Crossover Comparison: Used Jeep Cherokee vs Used Honda CR-V

A crossover is something designed to please two different groups of people. The crossover was designed to fill the void left by the demise of the old station wagon, and two of the best deals on the market are a used Jeep Cherokee or a used Honda CR-V. These two crossovers represent the essence of their automaker’s style, with the Cherokee favoring the rugged looks of the Jeep while the CR-V embraces the more sloping compact lines that represent Honda. They are both really great values and excellent options if you are looking for a vehicle with plenty of room for up to five passengers, solid fuel economy, and exceptional dependability. Nevertheless, there are some key differences when you compare the Jeep Cherokee vs Honda CR-V.

Engines and Performance

Both the Jeep Cherokee and the Honda CR-V are front-wheel drive standard. This will give you excellent gas mileage and easy handling. However, there are times you might want more traction, either because you are dealing with inclement weather or you’d like to take your vehicle out on the trails. All-wheel drive operates by using a center differential between the vehicle’s two axles to equally distribute torque so that all four wheels get power. However, not every all-wheel drive system is equal, and the Cherokee’s Active Drive system includes an available low range and even an optional locking rear axle for superior 4×4 performance.

Since 2014, the Jeep Cherokee has given the choice of two different engines with a standard 9-speed automatic transmission. The standard engine on the Cherokee is a 2.4-liter I-4 Zero Evap M-Air engine that produces 180 hp and 171 lb-ft of torque. However, if you want incredible acceleration, there is a 3.2-liter V-6 gas engine with variable valve timing to improve engine efficiency. This V-6 produces 271 hp and 239 lb-ft of torque. Finally, there is also a 2.0-liter I-4 DOHC DI Turbo gas engine that was introduced for 2019 can produce up to 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.

Every Honda CR-V since 2020 features a 1.5-liter in-line 4-cylinder gas engine with a turbocharger. This engine was first introduced for 2017 alongside the older 2.4-liter engine and can produce up to 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. While it is efficient, it is also somewhat underpowered when compared to the available Jeep engine – a trait that is only magnified by the vehicle’s Continuously Variable Transmission. The older 2.4-liter engine, which is more common on the used market, is even less powerful at 184 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque.

Towing

One of the features that makes folks choose a crossover over a sedan is the ability to tow trailers. While a crossover will never compete with a pickup truck when it comes to towing, practically every automaker puts a trailer hitch on its crossover because the added weight and improved torque of this vehicle over a sedan give it the ability for some solid trailering. The Honda CR-V is rated to tow up to 1,500 lbs, which is not bad if you have a small dirt bike you’d like to take out for the weekend. However, this does not compare to the Jeep Cherokee. The Cherokee with the standard 2.4-liter engine can tow up to 2,000 lbs, easily outdoing the CR-V. The two other engines on the Cherokee more than double this, with the 2.0-liter engine increasing the Cherokee’s towing capability to 4,000 lbs and the 3.2-liter V-6 boosting it to a powerful 4,500 lbs. That is enough strength to tow a recreational vehicle or a small boat.

Infotainment Systems

Like most modern cars, the Jeep Cherokee and Honda CR-V feature their automaker’s respective infotainment systems, the Jeep Uconnect 4 and Honda Link. These have many features like Bluetooth connectivity, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, voice commands, a multi-speaker audio system, SiriusXM satellite radio, and even navigation on some of the upper trims. However, the standard screen size on the Honda CR-V is a rather paltry 5-inches, which can make the system more difficult to see and use. If you want the larger 7-inch color touchscreen, you will have to find a higher trim level.

In comparison, the Uconnect 4 system on the more recent Jeep Cherokees features a standard 7-inch color touchscreen. Higher trim levels on the Cherokee have an even larger 8.4-inch color touchscreen. This added size really comes in handy when you consider that the touchscreen is used to display the feed from the backup camera as well as navigation and entertainment. A larger can make a difference when trying to avoid another car, object, or even pedestrian when you are backing up your vehicle.

Passenger Space

Both the Jeep Cherokee and Honda CR-V have very spacious and well-appointed interiors. They even feature such luxury items as heated leather seats and steering wheels on the upper trim levels. However, the Cherokee’s passenger compartment is a full 128 cubic feet of space compared to 105.9 cubic feet in the CR-V. This means the Cherokee allows you and your passengers to stretch out more with that added 26 cubic feet of interior space. While the Honda CR-V does have solid interior dimensions, it can sometimes give you the feeling of being cramped, which is certainly not the case with the Jeep Cherokee.

Trims and Special Editions

If you are looking to buy a used crossover, having more models to choose from allows you to get a better bargain while also increasing the chances of finding a trim or special edition that has all the features you are looking for. Honda provides only a handful of trims on the CR-V. The LX is the base model and does not have a lot of the safety, convenience, and aesthetic features that people are looking for. The EX and EX-L trims are pretty much the same, with the only real difference being that the EX-L has a leather interior. The top Touring has all the bells and whistles but may be too expensive for most wallets, even on the pre-owned market.

In comparison, there is a nearly countless number of trims and special editions available in the Jeep Cherokee lineup. The base model is the Latitude, and if you want more features without having to go too far out-of-pocket, there are the Latitude Plus and Latitude Lux. If you love off-roading, the Trailhawk and Trailhawk Elite offer many standard items that improve the Cherokee’s off-road performance. The top trim is the Limited with such creature comfort items as leather seats and a larger Uconnect 4 system with navigation. The special editions change depending on the model year, but some common ones include the Altitude, Upland, High Altitude, and North Edition. This rounds out the Cherokee lineup and offers some different attributes as well, making it more likely that you will find a used Jeep Cherokee that has all the features you desire.

Outcome: Advantage Jeep Cherokee

The Jeep Cherokee is a top crossover that really hits the mark in providing an SUV that is easy to drive like a sedan, provides a very roomy interior, and is also rugged enough for the challenges of the road. By buying a used Jeep Cherokee, you will be getting a great deal on a great crossover. If you are ready to start shopping or just have some more questions about what the Cherokee offers, the team here at Orange Coast is here to help. Contact us or pay us a visit, and we will get you back out on the road in an affordable and capable vehicle.