Jeep Cherokee vs Lexus NX Hybrid

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid presented a bold and intricate design, characterized by its large spindle grille and squinting LED headlights. Its aggressive front end was complemented by a sporty yet understated profile, with smooth, rounded edges and body-coloured fender flares. The F Sport elements, including dark trim and 20-inch wheels, added to its sporty appeal, while the fastback roof shape echoed the style of coupe-like crossovers. Inside, the NX Hybrid combined a sporty aesthetic with modern technology, featuring a digital instrument cluster and a large touchscreen angled towards the driver. The interior boasted high-quality materials, such as dark graphite aluminum trim and Circuit Red synthetic leather upholstery, enhancing its upscale feel.

In contrast, the 2026 Jeep Cherokee adopted a more classic and less polarizing design, reminiscent of the 1980s and 1990s XJ Cherokee. Its boxy shape and seven-slot grille, however, appeared somewhat generic amidst the rugged look trend in crossovers. The rear-end design was more successful, blending an XJ-like profile with aerodynamic elements and distinctive taillights. The Cherokee's proportions were well-suited for a compact SUV, sharing its platform with other Stellantis models. The interior varied across trims, with higher trims offering leatherette seats and recycled materials. Despite the use of plastic, the Cherokee's interior exceeded expectations with its stylish design and practical controls.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid, specifically the NX 350h F Sport 3, was not as sporty as its name suggested. It featured adaptive dampers with Normal and Sport settings and a firmer suspension, but its handling was more controlled than agile. With 18.5 centimetres of ground clearance, the SUV leaned in corners and lacked quick weight transfer. The steering was weighty, firming up in Sport S and Sport S+ modes, but offered little feedback. The ride was firm yet comfortable, even with 20-inch wheels. The hybrid powertrain combined a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with three electric motors, delivering 240 horsepower and a 7.2-second 0 to 96 km/h time. Power delivery was smooth but not exhilarating, with a droning engine under hard acceleration.

The 2026 Jeep Cherokee's powertrain was a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a two-motor hybrid system, producing 210 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque. Its AWD system featured a clutch-based rear-axle disconnect for better fuel economy but lacked the capability of traditional 4WD systems. The Cherokee offered Selec-Terrain drive modes and impressive approach and departure angles, though off-road testing was limited. The hybrid system provided smooth power transitions, and the vehicle was quiet and comfortable. However, the steering had significant play, and regenerative braking was limited. Adjustments for steering settings were separate from drive modes, adding complexity.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid's F Sport 3 model offered well-bolstered front seats with ample room and power adjustments for comfort. Heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control enhanced comfort. The rear seats accommodated average-sized adults, with 950 mm of headroom and 917 mm of legroom. The cargo space was 643 litres behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,328 litres with seats folded, though less than some competitors due to the coupe-like roof shape.

The 2026 Jeep Cherokee provided comparable headroom and legroom to rivals, with comfortable seats despite limited forward visibility for shorter drivers. Power seats were available on higher trims, with heated front seats standard in Canada. Rear-seat headroom was similar to competitors, but legroom was less generous. Cargo space was 951 litres behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,934 litres with seats folded. The Cherokee's towing capacity of 1,587 kilograms was impressive. The dashboard maintained important analog controls, though some buttons were hard to find, and touch sensors for climate controls lacked feedback.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid came standard with a 9.8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A head-up display and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system were optional. The Remote Connect subscription provided remote starting and vehicle status alerts. The touchscreen was driver-oriented and responsive, with easy access to volume and temperature controls.

The 2026 Jeep Cherokee featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster with the Uconnect 5 system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless charging on higher trims. The system was stable and upgradable via OTA updates. However, the digital cluster's graphics were plain, and vehicle settings were split between the touchscreen and dashboard buttons. The native navigation system was laggy, and the audio system differences between trims were minimal.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid excelled in safety, earning the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and high marks in crash tests. It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, including blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. Optional features included automatic parking and a surround-view camera system. All systems performed well during testing.

The 2026 Jeep Cherokee offered standard driver assistance features like forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Active Driving Assist was also standard, with traffic sign recognition on the Overland model. A surround-view camera system was optional. Crash test ratings were unavailable at the time of writing.