2026 Jeep Cherokee vs 2026 Lexus NX

The NX is the compact crossover SUV of the Lexus lineup. It sits between the Lexus UX and Lexus RX in size and price, and it competes with small luxury crossovers like the Acura RDX, Audi Q5, BMW X3, Genesis GV70, Mercedes-Benz GLC, and Volvo XC60. This second-generation version arrived for the 2022 model year and receives minimal updates for 2026. The previously offered NX 250 base model is gone, but Lexus made some changes to the lineup to make the hybrid and plug-in hybrid NX models more affordable. The Lexus NX is assembled in Canada at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada in Cambridge, Ontario.

Verdict: The NX offers good value in hybrid form, but it otherwise doesn’t feel like a true luxury vehicle.

The Jeep Cherokee returns for the 2026 model year after a two-year hiatus. It’s once again a compact crossover SUV aimed at popular models such as the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4, but it features more traditional styling than its predecessor. That’s not the only thing about the Cherokee that got a major rethink. This is also the first Cherokee — and the only current North American-market Jeep — with a hybrid powertrain.

Verdict: The redesigned Cherokee successfully merges traditional Jeep styling with the winning template for mainstream crossover SUVs.