Compare the2022 Jeep CherokeeVS 2022 Acura RDX

The Cherokee has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The RDX doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Cherokee (except Latitude) offers optional Parksense with Rear Stop that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The RDX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Cherokee and the RDX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, 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 all wheel drive and front parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Jeep Cherokee is safer than the Acura RDX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Jeep Cherokee is safer than the Acura RDX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance on the Cherokee for 3 years and unlimited miles. Jeep will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance (up to 3 oil changes). Acura doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the RDX.

There are almost 9 times as many Jeep dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Cherokee’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Cherokee third among compact suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The RDX isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Jeep vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Jeep 8th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 51 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 26th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Jeep vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Jeep 19th in reliability. With 43 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 28th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Jeep vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Jeep 9 places higher in reliability than Acura.

The Cherokee’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 280) than the RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Jeep Cherokee turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Acura RDX:

For better stopping power the Cherokee’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the RDX:

The Cherokee stops much shorter than the RDX:

The Cherokee X/Trailhawk has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the RDX; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

The Cherokee’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The RDX doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Cherokee Latitude LUX 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the RDX AWD (27.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Cherokee’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the RDX’s (37.6 feet vs. 38.9 feet). The Cherokee 4x4 Trailhawk’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the RDX’s (38.1 feet vs. 38.9 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Cherokee Trailhawk has a greater minimum ground clearance than the RDX (8.7 vs. 8.2 inches), allowing the Cherokee to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Cherokee is 4.5 inches shorter than the RDX, making the Cherokee easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Cherokee (except Trailhawk) uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The RDX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Cherokee has .2 inches more rear headroom and 1.9 inches more rear legroom than the RDX.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Cherokee’s rear seats recline. The RDX’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Cherokee’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RDX’s (2000 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Acura RDX is only 1500 pounds. The Cherokee offers up to a 4500 lbs. towing capacity.

The Cherokee 4WD with optional equipment can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Cherokee can be unhitched and driven around locally. The RDX can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Cherokee uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The RDX doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Cherokee has a higher standard payload capacity than the RDX (1000 vs. 838 lbs.).

The Cherokee’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The RDX’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Cherokee Limited offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The RDX doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Cherokee Latitude Lux/Limited/Trailhawk has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The RDX doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Cherokee’s optional ParkSense Parallel/Perpendicular Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The RDX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Cherokee is less expensive to operate than the RDX because it costs $482 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Cherokee than the RDX, including $188 less for front brake pads, $21 less for a starter, $79 less for fuel injection and $858 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Jeep Cherokee will be $8141 to $10122 less than for the Acura RDX.

The Jeep Cherokee outsold the Acura RDX by almost two to one during the 2021 model year.