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2019 Jeep Cherokee vs. 2019 Mazda CX-5: Which Is Best?
2018 Mazda CX 5 front three quarter ・ Photo by Mazda
The Jeep Cherokee and Mazda CX-5 are two of the most well-regarded small SUVs in America. The Cherokee gets high marks for its off-road prowess. The CX-5 is a favorite of many vehicle evaluators for its stellar on-road performance.
The Cherokee has been a leader in the segment for decades. While some credit the first Ford Explorer with starting the SUV craze, a four-door version of the Cherokee actually predated the Explorer by several years. It’s in its fifth generation, and in the world of SUVs, that’s a long time. The Cherokee has been a sales success for decades. The Mazda CX-5 doesn’t have the Cherokee’s lengthy history, but it is also much praised. Launched in 2013 and redesigned for 2017, it is currently in its second generation, and it uses Mazda’s innovative Skyactiv suite of technologies. Versatility, safety, interior room, and overall comfort are hallmarks of both vehicles, but each is skewed differently. Which is best?
Engines and Transmissions
The 2019 Jeep Cherokee offers three engines, and the newest is a 2.0-liter direct-injection inline four-cylinder that boasts 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a highly efficient nine-speed automatic transmission, it has engine stop-start technology, direct injection, and a twin-scroll, low-inertia turbocharger. Also available are a naturally aspirated 180-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a 271-horsepower 3.2-liter Pentastar V6 engine. And there’s more choice than simply in the engine compartment. The Cherokee also offers three different 4x4 systems.
The predominant engine in the CX-5 is a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder that delivers 187 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. Like the base Cherokee, the base CX-5 is front-wheel drive, and it uses a six-speed automatic transmission that seems a bit antiquated in this era of eight-, nine- and 10-speeds. But with Mazda’s unique Skyactiv technology, the real-world fuel economy is excellent.
Jeep Cherokee
Photo by Fiat Chrylser Automobiles
Exterior Style
The CX-5 and Cherokee are among the best-looking vehicles in the segment. Jeep stylists recently altered the Cherokee’s front grille, the most controversial aspect of the design, in the course of an overall facelift. The seven-slot grille immediately identifies the Cherokee as a Jeep, and off-road-influenced approach and departure angles look aggressive and contribute to the Cherokee’s capabilities. One of our favorite features is the new push-open fuel door and capless fuel fill that eliminates the need to deal with a fuel-filler cap.
The Mazda CX-5 makes a statement with its massive front grille. There is nothing remarkable about its overall exterior shape, but it is one of the most tailored of the current crop of small crossovers. Flanking the grille, the headlights are an effective counterpoint that help the CX-5 deliver an upscale look.
Mazda CX-5
Photo by Mazda
Interior Style
The Mazda CX-5 boasts an interior that is filled with European influences. That is largely a good thing, although the console-mounted controller that functions much like a computer mouse takes some getting used to in this age of touchscreens. That said, the controls for important functions like heating and air conditioning are easy to understand. The front seats adjust in a multitude of directions and are comfortable for the long haul. The overall look is decidedly upscale, and the CX-5 could be a ready substitute for a luxury-brand compact SUV.
The Cherokee’s interior might be labeled “iconic American” because it makes it clear you’re in a Jeep. Piano black and satin chrome lend a quality air to the design. The media center includes a USB port and 115-volt outlet, and it is accompanied by a convenient place for smartphone storage and charging. The redesigned, fully adjustable seats are covered in cloth or leather.
Mazda CX-5
Photo by Mazda
Infotainment and Tech
The 2019 Cherokee offers a variety of Uconnect systems, which we like for their big icons and easy-to-grasp navigation. Both 7- and 8.4-inch touchscreens feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and we appreciate the seamless way Apple CarPlay integrates an iPhone with the car’s built-in display. A thin-film transistor LED 3.5-inch grayscale or 7-inch full-color reconfigurable instrument cluster enables you to customize the driver’s instrument area. Choices of info displayed include turn-by-turn navigation, vehicle speed, current fuel economy, and audio information.
In contrast to the intuitive Cherokee infotainment system, the CX-5’s system requires a learning curve and, even then, some tasks — like tuning to a new radio station — take more effort than seems warranted. On the other hand, once you’re used to it, the CX-5’s system is just fine.
