Compare the2023 Jeep CherokeeVS 2022 Lexus RX

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Cherokee. But it costs extra on the RX.

Both the Cherokee and the RX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger 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 and rear cross-path warning.

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 RX:

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 RX:

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 unlimited miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the RX (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.

The Cherokee Trailhawk’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 295 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. ) than the RX 450h’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Cherokee Trailhawk 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the RX 450h 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid:

On the EPA test cycle the Cherokee gets better mileage than the RX:

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 RX 450h, and doesn’t offer a disable button.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Jeep Cherokee uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended on Cherokee Trailhawk for maximum performance). The RX 450h requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

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 RX 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 an eight-speed automatic is available for the RX.

The Cherokee stops shorter than the RX:

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

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 RX doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Cherokee 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 RX; 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 RX doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Cherokee Altitude LUX handles at .80 G’s, while the RX 450h pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Cherokee Altitude LUX executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the RX 450h (27.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 27.5 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Cherokee’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the RX’s (37.7 feet vs. 38.8 feet). The Cherokee Trailhawk’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the RX’s (38.1 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

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

The Jeep Cherokee may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 500 pounds less than the Lexus RX.

The Cherokee is 9.6 inches shorter than the RX, 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 RX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Cherokee uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The RX doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Cherokee has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the RX with its rear seat up (27.6 vs. 16 cubic feet). The Cherokee has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RX with its rear seat folded (54.7 vs. 32.6 cubic feet).

The Cherokee’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RX’s (2000 vs. 0 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus RX is only 3500 pounds. The Cherokee offers up to a 4000 lbs. towing capacity.

A Trailer Sway Control is standard on the Cherokee, using 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. A trailer sway program costs extra on the RX.

The Cherokee has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the RX.

The Cherokee’s 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 RX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Cherokee is less expensive to operate than the RX because it costs $473 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Cherokee than the RX, including $732 less for a water pump, $1 less for front brake pads, $220 less for a starter, $129 less for fuel injection, $1060 less for a timing belt/chain and $1785 less for a power steering pump.