2026 Toyota RAV4 vs Jeep Cherokee: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the RAV4 — it leads our weighted scorecard 6–0.5 across 7 categories, winning on fewer NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (0.18 vs 1.27) and better 5-year value retention (63.7% vs 44.2%). Choose the Cherokee if a shorter recent recall list matters to you (1 vs 5).
Scorecard: RAV4 6 pts · Cherokee 0.5 pts across 7 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2026 RAV4 | 2026 Cherokee | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $31,900 | — | No data |
| NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2) | 0.18 | 1.27 | RAV4 |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 63.7% | 44.2% | RAV4 |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 43 mpg | 37 mpg | RAV4 |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 324 hp | 210 hp | RAV4 |
| Max towing (1) | 3,500 lb | 3,500 lb | Tie |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | 37.8 cu ft | — | No data |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | 2.2% off MSRP | — | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 5 | 1 | Cherokee |
| Weighted points | 6 | 0.5 | RAV4 |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the RAV4 — 43 mpg vs 37 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: the RAV4 — 0.18 vs 1.27 (NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the RAV4 — 63.7% vs 44.2% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: it's a wash — RAV4 3,500 lb vs Cherokee 3,500 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
A current starting MSRP isn't on file for both models. Verified RAV4 buyers paid a median 2.2% off MSRP across 70 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 4.2% off. Used, the median asking price is $28,621 for the RAV4 and $14,368 for the Cherokee (all model years, US dealer listings).
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- RAV4: 0.18 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 98th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- Cherokee: 1.27 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022 sales years; 6th percentile among the SUVs we track).
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: RAV4 5, Cherokee 1.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Cherokee 2016 (caution), 2017 (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 RAV4 | 2026 Cherokee | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $31,900 | — |
| Top-trim MSRP | $48,500 | — |
| Horsepower | 226–324 hp | 210 hp |
| Max torque | 170 lb-ft | 230 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 38–43 mpg (hybrid avail.) | 37 mpg (hybrid avail.) |
| Max towing | 3,500 lb | 3,500 lb |
| Max payload | 1,340 lb | 850 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 37.8 cu ft | — |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) RAV4 lists for a median $26,414 — 63.7% of today's median new price of $41,446. A 5-year-old (2021) Cherokee lists for a median $18,985 — 44.2% of today's median new price of $42,973.
Shop both
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More on the Toyota RAV4
More on the Jeep Cherokee
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the RAV4 better than the Cherokee?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the RAV4 — it leads our weighted scorecard 6–0.5 across 7 categories, winning on fewer NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (0.18 vs 1.27) and better 5-year value retention (63.7% vs 44.2%). Choose the Cherokee if a shorter recent recall list matters to you (1 vs 5).
Which is more reliable, the RAV4 or the Cherokee?
On federal data, the RAV4: owners filed 0.18 NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold versus 1.27 for the Cherokee (2015–2022 sales years). That's complaint volume, not a survey score. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 RAV4 and 1 for the Cherokee.
Which holds its value better, the RAV4 or the Cherokee?
The RAV4: a 5-year-old example lists for 63.7% of the new price, versus 44.2% for the Cherokee, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the RAV4 or the Cherokee?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models.
Which has better gas mileage, the RAV4 or the Cherokee?
The RAV4: up to 43 mpg combined vs 37 mpg for the Cherokee (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 Toyota RAV4 vs Jeep Cherokee: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/toyota-rav4-vs-jeep-cherokee, updated November 8, 2026.