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Jeep Cherokee vs Toyota RAV4

2026 Jeep Cherokee vs 2026 Toyota RAV4 — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Jeep Cherokee

2026 Jeep Cherokee

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS4 – 3Jeep Cherokee wins 4 of 7 categories
Toyota RAV4

2026 Toyota RAV4

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Toyota RAV4 is more fuel-efficient: 43 vs 37 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $250 a year less in fuel for the Toyota RAV4 (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Jeep Cherokee is the bigger car, about 7 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Jeep Cherokee has had fewer recall campaigns (43 vs 50).

The two cars

The 2026 Jeep Cherokee is a standard SUV offered with a 1.6L 4-cyl turbo engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 188 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,295 lb.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 is a small SUV offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 181 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,746 lb (Le 4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2023 Cherokee and the 2022 RAV4 have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2015 Cherokee and the 2019 RAV4.

Basics

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Hybrid
Fuel
Hybrid
1.6L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl
All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

37 MPG
Best combined MPG
43 MPG
39 city
City / highway MPG (best)
47 city
$1,800
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$1,550

Performance & space

210 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
186 hp
–
Seats (most)
5
188.2 in
Length
181.1 in
74.8 in
Width
72.8 in
67.3 in
Height
66.5 in
4,295 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,746 lb

Safety & reliability

14
Driver-assist features standard
13
4
Recalls (2026)
2
43
Recalls, all years since 2005
50
9
Owner complaints (latest year)
42

Interest

12,175
Wikipedia views, 30 days
45,921

Buying used

2023
Best used year
2022
2015
Year to avoid
2019

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Jeep Cherokee if…

  • You want more power (up to 210 vs 186 hp)
  • You want more room (7 in longer)
  • You put reliability history first (43 vs 50 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Toyota RAV4 if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (43 vs 37 MPG)
  • You want something easier to park (7 in shorter)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Jeep Cherokee

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 37 MPG combined — 85% better than the average 2026 standard SUV (20 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

2026 Toyota RAV4

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 43 MPG combined — 42% better than the average 2026 small SUV (30.2 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Jeep Cherokee specs →Full 2026 Toyota RAV4 specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →