Compare the2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportVS 2023 Jeep Cherokee

The Atlas Cross Sport has standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically apply 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.

The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line has a standard Area View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Cherokee only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

Both the Atlas Cross Sport and the Cherokee have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and lane departure warning systems.

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

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 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is safer than the Jeep Cherokee:

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

The Atlas Cross Sport comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck. The Cherokee’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Atlas Cross Sport’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Cherokee’s (7 vs. 5 years).

The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the Cherokee’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

The Atlas Cross Sport’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 55 more horsepower (235 vs. 180) and 87 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 171) than the Cherokee’s standard 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Atlas Cross Sport’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 6 more horsepower (276 vs. 270) than the Cherokee Trailhawk’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Jeep Cherokee 4 cyl.:

The Atlas Cross Sport has 2.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Cherokee (18.6 vs. 15.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Atlas Cross Sport’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Cherokee:

The Atlas Cross Sport’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.

The Atlas Cross Sport stops shorter than the Cherokee:

For better traction, the Atlas Cross Sport has larger standard tires than the Cherokee (245/60R18 vs. 225/60R18). The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Cherokee (265/45R21 vs. 245/65R17).

The Atlas Cross Sport SE’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Cherokee Trailhawk 4x4’s standard 65 series tires. The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Cherokee Altitude LUX’s optional 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Atlas Cross Sport SE has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Cherokee Trailhawk 4x4. The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line’s 21-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels optional on the Cherokee Altitude LUX.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Atlas Cross Sport’s wheelbase is 10.7 inches longer than on the Cherokee (117.3 inches vs. 106.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Atlas Cross Sport is 3.8 inches wider in the front and 4.3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Cherokee.

The Atlas Cross Sport SEL 4Motion handles at .81 G’s, while the Cherokee pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Atlas Cross Sport SEL 4Motion executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Cherokee (27.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28.2 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

The Atlas Cross Sport has 8.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Cherokee (112.1 vs. 103.5).

The Atlas Cross Sport has .6 inches more front legroom, 4.4 inches more front hip room, 3.9 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear legroom, 8.1 inches more rear hip room and 5.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Cherokee.

The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Cherokee with its rear seat up (40.3 vs. 27.6 cubic feet). The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Cherokee with its rear seat folded (77.8 vs. 54.7 cubic feet).

Maximum trailer towing in the Jeep Cherokee is limited to 4000 pounds. The Atlas Cross Sport offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Atlas Cross Sport has a higher standard payload capacity than the Cherokee (1091 vs. 1000 lbs.).

If the windows are left open on the Atlas Cross Sport the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Cherokee can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Atlas Cross Sport has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Cherokee doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Atlas Cross Sport SEL to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Cherokee doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Atlas Cross Sport offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Cherokee doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Atlas Cross Sport to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Cherokee doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Both the Atlas Cross Sport and the Cherokee have standard heated front seats. The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Cherokee.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Cherokee doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

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

Consumer Reports® recommends the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Jeep Cherokee isn't recommended.

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the Jeep Cherokee by over two to one during 2022.