Compare the2026 Honda HR-VVS 2026 Jeep Cherokee

The Honda HR-V has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Cherokee doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Honda HR-V achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Jeep Cherokee has not been tested.

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

The Honda HR-V has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Cherokee has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda above average in initial quality. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda above average in long-term dependability. With 1 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Jeep is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda fourth in overall reliability. Jeep is ranked 19th.

The HR-V LX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Cherokee’s standard 65 series tires.

The HR-V EX-L AWD handles at .82 G’s, while the Cherokee Overland pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The HR-V EX-L AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Cherokee Overland (28.1 seconds @ .57 average G’s vs. 28.9 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the HR-V’s turning circle is 5.2 feet tighter than the Cherokee’s (35.1 feet vs. 40.3 feet). The HR-V Sport’s turning circle is 3.2 feet tighter than the Cherokee’s (37.1 feet vs. 40.3 feet).

The Honda HR-V may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 950 to 1150 pounds less than the Jeep Cherokee.

The HR-V is 8.3 inches shorter than the Cherokee, making the HR-V easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front step up height for the HR-V is .1 inches lower than the Cherokee (18.4” vs. 18.5”). The HR-V’s rear step up height is 1.1 inches lower than the Cherokee’s (17.9” vs. 19”).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the HR-V easier. The HR-V’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.6 inches, while the Cherokee’s liftover is 31.2 inches.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Honda service is better than Jeep. J.D. Power ranks Honda 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 19% lower rating, Jeep is ranked 21st.

On a hot day the HR-V’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance with the keyless remote or at the outside door handle. The driver of the Cherokee can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Honda HR-V has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Cherokee Limited/Overland offers wireless charging.

The HR-V is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Cherokee doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Honda HR-V, based on reliability, safety and performance.