more stable handling and braking.

The Rav4 GR Sport handles at .83 G’s, while the Cherokee Overland pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Rav4 GR Sport executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.7 seconds quicker than the Cherokee Overland (26.2 seconds @ .71 average G’s vs. 28.9 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Rav4’s turning circle is 3.4 feet tighter than the Cherokee’s (36.9 feet vs. 40.3 feet). The Rav4 GR Sport’s turning circle is 3 feet tighter than the Cherokee’s (37.3 feet vs. 40.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Rav4 Woodland has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Cherokee (8.5 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Rav4 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Toyota Rav4 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 650 pounds less than the Jeep Cherokee.

The Rav4 is 7.1 inches shorter than the Cherokee, making the Rav4 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Rav4 has 2.5 inches more front legroom and .2 inches more front hip room than the Cherokee.

The Rav4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Cherokee with its rear seat up (37.8 vs. 33.6 cubic feet). The Rav4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Cherokee with its rear seat folded (70.4 vs. 68.3 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Rav4. The Cherokee doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Rav4 Limited/XSE Plug-In Hybrid offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Cherokee doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Rav4’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Cherokee’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the Rav4 the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Cherokee can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Toyota Rav4 stands out above the Jeep Cherokee by offering not one, but two Qi-compatible phone chargers. This convenience helps travelers with multiple devices to keep powered up on-the-go. Wireless charging eliminates lost or cluttered charging cables and two of them provide more flexibility.

The Rav4 (except LE/SE/XLE)’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Cherokee Overland’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The Rav4 is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Cherokee doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Rav4, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Rav4 first among compact suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Cherokee isn’t in the top three.