Compare the2023 Jeep CherokeeVS 2023 Lexus RX

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Cherokee has standard Parksense with Rear Stop that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The RX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

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, 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.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, rear impact and roof-crush tests, with its optional front crash prevention system, its “Good” rating in the new passenger-side small overlap crash test, and its available headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Cherokee the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2019, a rating granted to only 195 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The RX has not been tested, yet.

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.

On the EPA test cycle the Cherokee 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder gets better fuel mileage than the RX 350 AWD (21 city/29 hwy vs. 21 city/28 hwy).

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 350 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.

For better traction, the Cherokee Trailhawk 4x4’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RX (245/65R17 vs. 235/60R19).

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’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.

For greater off-road capability the Cherokee Trailhawk has a greater minimum ground clearance than the RX 350h (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 300 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 design of the Jeep Cherokee amounts to more than styling. The Cherokee has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .339 Cd. That is lower than the RX (.35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Cherokee get better fuel mileage.

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 larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RX with its rear seat folded (54.7 vs. 46.2 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.

The Cherokee has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The RX doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Cherokee has a standard rear wiper. The RX doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

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.