Compare the2026 Toyota Rav4VS 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.

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 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. Jeep is ranked 19th.

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.

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

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid SE/XSE can travel with zero emissions for 52 miles. 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.

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

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 about 400 to 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 and navigation instruction 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.

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 one of them provide more flexibility.

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