Jeep Cherokee
Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
Safety and Driver Aids
Both the Mazda CX-5 and Jeep Cherokee can be equipped with an impressive array of active safety features. The Cherokee offers Adaptive Cruise Control-Plus, Forward Collision Warning-Plus, and LaneSense Lane Departure Warning-Plus. The Jeep can also be fitted with electronic stability control, electronic roll mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross path detection. Both the CX-5 and Cherokee feature a rear backup camera. The Cherokee also offers an optional parallel and perpendicular park assist system.
The CX-5 has blind-spot monitoring with a rear cross traffic alert and Smart City Brake Support as standard. Smart Brake Support, a lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist, high-beam control, and adaptive cruise control are standard on the two upper-level trims. The electronic safety aids in both vehicles are accompanied by robust arrays of passive safety equipment like airbags and seat belts.
Jeep Cherokee
Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
Handling and Off-Road Ability
With the right equipment, the Cherokee is the most capable off-roader in its segment. At the same time, the CX-5 is the driver’s choice for on-road fun. So part of this comparison is deciding what is more important to you. It’s likely you won’t spend much of your driving time off road, so the pendulum might swing toward the Mazda. But, on the other hand, the Cherokee performs well on everything from highways to parking lots even in Trailhawk off-road trim.
The CX-5 offers more communicative steering, and it is the better choice if you want to blast up a canyon road early on a Saturday morning. The all-wheel-drive CX-5 can be equipped with torque vectoring that kicks up its ability through curves.
Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
Cargo and Towing
As we said before, the Cherokee sacrifices some interior and cargo room for enhanced off-road abilities. It offers 128 cubic feet of interior space. With the rear seats up for use, it has 25.8 cubic feet of cargo area behind the rear seat backs. With the rear seats folded, the Cherokee has 54.7 cubic feet for cargo.
The Mazda CX-5 offers a slightly larger amount of interior space —134.5 cubic feet total interior volume. With the rear seat in use, it has 30.9 cubic feet of cargo space. With the rear seat folded, the CX-5 has 59.6 cubic feet of cargo area. Equipped with the 271-horsepower 3.2-liter Pentastar V6 engine, the Cherokee offers maximum towing of 4,500 pounds. The Mazda CX-5 has a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.
Jeep Cherokee
Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
Fuel Economy
When it comes to fuel economy numbers, the Mazda CX-5 with its Skyactiv technology outdoes the Jeep Cherokee, but the differences aren’t as stark as you might guess. The front-drive CX-5 has EPA ratings of 25 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 28 mpg overall, while the all-wheel-drive version has EPA ratings of 24 mpg city/30 mpg highway/26 mpg overall. The promised CX-5 turbodiesel has an EPA rating of 28 mpg city/31 mpg highway/29 mpg overall.
The most fuel-efficient of the Cherokees is the 2.0-liter turbo with EPA ratings of 23 mpg city/31 mpg highway/26 mpg overall. A front-drive Cherokee with the base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivers 22 mpg city/31 mpg highway/ 25 mpg overall, and a front-drive with the V6 gets 20 mpg city/29 mpg highway/23 mpg overall. A V6-powered Cherokee Trailhawk, the premier off-road model, is rated 21 mpg city/18 mpg highway/24 mpg overall.
Jeep Cherokee
Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
Verdict
Both of these crossover SUVs are satisfying vehicles, but each goes its own direction. For many, the Mazda CX-5 with a base price of just over $24,000 is the superior choice for on-road driving. At the same time, the front-drive Cherokee with a base price just a hundred dollars or so more is a surprisingly good and very versatile on-road vehicle.
Should you seek off-road chops, the Jeep Cherokee is definitely the ticket. Its highest off-road trim, Trailhawk Elite, has a suggested price of about $34,000, and it is undoubtedly the best off-highway vehicle in its size class. Another advantage of the Cherokee is that its engine choices and trim levels enable it to be equipped the way you want it. We love driving the Mazda CX-5, but in this comparison, it’s hard not to reward the versatility of the Jeep Cherokee.
Jeep Cherokee
Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles