
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.
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Quick Specs | |||||
The 2016 Jeep Cherokee offers everything that the brand and nameplate promise—although there are some disconnects in the styling and packaging. |
The 2016 Ford Escape gives up a little comfort and utility in its quest to be the most exciting crossover SUV to drive. |
The 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe is geared toward big families with a strong V-6 and loads of features, but third-row seat space is slim, and safety scores are absent. |
The 2016 Toyota RAV4 is a competent crossover utility with a new Hybrid model this year, updated safety systems, and lots of interior space. |
The 2015 Honda CR-V is neither sporty nor particularly quick, but fuel efficiency is excellent and it prioritizes interior space, earnest practicality, and cleverly chosen features in a way that buyers appear to crave. |
The 2015 Subaru Forester remains one of the best cars you can buy, thanks to exceptional safety, versatility, and all-weather capability. |
MSRP From | |||||
$23,495 | $23,590 | $24,950 | $24,350 | $23,445 | $22,195 |
Gas Mileage | |||||
19 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy | 18 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy | 26 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy |
Engine | |||||
Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded H-4 |
EPA Class | |||||
Small Sport Utility Vehicles 2WD | Small SUV 2WD | Small SUV 2WD | Small SUV 2WD | Small SUV 2WD | Small SUV 4WD |
Style Name | |||||
FWD 4-Door Sport | FWD 4-Door S | FWD 4-Door 2.4 | FWD 4-Door LE (SE) | 2WD 5-Door LX | 4-Door Manual 2.5i PZEV |
Drivetrain | |||||
Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
Passenger Capacity | |||||
5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Passenger Doors | |||||
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Body Style | |||||
Sport Utility | Sport Utility | Sport Utility | Sport Utility | Sport Utility | Sport Utility |
Transmission | |||||
Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | CVT w/OD | Manual w/OD |
Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
2016 Jeep Cherokee vs. 2016 Ford Escape | 2016 Jeep Cherokee vs. 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe | 2016 Jeep Cherokee vs. 2016 Toyota RAV4 | 2016 Jeep Cherokee vs. 2015 Honda CR-V | 2016 Jeep Cherokee vs. 2015 Subaru Forester |