Jeep Cherokee vs Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's styling had evolved since its debut, and opinions had softened over time. While the short grille opening and swept-back headlights were initially polarizing, they became more accepted after seven years. The Cherokee's proportions improved, making it look better than when it first arrived. The exterior appearance varied significantly with trim levels. The entry-level Latitude with 17-inch wheels and FWD looked quite basic, while the 80th Anniversary Edition with 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding appeared much more refined. Jeep's expertise in roof design was evident with the Cherokee's optional panoramic sunroof, which covered the entire top surface. The Cherokee stood out in a crowded SUV market, bearing a resemblance to the larger Jeep Grand Cherokee, especially from the front.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited, fully loaded with options, had an MSRP of $42,083, including the destination charge. Despite its high price, it didn't look much different from a standard rental car RAV4. The trim level deserved larger wheels like the non-hybrid RAV4 Limited, and an Adventure trim level would have been a welcome addition. The electronic AWD system wasn't up to the task for more rugged adventures. The RAV4 Hybrid had a tough appearance, but the 18-inch wheels were bland and undersized. Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid was stylish, functional, and practical, with a mix of impressive materials and glossy hard plastics. A rattle from the license plate on the tailgate was a minor annoyance.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine options depending on the trim level. The Latitude and Latitude Plus 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 hp. The top-tier engine was the 2.0-liter GMET4 turbocharged four-cylinder, generating 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, making it optional on the Latitude Lux and Limited trims. None of these engines provided outstanding acceleration, with the V6 and turbo-four achieving 0-60 mph in about 7.2 and 7.4 seconds, respectively. All Cherokee models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, which had improved over time. The Cherokee Trailhawk excelled off-road with features like Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control. The Cherokee was available in FWD, making it more affordable for rental fleets.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine with front and rear electric motors and a lithium-ion battery pack, providing standard AWD. The hybrid powertrain generated 219 horsepower, with the front electric motor producing 149 lb-ft of torque and the rear motor generating 89 lb-ft. The RAV4 Hybrid offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, Trail, and EV. The EPA estimated 40 mpg in combined driving, and testing averaged 39.7 mpg. The CVT operated smoothly, and the regenerative braking system was effective. The RAV4 Hybrid's suspension design and Active Cornering Assist system enhanced ride and handling, though the all-season tires lacked grip. The RAV4 Hybrid handled well on winding roads and provided a comfortable daily driving experience. It had 8.1 inches of ground clearance and a Trail driving mode for light off-road use.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee occupied a space between the smaller Renegade and larger Grand Cherokee, competing with compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, it fell short in utility, offering only 26 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 55 cubic feet with them folded, making it one of the least spacious in its class. The Cherokee provided about 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, competitive with the Ford Escape and Kia Sportage. The interior layout was simple and businesslike, with trim levels affecting satisfaction. The Latitude trim featured rubberized black plastic, while the Trailhawk had suede seat inserts and contrasting stitching. The Latitude Lux offered perforated Nappa leather upholstery for a more upscale appearance.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid prioritized comfort with features like an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, a heated steering wheel, and heated and ventilated front seats. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed decent legroom, good leg support, and reclining backrests, though the seat felt a bit low. The dashboard layout was intuitive, with oversized climate control knobs and easy-to-use infotainment controls. Storage was ample, with useful shelves and compartments throughout the cabin. The RAV4 Hybrid offered 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 69.8 cubic feet with them folded. The cargo area included a netted cubby and a subwoofer for the premium sound system, though the all-weather mat was cumbersome.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee featured the Stellantis Uconnect infotainment system, praised for its user-friendly interface. It offered two screen sizes: a 7-inch touchscreen on lower trims and an 8.4-inch touchscreen on higher trims. Both screens were responsive and easy to use. The Cherokee supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though only via wired connections. It also provided 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 vehicles, ensuring a familiar experience for users.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered infotainment systems with either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen display. Both systems included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The top-tier system in the test vehicle featured an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system, dynamic navigation, and voice recognition with free updates and subscriptions. The 8-inch display was user-friendly, with shortcut buttons and stereo knobs for easy access. The dynamic voice recognition technology was generally accurate, though it couldn't adjust climate settings. The JBL sound system was satisfactory. The RAV4 Hybrid also offered advanced camera-based technology, including a 360-degree surround-view camera system and a rearview camera mirror.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee did not earn a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. It received top "Good" scores in crashworthiness categories and a G+ score for LATCH child seat anchors. However, its headlights received "Marginal" ratings on lower trims. The NHTSA gave the Cherokee a four-star overall safety rating, with a slight demerit for front driver side crash protection. 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 only on higher trims.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and road-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning were standard on all but the Hybrid LE trim. Rear automatic braking was available on the Hybrid Limited. TSS 2.0 was generally effective, though lane-centering assistance and adaptive cruise control had some quirks. The RAV4 Hybrid earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top marks from the IIHS, except for its headlights.