Compare the2026 Mazda CX-5 VS 2026 Jeep Cherokee

The Mazda CX-5 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 Mazda CX-5 achieved a “Good” rating - the 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.

The CX-5 has a standard Secondary Collision Reduction System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Cherokee doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the CX-5 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, 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Mazda CX-5 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2026 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, a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test, and a “Good” score in the revised vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention test. The Cherokee has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2026.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda third in reliability, above the industry average. With 114 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is ranked 33rd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 10 places higher in reliability than Jeep.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-5 is faster than the Jeep Cherokee:

	CX-5	Cherokee
Zero to 60 MPH	8.8 sec	9.4 sec
Quarter Mile	16.7 sec	17.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	83.1 MPH	80.8 MPH

The CX-5 has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Cherokee (15.3 vs. 13.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The CX-5’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (57% to 43%) than the Cherokee’s (58.6% to 41.4%). This gives the CX-5 more stable handling and braking.

The CX-5 S Premium Plus executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Cherokee Overland (28.2 seconds @ .59 average G’s vs. 28.9 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CX-5’s turning circle is 3.5 feet tighter than the Cherokee’s (36.8 feet vs. 40.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-5 Preferred/Premium has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Cherokee (8.2 vs. 8 inches), allowing the CX-5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Mazda CX-5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 pounds less than the Jeep Cherokee.

The CX-5 is 3.5 inches shorter than the Cherokee, making the CX-5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The CX-5 has 3.2 inches more front legroom and .1 inches more front hip room than the Cherokee.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CX-5 easier. The CX-5’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.5 inches, while the Cherokee’s liftover is 31.2 inches.

The CX-5’s cargo area is larger than the Cherokee’s in almost every dimension:

	CX-5	Cherokee
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	39.1”/75”	38.4”/74.8”
Max Width	57.5”	50.8”
Min Width	41.3”	43.4”
Height	33.9”	33”

The CX-5 Preferred/Premium has a standard heads-up display that projects speed in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Cherokee doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The CX-5’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Cherokee’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

On a hot day the CX-5’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Cherokee can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Cherokee’s available cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The CX-5 Premium Plus’ standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

When the CX-5 Preferred/Premium is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Cherokee’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Mazda CX-5 and Jeep Cherokee offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The CX-5 offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Cherokee’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda CX-5, based on reliability, safety and performance.