2026–27 Jeep Cherokee vs Jeep Wrangler: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
It's a tie on our scorecard: the Cherokee and Wrangler earn the same points across 5 categories. Choose the Cherokee if fuel economy comes first (37 mpg vs 21 mpg best EPA combined). Choose the Wrangler if you want the most power (470 hp vs 210 hp).
Scorecard: Cherokee 2 pts · Wrangler 2 pts across 5 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2026 Cherokee | 2027 Wrangler | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | — | $36,390 | No data |
| NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2) | 1.27 | 1.12 | Tie |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 44.2% | — | No data |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 37 mpg | 21 mpg | Cherokee |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 210 hp | 470 hp | Wrangler |
| Max towing (1) | 3,500 lb | 5,000 lb | Wrangler |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | — | No data |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | — | 7% off MSRP | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 1 | 19 | Cherokee |
| Weighted points | 2 | 2 | Tie |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the Cherokee — 37 mpg vs 21 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: it's a wash — Cherokee 1.27 vs Wrangler 1.12 (NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold).
- Towing. Towing: the Wrangler — 5,000 lb vs 3,500 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
A current starting MSRP isn't on file for both models. Verified Wrangler buyers paid a median 7% off MSRP across 6 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 9.2% off. Used, the median asking price is $14,368 for the Cherokee and $21,584 for the Wrangler (all model years, US dealer listings).
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Cherokee: 1.27 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 6th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- Wrangler: 1.12 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 13th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Cherokee 1, Wrangler 19.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Cherokee 2016 (caution), 2017 (caution) · Wrangler 2016 (caution).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2026 Cherokee | 2027 Wrangler | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | — | $36,390 |
| Top-trim MSRP | — | $57,285 |
| Horsepower | 210 hp | 270–470 hp |
| Max torque | 230 lb-ft | 470 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 37 mpg (hybrid avail.) | 14–21 mpg |
| Max towing | 3,500 lb | 5,000 lb |
| Max payload | 850 lb | 1,562 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | — / 5 |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) Cherokee lists for a median $18,985 — 44.2% of today's median new price of $42,973. There's no 5-year retention figure for the Wrangler yet.
Shop both
- See new 2026 Jeep Cherokees for sale →
- See 20,301 new 2027 Jeep Wranglers for sale →Median listed price $54,159 · updated Nov 7, 2026
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Jeep Cherokee
More on the Jeep Wrangler
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Cherokee better than the Wrangler?
On our scorecard it's a tie. Choose the Cherokee if fuel economy comes first (37 mpg vs 21 mpg best EPA combined). Choose the Wrangler if you want the most power (470 hp vs 210 hp).
Which is more reliable, the Cherokee or the Wrangler?
They're even: 1.27 vs 1.12 NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold — inside our 15% tie band. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Cherokee and 19 for the Wrangler.
Which holds its value better, the Cherokee or the Wrangler?
We don't have a 5-year retention figure for both models.
Which is cheaper, the Cherokee or the Wrangler?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models.
Which has better gas mileage, the Cherokee or the Wrangler?
The Cherokee: up to 37 mpg combined vs 21 mpg for the Wrangler (best EPA rating across each lineup).
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Jeep Cherokee vs Jeep Wrangler: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/jeep-cherokee-vs-jeep-wrangler, updated November 8, 2026.