2016 Jeep Cherokee vs. Its Competition

Bengt Halvorson Senior Editor

The 2016 Jeep Cherokee lands right in the heart of the compact crossover segment, occupied by strong-sellers like the Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forester, Honda CR-V, and Hyundai Santa Fe.

Yet because it's on the spacious side of that group—and very distinctive in design and styling—the Cherokee has some definite advantages.

The Subaru Forester is a sort of counter to all that the Cherokee stands for; it's roomy and comfortable yet surprisingly able on the trail, eschewing all the optional off-road packages for a single X-mode button intended for the tough stuff; it's a good pick for those who have to trudge through the snow.

The Honda CR-V is the one that's the best pick for pragmatists; it has great utility and space, and fits the bill for those who don't want a minivan.

The Ford Escape goes sporty in many respects, with a cabin design that sacrifices some space, as well as zippy handling and an all-4-cylinder engine cast.

Also, the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is refined and economical and has seating for five.

And while we think the new RAV4 got a smarter layout and a fresher look, it doesn't drive better than the outgoing version, and its appeal seems more limited—although there's a hybrid version on the way this year.