Compare the2026 Jeep CherokeeVS 2025 Mazda CX-5

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics

Safety

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The Jeep Cherokee has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The CX-5 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Jeep Cherokee’s optional 360-degree camera has integrated front and rear camera washers, ensuring clear, all-weather visibility without the need for manual cleaning. In contrast, the Mazda CX-5 lacks camera washers, requiring you to manually clean the cameras for optimal performance.

Both the Cherokee and the CX-5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Jeep Cherokee weighs 424 to 616 pounds more than the Mazda CX-5. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance on the Cherokee for 2 years and unlimited miles. Jeep will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance (up to 2 visits). Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CX-5.

There are over 4 times as many Jeep dealers as there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Cherokee’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Jeep vehicles are better in initial quality than Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Jeep above average in initial quality. With 39 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is rated below average.

Engine

The Cherokee’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 23 more horsepower (210 vs. 187) and 45 lbs.-ft. more torque (230 vs. 185) than the CX-5’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Cherokee gets better mileage than the CX-5:

			MPG
Cherokee
	AWD	1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	42 city/33 hwy
CX-5
	AWD	Carbon/Premium Plus 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/30 hwy
		S/Select/Preferred 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	23 city/29 hwy
		2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/27 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Cherokee’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Jeep Cherokee uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CX-5 with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

Transmission

The Cherokee has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Cherokee’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-5:

	Cherokee	CX-5	CX-5 Turbo
Front Rotors	13 inches	11.7 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	12.6 inches	11.9 inches	11.9 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Cherokee Overland’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-5 (235/50R20 vs. 225/65R17).

The Cherokee Overland’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-5 Carbon/Premium/Turbo’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Cherokee Overland has standard 20-inch wheels. The CX-5’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Cherokee has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The CX-5 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Cherokee’s wheelbase is 6.8 inches longer than on the CX-5 (113 inches vs. 106.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Cherokee is 1.4 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than on the CX-5.

For greater off-road capability the Cherokee has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-5 (8 vs. 7.6 inches), allowing the Cherokee to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Cherokee’s minimum ground clearance is .1 inch higher than on the CX-5 Carbon/Premium/Turbo (8 vs. 7.9 inches).

Chassis

The front grille of the Cherokee uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The CX-5 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Cherokee uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The CX-5 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Cherokee has 3.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-5 (107.4 vs. 103.6).

The Cherokee has .5 inches more front headroom and .5 inches more front shoulder room than the CX-5.

Cargo Capacity

The Cherokee has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-5 with its rear seat up (33.6 vs. 29.1 cubic feet). The Cherokee has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-5 with its rear seat folded (68.3 vs. 59.3 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Cherokee Overland’s cargo door can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Towing

The Cherokee’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the CX-5’s (3500 vs. 2000 pounds).

Ergonomics

The power windows standard on both the Cherokee and the CX-5 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Cherokee is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-5 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Cherokee’s standard Keyless Enter-N-Go allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the CX-5 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Pushbutton Start is not available on the CX-5 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Premium.

The Cherokee’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The CX-5’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Cherokee’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the CX-5 Premium/Turbo.

The Cherokee Limited/Overland’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The CX-5 offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Cherokee has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the CX-5 Select/Preferred/Carbon Edition/Premium/Turbo.

Both the Cherokee and the CX-5 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Cherokee has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The CX-5 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Compared to traditional radio, the Jeep Cherokee’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the CX-5 Carbon/Premium/Turbo.

The Cherokee Overland has a 115-volt a/c outlet, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Cherokee Overland’s Automated Parking System can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The CX-5 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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