Compare the2026 Hyundai TucsonVS 2026 Jeep Cherokee

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Hyundai Tucson achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Jeep Cherokee has not been tested.

Both the Tucson and the Cherokee have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Hyundai Tucson has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Cherokee has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

The Tucson comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Cherokee’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Tucson 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Jeep covers the Cherokee. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Cherokee ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Tucson’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Cherokee’s (7 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is ranked 11th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Jeep With 53 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Hyundai higher than Jeep.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 9 places higher in reliability than Jeep.

For better traction, the Tucson has larger tires than the Cherokee (235/65R17 vs. 225/65R17).

The Tucson’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Cherokee doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better maneuverability, the Tucson’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the Cherokee’s (38.6 feet vs. 40.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Tucson has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Cherokee (8.3 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Tucson to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Hyundai Tucson may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 850 pounds less than the Jeep Cherokee.

The Tucson is 5.4 inches shorter than the Cherokee, making the Tucson easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Tucson has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Cherokee with its rear seat up (38.7 vs. 33.6 cubic feet). The Tucson has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Cherokee with its rear seat folded (74.8 vs. 68.3 cubic feet).

The Tucson Limited has a standard heads-up display that projects speed in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Cherokee doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Tucson Limited’s Remote Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Park Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Cherokee Overland’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park and it doesn’t offer remote control parking.

The Tucson is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Cherokee doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Tucson, based on reliability, safety and performance.