2014 Jeep Cherokee Versus 2014 Toyota RAV4

We threw Cars.com's long-term Jeep Cherokee test car in the ring with a segment heavyweight for the latest installment of "Cherokee Versus." The Toyota RAV4 is an originator of car-based SUVs and one of the top-selling vehicles of any kind month after month. The Cherokee returned to the Jeep lineup for 2014 as a front-wheel-drive-based crossover SUV after a 13-year hiatus, while the RAV4 was redesigned for 2013.


Related: We Bought a 2014 Jeep Cherokee
Unlike our multicar Challenges, these head-to-head comparisons take our long-term car and pit it against a competitor from a rotating fleet of test cars supplied by various manufacturers. The RAV4 in question is an XLE four-cylinder with all-wheel drive ($28,772 as tested, with destination) that we're comparing to our Cherokee Limited four-cylinder with all-wheel drive ($33,378).

The $4,600 pricing disparity means there are a lot of gadgets and niceties in the Cherokee; some the RAV4 can be equipped with, like smart keyless access, and some it cannot, like a massive panoramic sunroof and heated steering wheel. Cars.com editors Joe Bruzek and Joe Wiesenfelder took the two SUVs on a driving loop around the Chicago area to see if it would indeed be as as easy as picking the more-expensive SUV as the winner or not.

Acceleration

Winner: RAV4
Joe Wiesenfelder: The RAV4 might deserve a higher grade, because its "lowish" weight combines with its modest power and journeyman six-speed for decent acceleration — definitely better than the Cherokee, whose problems have been well detailed.
Joe Bruzek: While both pokey, the RAV4's "basic" transmission harnessed the power more consistently. Our Cherokee received a software update to the nine-speed automatic just before this test that didn't take well to the car. We had to bring it back to get the update reinstalled and are currently evaluating the new performance. Unfortunately, that left the car in a bad place for this comparison.

Braking

Winner: RAV4
Wiesenfelder: The two are very close. I sensed slightly better linearity in the RAV4's braking, but I don't think it was enough of an improvement to earn it a higher number grade.
Bruzek: I observed a spongier pedal in the Cherokee versus the RAV4 that I thought was enough to give the RAV4 the edge here. The RAV4's pedal had a touch more confidence when coming down from speed.

Handling

Winner: RAV4
Wiesenfelder: I didn't see this coming, but I was pleasantly surprised with the RAV4. I was downright impressed with two earlier contestants, the Rogue and CX-5, and though the Toyota isn't a knockout, it really held its own. Most notable was the steering, which had the precision and feel I appreciate. The chassis also proved very composed and sportier than the Cherokee. The Cherokee handles well in a different way — with some body roll and less connected but surprisingly effortless and drama-free.
Bruzek: I totally agree; the RAV4 is considerably more carlike in its handling approach. The steering tightens up when turning into a corner, plus its body corners flatter and hugs the road more like a car. Tires are the weak spot here, giving up early and making a whole lot of squealing announcing their displeasure.

Noise

Winner: Cherokee
Wiesenfelder: The Cherokee continues to spank others in this regard. The RAV4 was livable, but it suffers wind noise and clearly more noise over bumps.
Bruzek: The rustling of the wind past the RAV4's windshield and mirrors cheapens an otherwise refined ride. The Cherokee still has a luxurylike quietness at highway speeds.

Ride

Winner: Cherokee
Wiesenfelder: The RAV4's suspension displays a sophistication I don't recall from the previous generation, a more carlike ride — but that has the associated pros and cons. The Cherokee absorbs the worst bumps more aptly. With the RAV4 comes more feel, for better and for worse.
Bruzek: The Cherokee can soak up a nasty pothole and keep on truckin' like nothing happened. It does so with a more noticeable wallow and sway compared to the RAV4, however. There's a dash of traditional SUV stirred into the Cherokee's ride-quality recipe.

Interior Quality

Winner: Cherokee
Wiesenfelder: The RAV4 is a big disappointment. From the 6-inch display to the hard plastics on touch points like the windowsills, this seems like a model that hasn't been redesigned as recently as it actually was. No points off for being less expensive as equipped. I think the cloth upholstery is fine. It's the basics they get wrong.
Bruzek: For two cars starting at nearly the same price, the Cherokee's interior quality has outright nicer materials and a style fitting of a more-expensive car. The Toyota, on the other hand, looks like a fabric store threw up on the inside with a massive variety of mismatched material surfaces.

Seats

Winner: RAV4
Wiesenfelder: I wouldn't mind a little bit more front-seat legroom in the Cherokee. The RAV4's cloth seats were a little more form-fitting, but I found them quite comfortable. There's much more headroom in the backseat of the RAV4. In the RAV4, my legs were raised a bit more, which I don't like, and I didn't find legroom very impressive. Also disappointed that the seats don't slide fore and aft. Cherokee has the edge back here, headroom aside (due to the panoramic roof).
Bruzek: I found the RAV4's backseat massive compared to the Cherokee even when the Cherokee's sliding backseat was in its rearmost position. This is where the RAV4 got its edge for me, plus the front seats offer a little more room for my lanky legs, and the seats are tight, fitted and athletic compared to the Cherokee's.

Multimedia

Winner: Cherokee
Wiesenfelder: Uconnect 8.4 is one of the best out there when it's behaving, and its giant screen alone sells it. The RAV4's problem starts with its 6-inch screen. This model was recently redesigned. Unacceptable. Unprompted, a passenger of mine who's ambivalent about cars said, "That's too small. Why even bother?"
Bruzek: Big screen, attractive graphics and easy usability makes the Cherokee's UConnect 8.4 system one of the best in the biz. Really, a no-contest win for the Cherokee.

Cargo

Winner: RAV4
Wiesenfelder: Wow. That's a lot of room. Super-low load floor, yet a high roof, too. The rear seats might not slide fore/aft, but the folding mechanism is very nicely executed. The head restraints pop forward 90 degrees and even stay down if you want them there for better rear visibility.
Bruzek: I think what's most impressive about the RAV4's cargo space is that not only is it much larger than the Cherokee, but the RAV4 is actually shorter end to end and has a narrower width; the RAV4 is taller, however.

Results

The RAV4 walks (drives?) out of the ring the winner after taking five category wins to the Cherokee's four. It was an interesting comparison, because overall the SUVs were so close yet in some categories — like cargo space, noise or interior quality — one was clearly dominant. The Cherokee having the edge in equipment with that higher price didn't play as much as a factor as you'd expect since the RAV4's strengths, like cargo and passenger room, are built into every model.