Jeep Cherokee vs Lexus RX

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's styling had evolved since its debut, becoming more palatable over time. Initially, the short grille opening and swept-back headlights were points of contention, but after seven years, the Cherokee's proportions seemed more balanced. The exterior appearance varied significantly depending on the trim level. An entry-level Latitude with 17-inch wheels and FWD looked quite basic, while an 80th Anniversary Edition with 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding appeared much more refined. The Cherokee also featured an optional panoramic sunroof, enhancing its visual appeal and functionality.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus RX offered a modern and sporty design, especially after its 2020 facelift. Available in base 350, F Sport, and L trim levels, the RX stood out with its aggressive styling among competitors like the Audi Q5 and BMW X5. The character lines were razor-sharp, and the angular features, particularly in the front and rear, were eye-catching without being excessive. The F Sport trim added a performance-oriented look with 20-inch wheels, black-housing outside mirrors, and unique front fascia. The RX's interior matched its exterior's luxury appeal, with nearly a dozen color combinations and high-quality materials, although the center stack felt a bit dated.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine options. The base 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine produced 180 horsepower, while the 3.2-liter V-6 significantly improved output to 271 hp. The top-tier 2.0-liter GMET4 turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivered 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Despite these options, none provided outstanding acceleration, with the V6 and turbo-four achieving 0-60 mph in about 7.2 and 7.4 seconds, respectively. All models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, which had proven to be reliable and fuel-efficient. The Cherokee's off-road capabilities were notable, especially in the Trailhawk model, which included features like Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control. However, the availability of FWD aimed to keep prices competitive, particularly for rental fleets.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 came with a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid RX 450h added two high-torque electric motors for a combined output of 308 hp. All RX models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard on the RX 350 and AWD available. Despite its sporty appearance, the RX's real-world performance was underwhelming. The engine note was more of a hum than a growl, and acceleration felt sluggish. The F Sport trim included performance dampers and an adaptive variable suspension, but the driving experience remained uninspiring. The RX excelled in driving comfort and cabin quietness, making it a good companion for long drives. Fuel efficiency was decent, with the RX 350 returning 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, while the RX 450h hybrid achieved 30 mpg combined.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, making it competitive in its class. However, its cargo space was limited, with 26 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 55 cubic feet with the seats folded. This was less than competitors like the Mazda CX-5 and Ford Escape. The interior layout was simple and businesslike, varying in quality depending on the trim level. The Latitude trim featured basic rubberized black plastic, while the Trailhawk and Latitude Lux offered more upscale materials like suede seat inserts and perforated Nappa leather upholstery.

The 2022 Lexus RX provided 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume in its standard two-row configuration, comfortably seating four adults. The three-row L models offered a tight squeeze for anything but groceries, with only 7.45 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats upright. The RX's cargo space increased to 32.6 cubic feet with the second row folded down in the two-row version and up to 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows down in the three-row version. The interior featured thoughtful built-in elements like a dedicated smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, and a flat-bottomed cargo net. However, the rear seats did not fold completely flat, and the load-in height was high due to the sporty-styled bumper.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system, available with 7-inch and 8.4-inch touchscreens. The system was user-friendly, with easy access to heated seat controls and climate settings. It supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though only via wired connections. Additional features included a 4G WiFi hotspot, Amazon Alexa integration, and remote start. The consistency of the Uconnect system across Stellantis brands was a significant advantage for Cherokee buyers.

The 2022 Lexus RX came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch version available. Despite being moved closer to the driver, the screen's positioning was still ergonomically unfriendly. The touchscreen was responsive, but the touchpad controller was frustrating to use. The RX offered a range of tech features, including six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, and a WiFi hotspot. The Lexus App allowed for remote engine start and vehicle settings customization. However, the drive mode selector's placement next to the touchpad often led to confusion.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee earned top "Good" scores in every IIHS crashworthiness category but did not receive a Top Safety Pick award. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included lane departure warning, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was only available on higher trims.

The 2022 Lexus RX came standard with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, and a pre-collision system. Additional features were blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a head-up display. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS when equipped with optional triple-beam LED headlights. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall safety rating, with five stars in side crash tests.