Compare 2016 Jeep Cherokee vs 2016 Ford Escape

2016 Jeep Cherokee vs 2016 Ford Escape

Serving Harrison, AR, Mountain Home, and Branson

The Jeep Cherokee was the first vehicle to fully embrace the “sports utility vehicle” concept in the modern sense of the term. A generous list of features and strong sales helped the Cherokee establish the SUV market as it is today since its introduction for the 1984 model year. Since then, the Cherokee has faced great competition from subsequent entries—most notably the Ford Escape, which first appeared in 2000. For the 2016 model year, it may seem like the Escape is the sprightly upstart, while the Cherokee is long in the tooth. But looks can be deceiving. Indeed, in three areas, the 2016 Jeep Cherokee still asserts superiority. 

Performance

For one thing, the 2016 Jeep Cherokee has a well-established off-road pedigree. It traces its roots to the World War II era, when the United States used rugged vehicles suitable for rough and uneven terrain. And the 2016 Cherokee upholds this tradition, albeit in more public-friendly form. Available is the Jeep Active Drive I four-wheel drive system, which features a rear axle disconnect feature that only engages when necessary for improved traction and efficiency. The four driving modes that accompany the system—Auto, Snow, Sport, and Sand/Mud—ensure that the vehicle can handle just about any type of weather or road type and condition. Add that to all-wheel disc brakes with ABS, and the 2016 Cherokee is an off-road beast that is hard to beat, especially for a vehicle like the 2016 Escape, which drives more like a sedan than a true SUV in comparison.

Interior

Also, more so than the 2016 Ford Escape, critics are impressed by the accommodations of the 2016 Jeep Cherokee’s cabin. Infotainment is provided by the Uconnect system, which includes a touchscreen display and Bluetooth connectivity with hands-free calling. And not only are the second-row seats foldable (as they are traditionally), but the front passenger seat can be folded flat, thus providing maximum flexibility for carrying cargo. But for the very best that the Cherokee has to offer cabin-wise, go with the 75th Anniversary variant, which commemorates Jeep’s milestone with additional or unique features that include a dual-pane power moonroof, 6-way power adjustability on the driver’s seat with 4-way power lumbar support, a back-up camera, a one-year SiriusXM satellite radio subscription, and an 8.4-inch color display (in place of the standard 5-inch).

Safety

Lastly—and perhaps most importantly—the 2016 Jeep Cherokee is generally a safer vehicle than the 2016 Ford Escape. For its performance in the small front overlap portion of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS’s) crashworthiness test, the new Cherokee has a satisfactory rating of “Marginal,” while the new Escape has a significantly lower rating of “Poor.” That means that the Cherokee provides a higher level of frontal crash protection than its Ford counterpart. Similarly, the Jeep has a rating of “Acceptable” for the ease of use of its rear-seat child seat anchor system, while the Ford is ranked lower at “Marginal.” Moreover, in terms of frontal crash prevention, the IIHS rates Jeep SUV at “Superior” with optional safety equipment: the highest rating possible. The Escape, however, has no rating at all, which makes it difficult to gauge its effectiveness in front crash prevention.

*Based on 2016 EPA mileage/highway estimates and driving range ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your MPGe/MPG and driving range will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, battery age/condition, and other factors. For additional information about EPA ratings, visit //www.fueleconomy.gov