Compare repair costs, reliability, and owner reviews
Ford Escape
$600
Average Annual
Repair Cost
Jeep Cherokee
$520
Average Annual
Repair Cost
Overall Reliability Rating
4
Above Average
The Ford Escape Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 16th out of 26 for compact SUVs. The average annual repair cost is $600 which means it has average ownership costs. The severity of repairs is average, and major issues are less frequent than average, so major repairs are not common for the Escape.
4
Excellent
The Jeep Cherokee Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 9th out of 26 for compact SUVs. The average annual repair cost is $520 which means it has lower than average ownership costs. The severity of repairs is average and the frequency of those issues is low, so major repairs are uncommon for the Cherokee.
The Ford Escape ranks highest in safety and ranks lowest in value.
“Best vehicle I ever owned. Road noise is an issue, later models adjusted for that. Only issues were idle control valve (needed replacement, used to be listed as a common problem on this site);...”
“Best vehicle I ever owned. Road noise is an issue, later models adjusted for that. Only issues...”
The Jeep Cherokee ranks highest in value and ranks lowest in fuel economy.
“Bought my 1990 Jeep Cherokee Laredo new, it will be 21 years old in May, 2011. What a fantastic vehicle this has been. True, I don't drive a lot compared to most people, and the vehicle has been...”
“Bought my 1990 Jeep Cherokee Laredo new, it will be 21 years old in May, 2011. What a fantastic...”
The Ford Escape and the Jeep Cherokee are both compact, two-row SUVs. Both come with front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive.
The Escape and the Cherokee offer comparable amounts of performance from their standard and optional engines. The Ford Escape’s standard engine has 168 horsepower, with options up to 245 horsepower. The Jeep Cherokee has a standard engine with 180 horsepower, with options up to 271 horsepower.
Comparing cargo space, the Escape definitely has the edge with its 66.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Cherokee is less space-efficient, with just 54.9 cubic feet.
If you need serious off-road abilities, then the Jeep Cherokee stands alone. It has been designed to excel when the pavement ends. The Cherokee Trailhawk model is specially equipped to go places most SUVs will not even attempt. There is no comparison.
So if you need a spacious SUV that will spend most of its time on the road, the Ford Escape will do the job. But if mountain trails and desert tracks beckon, then the Jeep Cherokee is the logical choice.