2023 Jeep Cherokee vs. 2023 Toyota RAV4: Which is Better?

If you’re in the market for a compact crossover, two great options that you may have come across already are the Jeep Cherokee and Toyota RAV4. Both vehicles have a lot of benefits, including solid engines, spacious cargo areas, and plenty of infotainment features. But we wanted to know which one comes out on top in a head-to-head comparison. Our team of Jeep experts here at Marion Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (CDJR) have taken a look at how the most important features of the Cherokee and RAV4 stack up against each other.

Jeep Cherokee vs. Toyota RAV4: Engine and Performance

A major advantage of the Jeep Cherokee is that it has two engine options rather than the RAV4’s solitary offering. This means that you can choose the one that better suits your personal requirements, whether that be a fuel-efficient unit for city driving or a stronger powertrain for off-roading. The Cherokee’s main engine is a four-cylinder unit that puts out 180 horsepower and achieves 29 mpg on the highway. If you’d prefer more power under the hood, the Cherokee’s optional engine is a turbocharged four-cylinder that puts out 270 horsepower.

The RAV4’s only engine option is a four-cylinder unit capable of churning out 203 horsepower and achieving 35 mpg on the highway. The Toyota has a towing limit of 3,500 pounds, which is edged out slightly by the Cherokee’s 4,000 pounds. The Jeep also does a better job of handling off-roading tasks thanks to its four-wheel-drive system, optional skid plates, and low-range gearing. The RAV4 does not offer such a comprehensive list of off-roading equipment as the Cherokee, and it’s only available with all-wheel drive.

Cherokee vs. RAV4: Cargo and Passenger Capacity

The RAV4 has a slight edge in terms of interior cargo room, but the Cherokee still has a decent amount of space at the rear. With the second row of seats in use, the RAV4 offers about 37 cubic feet of storage space compared to the Cherokee’s 25 cubic feet. In practice, this means you’ll be able to fit a few extra suitcases in the back of the RAV4 than in the Cherokee.

That said, the Cherokee’s 25 cubic feet is more than enough room to fit your daily cargo or a load of groceries. You also have the advantage of a better towing capacity with the Jeep if you need to haul much larger items.

There’s not much to choose between the seating options in these two SUVs. Both can seat up to five people across their two rows, and they each have ample headroom and legroom for adults to sit in both rows. The standard setup in the Jeep includes leather upholstery and cloth upholstery in the Toyota. You can add upscale features such as heated front seats, power-adjustable seats, and a heated steering wheel by moving up the trim ladder. You’ll also find the necessary equipment to safely install kids’ seats in the rear row of both crossovers.

Cherokee vs. RAV4: Infotainment and Safety Tech

The entertainment features on offer are equally impressive in the Cherokee and RAV4. Each has a six-speaker stereo, an 8-inch touch screen, and connectivity features such as USB ports and Bluetooth. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto also ensure you’ll have smartphone connectivity. Both vehicles have a navigation system, and the RAV4 also has a standard Wi-Fi hotspot. The main optional upgrade available in the Cherokee is a nine-speaker premium stereo. The RAV4 has an optional 10.5-inch display and an 11-speaker stereo.

There’s also little to choose between these two on the safety front. Both vehicles showcase a long list of standard driver assistance features, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Cherokee has front and rear parking sensors to help you maneuver in and out of tight spots, while the RAV4 features traffic sign recognition. Optional safety upgrades include a surround-view parking camera in the RAV4 and automatic high-beam headlights in the Cherokee.

Cherokee and RAV4: Trims

There are two trims on offer if you choose the 2023 Jeep Cherokee: Altitude Lux and Trailhawk. The RAV4 comes in six trims: LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure, TRD Off-Road, and Limited.

The Jeep Cherokee Altitude Lux trim includes leather upholstery, power-adjustable and heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. With the Lux Elite package, you can add a sunroof, ventilated front seats, and a hands-free power liftgate. In keeping with its off-roading name, the Trailhawk gets all-terrain tires, off-roading suspension, and a more powerful engine. You’ll also benefit from an upgraded four-wheel-drive system to help you navigate tough terrain. Cloth upholstery is standard in this trim, but you can add leather as an optional upgrade.

The RAV4’s longer trim list begins with the base LE. Stepping up to the XLE trim adds a power-adjustable driver’s seat and automatic climate control. The XLE Premium trim gets you synthetic leather seats, a moonroof, and LED fog lights. The Adventure and TRD Off-Road are the trims best designed for off-roading, with all-wheel drive and an off-road suspension in the TRD Off-Road. The final Limited trim adds heated and ventilated front seats, a larger touch screen, the 11-speaker stereo, and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster.

As you can see, both of these crossovers have many strengths. However, we think the Cherokee comes out on top, which is mostly due to its larger engine selection, superior off-roading performance, and better towing abilities. If you’d like to test-drive a Cherokee in Marion, North Carolina, we’d be happy to help.

Here at Marion CDJR, our team is standing by to take your call or chat with you in person if you choose to drop by. Feel free to contact us today if you have any questions or want to learn more about the benefits of owning a 2023 Jeep Cherokee.

If you’d prefer to explore our range of Jeep Cherokees at your own pace, you can check out our online inventory. We can provide assistance if you require an auto loan to complete your purchase thanks to the range of competitive loan packages we offer at our finance department.

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