Compare the2026 Honda CR-VVS 2026 Jeep Cherokee

The Honda CR-V has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help 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 Cherokee doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Honda CR-V achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Jeep Cherokee has not been tested.

Both the CR-V and the Cherokee have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda above average in initial quality. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda above average in long-term dependability. With 1 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’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda fourth in overall reliability. Jeep is ranked 19th.

The CR-V Hybrid’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 17 lbs.-ft. more torque (247 vs. 230) than the Cherokee’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Honda CR-V is faster than the Jeep Cherokee:

The CR-V stops shorter than the Cherokee:

For better traction, the CR-V has larger tires than the Cherokee (235/60R18 vs. 225/65R17).

The CR-V EX-L AWD handles at .84 G’s, while the Cherokee Overland pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CR-V EX-L AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the Cherokee Overland (27.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28.9 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CR-V Hybrid’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the Cherokee’s (37 feet vs. 40.3 feet). The CR-V 1.5T’s turning circle is 3 feet tighter than the Cherokee’s (37.3 feet vs. 40.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CR-V has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Cherokee (8.2 vs. 8 inches), allowing the CR-V to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Honda CR-V may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 800 pounds less than the Jeep Cherokee.

The CR-V is 3.3 inches shorter than the Cherokee, making the CR-V easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The CR-V has 2.8 inches more front legroom, .5 inches more front hip room and .3 inches more front shoulder room than the Cherokee.

The CR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Cherokee with its rear seat up (39.3 vs. 33.6 cubic feet). The CR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Cherokee with its rear seat folded (76.5 vs. 68.3 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CR-V easier. The CR-V’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28 inches, while the Cherokee’s liftover is 31.2 inches.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the CR-V. The Cherokee doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Honda service is better than Jeep. J.D. Power ranks Honda 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 19% lower rating, Jeep is ranked 21st.

The CR-V EX-L/Sport-L/Sport Touring’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Cherokee’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

On a hot day the CR-V’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance with the keyless remote or at the outside door handle. The driver of the Cherokee can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Honda CR-V has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Cherokee Limited/Overland offers wireless charging.

The CR-V 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 Honda CR-V, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The CR-V was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “5Best Trucks/10Best” for 2025 and 5 more times in the last 25 years. The Cherokee has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

Motor Trend selected the CR-V as their 2018 Sport Utility of the Year. The Cherokee has never been chosen.