2022 Cherokee vs the Honda CR-V: Battle of the Compact SUVs

When looking at used SUVs, you've got a lot of options available to you, which can make it tricky to narrow things down and find everything you want. Even if you limit your options to a certain class, like looking at compact SUVs, there are still many different models that you need to consider and ultimately choose from. If you're trying to decide between a used Jeep Cherokee for sale and a Honda CR-V, then you're in luck because we're here to help. Both of these vehicles have been around a long time, so we're going to make things easier by focusing on a specific model year that gives us a good sense of what you'll find when looking at used options for these two SUVs. When we check out the 2022 Jeep Cherokee compared to the 2022 Honda CR-V, it quickly becomes clear that Jeep gives you a lot more to enjoy.

Superior Performance With the Jeep Cherokee

You might not be after insane performance from your next compact SUV, which is understandable—this isn't a sports car or full-size truck, after all. But you still deserve something that feels great on the road, and that's fun to drive each day. It doesn't matter if you're just picking up your kids from school or getting to work in the morning; a great driving experience affects your entire day. That's why we love the impressive power and performance that you can get with a used Cherokee, which far surpasses what Honda offers for the CR-V.

Both of these compact SUVs give you two available engines that you can find when looking at used models, which makes them easy to compare. The 2022 Jeep Cherokee starts off with a 3.2L Pentastar V6 engine that provides 271 hp and 239 lb-ft of torque, which is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. A weaker standard engine was previously available, but Jeep dropped it for the 2022 model year. If you want something with more oomph under the hood, then look for a Cherokee with the available 2.0L turbocharged I-4 engine that delivers 270 hp and an impressive 295 lb-ft of torque. Both engines ensure the Cherokee is fun to drive, but we won't deny that we prefer that turbocharged beauty.

Looking at the 2022 Honda CR-V, the standard engine is a 1.5L I-4 that offers just 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque, falling well short of the Jeep's standard engine. Fortunately, Honda has a second engine available that's much better: a 2.0L I-4 hybrid that provides 212 hp and 232 lb-ft of torque. You can see this is the clear winner for the CR-V, but it falls well short of even the standard engine for the 2022 Cherokee. Once you're looking at the turbocharged engine for the Jeep, it starts feeling like a particularly unfair comparison. Honda is well known for impressive performance, but the CR-V can't keep up with Jeep's engines.

Greater Towing to Get More Done

Horsepower and torque are important in and of themselves since they affect the kind of time you have on the road each day, but they don't exist in a vacuum. Even a compact SUV like these two models can help you do more than simply get from one place to another; both of these vehicles have towing capabilities designed to haul some weight behind you. They're not going to compete with a full-size truck, but the right compact SUV can still work well for light trailering. With the rather meager performance of the CR-V's engines, it's no surprise that it tops out at just 1,500 lbs of towing; that's better than nothing, but certainly not impressive. With its more powerful engines, the Jeep Cherokee can handle up to 4,500 lbs of max towing when properly equipped, giving you a small SUV that can pull some big weight behind it. This is perfect if you have a small camper you like to take with you on weekend getaways or a light boat.

Better Tech Features Inside the Cherokee

What can enhance your daily drive even more than bold performance are the kinds of features you're surrounded by every time you get into your vehicle. Some people might expect Honda to excel in this area, but the CR-V actually falls far behind the Jeep Cherokee. Looking at the 2022 CR-V, its standard features include a small, five-inch multimedia screen, a four-speaker sound system, and little else to mention. Fortunately, there are upgrades like a nine-speaker sound system to be found on higher trims such as the CR-V Touring, but you're still limited to an available seven-inch infotainment display.

Looking at the 2022 Jeep Cherokee, you'll find a lot of great standard tech features that go well beyond what Honda offers for the CR-V. For one thing, an impressive 8.4-inch infotainment screen is standard in every Cherokee, which is larger even than the available screen in select CR-V models. While a small 3.5-inch display for the driver is standard in the 2022 Cherokee, the Latitude Lux trim upgrades that to a seven-inch screen. Looking at the highest Limited trim, you get dual-zone automatic temperature control, a nine-speaker Alpine Premium sound system with a subwoofer, and more to enjoy as you drive each day.

Jeep Lets You Leave the Road Behind

If you're interested in a compact SUV that's great for heading off-road or going camping on the weekend, it should come as no surprise that Jeep is the way to go. In particular, you'll want to look for a Cherokee Trailhawk model, which features a Jeep Active Drive lock, a two-speed four-wheel drive (4x4) system that's perfect for rough terrain. The Trailhawk comes with a Selec-Terrain Traction Management System with five traction control settings, including a Rock Mode, making it perfect for unpredictable situations where you need to be able to adapt on the fly to what you encounter on the trail. You also get an off-road suspension with a one-inch raised ride height and skid plates to protect the underside of the Trailhawk. With nearly nine inches of ground clearance and 20 inches of water fording capability, this is a small SUV that's ready to take you anywhere you want to go.

The 2022 Honda CR-V is, sadly, lacking in these kinds of off-road features and doesn't have an adventurous and rugged trim like the Trailhawk. Real Time all-wheel drive (AWD) with an Intelligent Control System is available for the CR-V, which is nice and provides some added traction in rough situations, but we much prefer the impressive 4x4 system of the Cherokee Trailhawk. Higher trims for the CR-V add things like heated seating, a power moonroof, and a better sound system (as we've seen already), but lack any real upgrades to the capabilities you want in an SUV that you plan to drive on anything other than paved roads. Of course, neither of these models can keep up with something like a used Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, but that's in a league of its own for off-road performance.

Find Everything You Want With a Used Jeep Cherokee

No matter what you're looking for in a used compact SUV, you can see that the Jeep Cherokee is ready to deliver. With a 2022 Cherokee, you can find powerful engines, remarkable towing potential, great interior details, advanced technology, and the ability to leave city life behind while keeping you in control. We didn't even look at the comfortable seating and innovative safety features you can find on the Cherokee, ensuring you have the perfect SUV for your daily routine and much more. If you're ready to see everything a used Cherokee can do, then we're here at Automax Truck And Car Center to help you find what you've been looking for.