2021 Jeep Cherokee vs 2021 Toyota RAV4: A different approach

The Toyota RAV4 is the best-selling vehicle in its class. In North America, it ranks just behind the pickup trucks of American manufacturers. People love it and it sells like hotcakes. You'll understand that we're not going to tell you that it's a bad SUV. It would be dishonest to do so.

However, is it the best choice for you? The RAV4 may be popular and offer a good level of comfort, but it's not everything. And in that regard, a look at what the 2021 Jeep Cherokee offers makes us realize that in some respects, it offers features that are impossible to find in a Toyota.

Here are a few examples.

Towing

With an SUV, it's always handy to be able to tow whatever you feel like towing. Here, by far, the advantage goes to the Jeep model, because from the initial offer, the capacity reaches 2000 pounds. Then, when you decide to add the 3.2-litre V6 engine under the hood, it increases to 4,500 pounds, which is 1,000 pounds more than you can tow with the Trail version of the RAV4.

And that's another thorn in the side of Toyota's model; we absolutely have to go to a version to have a decent capacity. With the Cherokee, it's available across the lineup.

Off-road capabilities

The RAV4 may offer an all-wheel drive system, but it can't compete with Jeep's legendary system. Sure, it gets the job done on winter roads, but it doesn't really do anything. Once again, Toyota's Trail version is the only one that offers something a little more convincing. With the Cherokee, you don't have to break your head and for real excursions, you turn to the Trailhawk variant!

The configuration

Toyota's offer is interesting with the RAV4, but it is austere and pragmatic. With the Cherokee, you have a ton of choices, whether it's with variants, option packages, as well as with... colors. Yes, colors! In some cases, there are nine! The passion is there. Really, for a vehicle that stands out and can be customized to your taste, the Jeep Cherokee has no equal.

As you've just seen, the Jeep Cherokee doesn't really have anything to envy the Toyota RAV4. It doesn't try to imitate it, because it's inimitable.