Compare the2022 Jeep CherokeeVS 2021 Lexus NX Series

The Jeep Cherokee has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The NX Series doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Compared to metal, the Cherokee’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Lexus NX Series has a metal gas tank.

Both the Cherokee and the NX Series have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 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 Lexus NX Series:

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 flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Jeep Cherokee is safer than the Lexus NX Series:

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

Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance (up to 3 oil changes) on the Cherokee for 2 years and -10,000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the NX Series (3/unlimited vs. 1/10,000).

There are almost 10 times as many Jeep dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Cherokee’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Cherokee has a standard 700-amp battery. The NX Series’ 580-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

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

The Cherokee’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 76 more horsepower (270 vs. 194) and 96 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 199) than the NX 300h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Cherokee’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 35 more horsepower (270 vs. 235) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the NX 300’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Cherokee’s standard 3.2 DOHC V6 produces 36 more horsepower (271 vs. 235) than the NX 300’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Jeep Cherokee turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Lexus NX Series:

On the EPA test cycle the Cherokee gets better mileage than the NX Series:

Regardless of its engine, the Cherokee’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Lexus only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the NX Series 300h.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Jeep Cherokee uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The NX 300 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Cherokee has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the NX Series Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (15.9 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Cherokee has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The NX Series doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Jeep Cherokee, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the NX Series.

The Cherokee stops much shorter than the NX Series:

For better traction, the Cherokee 4x4 X/Trailhawk’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the NX Series (245/65R17 vs. 235/55R18).

The Cherokee Limited’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the NX Series F Sport’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Cherokee Limited offers optional 19-inch wheels. The NX Series’ largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Cherokee has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The NX Series doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

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 NX Series; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

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 NX Series doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Cherokee’s wheelbase is 1.8 inches longer than on the NX Series (106.5 inches vs. 104.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Cherokee is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the NX Series.

The Cherokee Limited 4x4 handles at .79 G’s, while the NX 300 F Sport AWD pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Cherokee Latitude LUX 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the NX 300h AWD (27.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Cherokee has a 1.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the NX 300h (7.9 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Cherokee to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Cherokee Trailhawk’s minimum ground clearance is 1.8 inches higher than on the NX 300 (8.7 vs. 6.9 inches).

The Jeep Cherokee may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 250 pounds less than the Lexus NX Series.

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 NX Series doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Cherokee has 31.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the NX Series (103.5 vs. 71.6).

The Cherokee has 1.2 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom and 4.2 inches more rear legroom than the NX Series.

The Cherokee has a much larger cargo volume than the NX Series with its rear seat up (27.6 vs. 17.7 cubic feet).

The Cherokee’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the NX Series’ (2000 vs. 0 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus NX 300h AWD is only 2000 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 NX Series can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Cherokee has a higher standard payload capacity than the NX Series (1000 vs. 895 lbs.).

The Cherokee has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The NX Series doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

The Cherokee’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The NX Series’ power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 NX Series’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Cherokee has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the NX Series. The Cherokee Overland also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the NX Series.

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 NX Series 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 NX Series doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Cherokee is less expensive to operate than the NX Series because it costs $1009 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Cherokee than the NX Series, including $110 less for a water pump, $55 less for a starter, $409 less for fuel injection, $357 less for a timing belt/chain and $125 less for a power steering pump.

The Jeep Cherokee outsold the Lexus NX Series by 66% during the 2021 model year.