2019 Subaru Ascent vs 2019 Jeep Cherokee

CarGurus experts rate the 2019 Subaru Ascent as 8 out of 10 and the 2019 Jeep Cherokee as 9 out of 10.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent is a full and honest effort featuring big, bold styling, plenty of cargo and passenger space, and the latest infotainment and driver-assistance technologies. It has an upright design with a commanding presence, pronounced fenders, and an imposing grille. The Ascent has a wheelbase of 113.8 inches, making it the largest Subaru passenger vehicle ever built. The cabin boasts plenty of space for occupants, with the option of either a 7-passenger layout with second-row captain’s chairs or an 8-passenger layout with a second-row bench. Trims for the Ascent are Base, Premium, Limited, and Touring.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee has undergone a significant design overhaul. The new front-end design is far more conventional, and the rear hatch has a more modern look. The dash and cabin area remain highly functional, with plenty of storage solutions within the driver's reach. However, the available cargo space is subpar for the compact crossover class, with just 25 cubic feet of cargo space and 54 when the rear seat is dropped. Trims for the Cherokee are Latitude, Latitude Plus, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, and Trailhawk Elite.

CarGurus experts rate the 2019 Subaru Ascent 7 out of 10 and the 2019 Jeep Cherokee 8 out of 10.

The Ascent features a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder boxer engine making 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru’s standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. It offers precise steering, minimal body roll, and up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity. The fuel economy for the Ascent is 21 mpg city, 27 highway, 23 combined.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee offers a base 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, a 3.2-liter V6, and a new-for-2019 turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. The Cherokee's off-road capabilities are commendable, and it can tow up to 4,500 pounds with the V6 engine. The most efficient variant of the 2019 Cherokee will feature the new turbo engine with FWD, returning fuel economy of 23 miles per gallon city, 31 highway, 26 combined.

CarGurus experts rate the 2019 Subaru Ascent 8 out of 10 and the 2019 Jeep Cherokee 6 out of 10.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent offers ample space for occupants in the first and second rows, with a tight third row suitable for children. It also boasts an impressive 47 cubic feet of cargo space, which grows to 86 cubic feet when all rear seats are dropped.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee features a highly functional control layout and plenty of storage solutions within the driver's reach. However, its available cargo space is subpar for the compact crossover class, with just 25 cubic feet of cargo space and 54 when the rear seat is dropped.

CarGurus experts rate the 2019 Subaru Ascent 8 out of 10 and the 2019 Jeep Cherokee 9 out of 10.

The Ascent comes standard with the latest version of Subaru’s StarLink infotainment system, with easy-to-follow menus and redundant physical buttons for major features. The 2019 Jeep Cherokee features the latest version of Uconnect, which has been updated with crisper, sharper graphics, improved responsiveness, and pinch-to-zoom on the available navigation system.

CarGurus experts rate the 2019 Subaru Ascent 9 out of 10 and the 2019 Jeep Cherokee 8 out of 10.

The 2019 Subaru Ascent comes standard with a full array of front- and side-impact airbags, vehicle dynamics control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and EyeSight driver-assist technology. The 2019 Jeep Cherokee comes standard with a full array of front and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, electronic stability control, and electronic roll mitigation. Additional safety and driver-assistance features are available on higher trims.