Compare the2026 Mazda CX-30VS 2026 Jeep Cherokee

The Mazda CX-30 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Cherokee doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The CX-30 has standard Whiplash-Reducing Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Cherokee doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the CX-30 and the Cherokee have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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 and available around view monitors.

The Mazda CX-30 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.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda third in reliability, above the industry average. With 114 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jeep is ranked 33rd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 13 places higher in reliability than Jeep.

The CX-30’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 40 more horsepower (250 vs. 210) and 90 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 230) than the Cherokee’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CX-30 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The Cherokee doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

For better maneuverability, the CX-30’s turning circle is 5.5 feet tighter than the Cherokee’s (34.8 feet vs. 40.3 feet).

The Mazda CX-30 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 750 to 900 pounds less than the Jeep Cherokee.

The CX-30 is 1 foot, 3.1 inches shorter than the Cherokee, making the CX-30 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The CX-30 Premium/Turbo Aire has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts 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 CX-30’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Cherokee’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-30 Premium/Turbo Aire has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Cherokee doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda CX-30, based on reliability, safety and performance.