2017 Jeep Cherokee vs 2017 Honda CR-V
Posted on March 10, 2020
It's getting increasingly difficult to choose a compact crossover these days as there are just so many good ones out there. Here we're going to compare tow that are very good but very different, the 2017 Jeep Cherokee and 2017 Honda CR-V, to see which one is the better mid-size SUV buy.
Styling
While the popular Renegade has a somewhat heritage Jeep look about it, the Jeep Cherokee is an altogether more contemporary design that marked a clean break from the brand's past when it was new in 2014. The squinting headlights and the seven-slat grille deliver a very distinctive look to the front of the Jeep, which is thoroughly modern to the point of almost being futuristic. The designers have tried to make the Honda CR-V more attractive recently, and they have managed it. However, it wasn't difficult as it's always been an awkward-looking model that has never been pretty and still isn't a great beauty by any means. First blood definitely goes to the Jeep.
Engines
There are two engines in the Jeep Cherokee range, which are the standard 2.4-litre Tigershark MultiAir inline four and a 3.2-litre Pentastar V-6 with stop/start technology. The smaller of the two units produces 184 horsepower and 171 lb.-ft. of torque, while the V-6 really ups the power ante with an impressive 271 horsepower and 239 lb.-ft. All models and both engines get Jeep's advanced nine-speed automatic transmission. There's just a single powerplant in the CR-V, which is a 1.5-litre turbo-four developing 190 horsepower and 179 lb.-ft., which is a long way short of what's on offer from the Jeep.
Capability
It depends what you want from your crossover as to how capable it needs to be. But if you want to do more than trundle around the city or handle the daily commute, the Cherokee has plenty in reserve. When properly equipped, the Cherokee can tow up to 907 kg with the base engine or an impressive 2,041 kg with the V-6, which are best-in-class numbers in this segment of the market. That's just the start of it though, as the Cherokee more than lives up to its Jeep reputation for off-road capability. It can do all the day-to-day duties of school runs and trips to the mall, but when the going gets tough the Cherokee's various four-wheel drive systems can take it all in their stride.
The most you can tow with the CR-V is a very modest 680 kg, and although the all-wheel drive system is an advanced one, it's very much designed for bad weather driving on the road than anything serious off-road. When it comes to capability, the Cherokee is way out in front.
Fuel economy
The standard four-cylinder obviously delivers the best fuel-economy ratings for the Jeep, which are 11.0 L/100 km in the city and 7.8 L/100 km on the highway. But the V-6 and all-wheel drive isn't bad by comparison with 12.9 L/100 km in the city and 9.9 L/100 km on the highway. Front-wheel drive CR-Vs are the winners though, with 8.4 L/100 km in the city and 7.0 L/100 km on the highway. And adding all-wheel drive makes only a tiny difference.
Verdict
The CR-V has stellar sales figures that tell you Honda is doing something very right with this model. But the Honda is competent and safe while the Jeep is fun and exciting, and the Cherokee has more power and capability and is also better looking than the CR-V. And that's why it's not difficult to admit we'd always go for the Cherokee.
The 2017 Jeep Cherokee is available now from Caledon Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, so get in touch today for more information and to arrange a test drive.