Jeep Cherokee vs Mazda CX-5

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee's styling had evolved since its debut, and opinions on its design had mellowed over time. While the short grille opening and swept-back headlights were initially polarizing, they became more accepted after seven years. The Cherokee's appearance varied significantly depending on the trim level. The entry-level Latitude with 17-inch wheels and front-wheel drive (FWD) looked quite basic, while the 80th Anniversary Edition with 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels and painted lower body cladding appeared much more refined. Jeep's attention to roof design was notable, with the Cherokee offering an optional panoramic sunroof that covered the entire top surface. The Cherokee's distinct look ensured it stood out in a crowded parking lot, bearing a resemblance to the larger Jeep Grand Cherokee from the front.

In contrast, the 2022 Mazda CX-5 featured subtle yet impactful updates. The new LED headlights and taillights provided more distinctive illumination, and the revised bumpers, grille, and rear liftgate added to its refreshed look. The top-of-the-line Signature trim received body-color lower exterior trim, enhancing Mazda's premium brand aspirations. Inside, the CX-5 retained its luxurious feel with premium Nappa leather upholstery, real wood trim, and polished metallic accents. The new seats offered improved comfort, addressing previous complaints about the front seats. Mazda also restructured its trim levels, introducing the CX-5 2.5 S and 2.5 Turbo, with the latter offering a turbocharged engine for those seeking more power. The test vehicle, a 2.5 Turbo, came equipped with optional features like Soul Red paint, a navigation system, and roof rails, bringing the total cost to $39,445, including the destination charge.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee offered three engine options, depending on the trim level. The Latitude and Latitude Plus came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower. The 3.2-liter V-6 engine, available on higher trims, delivered 271 hp, while the top-tier 2.0-liter GMET4 turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 270 hp and 295 pound-feet of torque. Despite these options, none of the engines provided outstanding acceleration, with the V6 and turbo-four engines achieving 0-60 mph times of around 7.2 and 7.4 seconds, respectively. All Cherokee models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, which had proven to be a capable and fuel-efficient option. The Cherokee's off-road capabilities were notable, especially in the Trailhawk model, which featured Jeep Active Drive Lock and Selec-Speed Crawl Control. However, the availability of FWD in the Cherokee aimed to keep prices competitive, particularly for rental fleets.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 2.5 S came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The revised six-speed automatic transmission offered more responsive performance, and all CX-5s came standard with all-wheel drive (AWD). The EPA rated this powertrain at 26 mpg in combined driving. For those seeking more power, the CX-5 2.5 Turbo provided 256 hp and 320 pound-feet of torque on premium gas, or 227 hp and 310 pound-feet on regular gas. The Turbo also featured the revised six-speed automatic and standard AWD, with an EPA rating of 24 mpg in combined driving. The CX-5's driving dynamics were significantly improved, offering a quieter and smoother ride with reduced body roll and enhanced grip. The Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) system provided Normal, Sport, and Off-Road settings, further enhancing the driving experience. The 2022 CX-5's improved driving dynamics and added sense of solidity made it a compelling alternative to entry-level luxury SUVs.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee occupied a space between the smaller Renegade and the larger Grand Cherokee, competing with compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, it fell short in terms of utility, offering only 26 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 55 cubic feet with the seats folded, placing it at the bottom among compact SUVs. The Cherokee provided about 102 cubic feet of passenger volume, making it competitive in that metric. The interior layout was simple and businesslike, with the trim level significantly impacting the overall feel. The Latitude trim featured rubberized black plastic, while the Trailhawk offered suede seat inserts and contrasting stitching. The Latitude Lux trim added perforated Nappa leather upholstery for a more upscale appearance.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 addressed previous complaints about its ride and handling with new seats that offered improved comfort and support. The driving position was sportier, and all trims except the base 2.5 S included a height-adjustable front passenger seat. The 2.5 Turbo test vehicle featured leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The back seat remained snug but offered heated outboard cushions and air conditioning vents for added comfort. The control layout, while initially frustrating, became more intuitive over time. Storage space was adequate, with a small bin under the center armrest and wireless smartphone charging in a tray forward of the transmission shifter. The CX-5 provided 30.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 59.3 cubic feet with the seats folded, making it competitive with entry-level luxury SUVs but less impressive compared to mainstream compact crossovers.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee featured the Stellantis Uconnect infotainment system, available with either a 7-inch or 8.4-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim level. The system was praised for its user-friendly interface and minimal latency issues. The Cherokee supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though only via wired connections. Additional features included a 4G WiFi hotspot, Amazon Alexa integration, and remote start. The climate control interface was straightforward, with easy-to-use buttons and knobs for adjusting temperature settings.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 retained its Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display, which was not touch-sensitive. Mazda believed that touchscreens caused driver distraction, so the system relied on center console and steering wheel controls. While this approach required some acclimation, it eventually became intuitive. The system lacked natural voice recognition, making it less user-friendly compared to competitors. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, E911 automatic emergency notification, and Mazda Connected Services with a three-year trial subscription. The 2.5 S Premium trim and above included a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system, which performed well in the CX-5. SiriusXM satellite radio was also standard starting with this trim level.

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee did not earn a Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS but received top "Good" scores in every crashworthiness category and a G+ score for the ease of use of the LATCH child seat anchors. The Cherokee's headlights received mixed ratings, with upper trims rated "Acceptable" and lower trims rated "Marginal." The NHTSA awarded the Cherokee a four-star overall safety rating, with a slight demerit for front driver side crash protection. Standard safety features included lane departure warning, lane keep assist, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go was available only on the Limited and Trailhawk trims.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 came with a comprehensive i-Activsense package of driving assistance and collision avoidance systems, including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added adaptive headlights, a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, automatic rear braking, and a driver monitoring system. The top-of-the-line Signature trim also featured Traffic Jam Assist. The CX-5's i-Activsense system operated mostly in the background, making it more likely to be used. The head-up display showed blind-spot warnings, enhancing safety. The IIHS awarded the 2022 Mazda CX-5 a "Top Safety Pick+" rating, a distinction few rivals could match.