Compare the2024 Lexus RXVS 2023 Jeep Cherokee

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus RX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Jeep Cherokee doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the RX are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Cherokee doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The RX has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies 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 RX Premium/Luxury/500h F Sport offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor 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 RX and Cherokee have rear cross-traffic warning, but the RX offers optional Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Cherokee’s Rear Cross-Path Detection doesn’t automatically brake.

The RX’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Cherokee doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the RX and the Cherokee have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 and available all wheel drive.

The Lexus RX achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Cherokee has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Warranty

The RX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Cherokee’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Jeep covers the Cherokee. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Cherokee ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The RX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Cherokee’s (6 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Lexus RX’s reliability 15 points higher than the Cherokee and the Lexus RX Hybrid is rated 16 points higher than the Cherokee.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Jeep is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in overall reliability. Jeep is ranked 26th.

Engine

The RX has more powerful engines than the Cherokee:

	Horsepower	Torque
RX 350h 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid	246 HP	233 lbs.-ft.
RX 350 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder	275 HP	317 lbs.-ft.
RX 450h+ 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid	304 HP
RX 500h F Sport Performance 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	366 HP	406 lbs.-ft.
Cherokee 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder	180 HP	171 lbs.-ft.
Cherokee Trailhawk 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	270 HP	295 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the RX 350h 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Jeep Cherokee:

	RX	Cherokee 4 cyl.	Cherokee Trailhawk
Zero to 60 MPH	7.4 sec	9.5 sec	7.5 sec
Quarter Mile	15.7 sec	17.2 sec	15.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	89.2 MPH	80.5 MPH	87.1 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the RX running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Cherokee:

			MPG
RX
	FWD	350 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/29 hwy
	AWD	350h 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	37 city/34 hwy
		500h 2.4 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	27 city/28 hwy
		350 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/28 hwy
Cherokee
	AWD	2.4 DOHC 4-cyl.	21 city/29 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/26 hwy

The RX 450h+ can travel with zero emissions for 37 miles. The Cherokee can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the RX 350h/500h/450+’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Cherokee doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The RX 350’s standard fuel tank has 2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Cherokee (17.8 vs. 15.8 gallons).

The RX has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Cherokee. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus RX higher (7 out of 10) than the Jeep Cherokee (5 to 6). This means the RX produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Cherokee every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The RX offers an available continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Cherokee doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	RX	RX F Sport	Cherokee
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	15.7 inches	13 inches
Rear Rotors	13.4 inches	13.4 inches	10.95 inches
Opt Rear Rotors			12.6 inches

The RX’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 RX stops shorter than the Cherokee:

	RX	Cherokee
60 to 0 MPH	132 feet	138 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	145 feet	153 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the RX has larger tires than the Cherokee (235/60R19 vs. 225/60R18).

The RX’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 RX’s optional tires have a lower 50 series profile than the Cherokee Altitude LUX’s optional 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Cherokee Trailhawk 4x4. The RX’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels optional on the Cherokee Altitude LUX.

Suspension and Handling

The RX F Sport’s has front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Cherokee’s suspension doesn’t offer front gas-charged shocks.

The RX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Cherokee’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RX’s wheelbase is 5.6 inches longer than on the Cherokee (112.2 inches vs. 106.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RX is 2 inches wider in the front and 3.2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Cherokee.

The RX 450h+ handles at .81 G’s, while the Cherokee pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The RX 450h+ executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the Cherokee (26.8 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.2 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the RX 500h F Sport Performance’s turning circle is 2.7 feet tighter than the Cherokee Trailhawk’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

For greater off-road capability the RX 350 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Cherokee (8.1 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the RX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The RX has .1 inches more front headroom, 2.9 inches more front hip room, .5 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom, 6.1 inches more rear hip room and 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Cherokee.

Cargo Capacity

The RX has a much larger cargo volume than the Cherokee with its rear seat up (29.6 vs. 27.6 cubic feet).

The RX’s cargo area is larger than the Cherokee’s in every dimension:

	RX	Cherokee
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	40”/76.2”	33.9”/67.6”
Max Width	55.5”	49.2”
Min Width	42”	39.4”
Height	30”	28.8”

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the RX’s optional rear seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Cherokee doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Jeep. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 63% lower rating, Jeep is ranked 26th.

Ergonomics

The RX’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Cherokee does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The RX offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Cherokee doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

If the windows are left open on the RX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Lexus service department.) The driver of the Cherokee can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The RX’s standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Enter-N-Go standard on the Cherokee doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RX Luxury/500h F Sport offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Cherokee doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the RX Luxury/500h F Sport offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Cherokee doesn’t offer cornering lights. The RX Luxury/500h F Sport also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The RX’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Cherokee has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the RX and the Cherokee have standard heated front seats. The RX also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Cherokee.

The RX Premium/Luxury/F Sport has standard front air conditioned seats and the RX offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Cherokee doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

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

The RX Premium+/Luxury/F Sport’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Advanced Park will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Cherokee’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park and it doesn’t offer remote control parking.

Model Availability

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

Economic Advantages

The RX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the RX will retain 58.33% to 60.37% of its original price after five years, while the Cherokee only retains 57.72% to 58.23%.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus RX, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Jeep Cherokee isn't recommended.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the RX first among midsize premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Cherokee isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Lexus RX outsold the Jeep Cherokee by almost five to one during 2023.

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