Jeep Cherokee vs Subaru Ascent

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's styling had evolved since its debut, and opinions on its design had mellowed over time. While the short grille opening and swept-back headlights were initially polarizing, they became more accepted after seven years. The Cherokee's appearance varied significantly depending on the trim level. The entry-level Latitude with 17-inch wheels and front-wheel drive (FWD) looked quite basic, while the 80th Anniversary Edition with 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding offered a more refined look. Jeep's knack for maximizing roof utility was evident in the Cherokee, which featured an optional panoramic sunroof covering the entire top surface. The Cherokee's distinct design ensured it stood out in a crowded parking lot, bearing a resemblance to the larger Jeep Grand Cherokee from the front.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent introduced the Onyx Edition trim level, which featured a blacked-out exterior trim, black 20-inch aluminum wheels, a unique grille design, and special interior trim. This trim level aimed to give the Ascent a sporty appearance. The Ascent lineup included Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, and Touring trims, with prices ranging from $32,295 to $45,445, plus a $1,125 destination fee. The Onyx Edition, priced at $37,995, included water-repellant StarTex synthetic leather seats, and for an additional $2,000, buyers could add a panoramic moonroof, navigation system, and cargo cover. The gray two-tone StarTex upholstery was a practical choice, though it had a tendency to trap sweat. The Ascent's interior featured metallic trim on the dashboard and door panels, creating a suitable ambiance.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine options. The Latitude and Latitude Plus trims came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower. The 3.2-liter V-6 engine, available on higher trims, delivered 271 horsepower. The top-tier engine was the 2.0-liter GMET4 turbocharged four-cylinder, generating 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Despite these options, none of the engines provided outstanding acceleration, with the V6 and turbo-four engines achieving 0-60 mph times of around 7.2 and 7.4 seconds, respectively. All Cherokee models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, which had improved over time. The Cherokee Trailhawk model excelled in off-road capability, thanks to features like Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control. However, the Cherokee was also available in FWD, making it more affordable for rental fleets.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent came standard with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The Ascent achieved an EPA fuel-economy rating of 22 mpg combined, though testing showed an average of 20.5 mpg. The flat-four engine design contributed to a lower center of gravity, enhancing handling. The CVT offered eight programmed ratios and manual shift control, providing brisk acceleration and commendable passing power. The Ascent could tow up to 5,000 pounds. Subaru's X-Mode off-road traction control system, hill descent control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance made the Ascent capable off-road. In urban and suburban settings, the Ascent felt nimble and maneuverable, though sudden braking could be overly responsive. On country and mountain roads, the Ascent demonstrated athleticism, though its compliant suspension and tall height resulted in some body motion. On highways, the Ascent's lane-keeping and lane-centering assistance technologies could feel uncertain, but turning them off improved the driving experience.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee occupied a space between the smaller Renegade and the larger Grand Cherokee, competing with compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, it fell short in terms of utility, offering only 26 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 55 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded. This was less than competitors like the Mazda CX-5, Ford Escape, and Kia Sportage. The Cherokee provided about 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, making it competitive in that metric. The interior layout was simple and businesslike, with trim levels influencing the overall feel. The Latitude trim featured rubberized black plastic, while the Trailhawk offered suede seat inserts and contrasting stitching. The Latitude Lux trim had perforated Nappa leather upholstery for a more upscale appearance.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent could accommodate up to eight people with a second-row bench seat, though the third row was best suited for children. The driver's seat offered a comfortable and commanding position, and the Ascent Onyx Edition was equipped for winter weather with water-resistant seat material, triple-zone climate control, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and a wiper de-icer. Loading the second-row seat was easy, thanks to wide rear doors that opened nearly 90 degrees. Captain's chairs were available on all trims, and the panoramic sunroof extended over the second row. The Ascent provided ample storage, including a useful shelf on the dashboard and large cupholders in the second row. Cargo capacity was 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 47.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 86.5 cubic feet with both rows folded down. Models with the panoramic sunroof had slightly less cargo space.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system, available with a 7-inch touchscreen on lower trims and an 8.4-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system was user-friendly, with easy access to heated seat controls and climate settings. The Cherokee supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though only via wired connections. It also offered a 4G WiFi hotspot and Amazon Alexa integration. Remote start was available, a convenient feature in extreme climates. The Uconnect system was consistent across Stellantis brands, providing a familiar experience for users.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent came with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, satellite radio, and a CD player. The Premium trim added an 8-inch display with Starlink connected services, including a WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting with climate control pre-conditioning. Both systems had volume and tuning knobs and shortcut buttons. The voice recognition technology needed improvement, as it required specific commands. The Onyx Edition used standard stereo speakers, which lacked premium sound quality. The Touring trim offered additional features like a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree-view front camera.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee did not earn a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS but received top "Good" scores in crashworthiness categories and a G+ score for LATCH child seat anchors. The headlights received mixed ratings, with upper trims rated "Acceptable" and lower trims rated "Marginal." The NHTSA gave the Cherokee a four-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included lane departure warning, lane keep assist, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control with stop and go was available on higher trims.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent earned a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. The Ascent came standard with Subaru's EyeSight driver-assistance technology, including adaptive cruise control with lane-centering. However, EyeSight's performance could be affected by direct sunlight, and the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology lacked refinement. Additional safety features included steering responsive LED headlights with automatic high-beam assist. Blind-spot monitoring was available on Premium trim and higher, and reverse automatic braking was also offered.