Compare the2026 Mazda CX-50VS 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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With its standard Smart Brake Support, the Mazda CX-50 is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Jeep Grand Cherokee, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	CX-50	Grand Cherokee
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	AVOIDED	-11 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-33 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	2.4 sec	2 sec
37 MPH Low beams	-35 MPH	-28 MPH
Warning Issued-Low beams	1.8 sec	1.6 sec

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Mazda CX-50 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 Grand Cherokee has not been tested.

The CX-50 has standard Secondary Collision Reduction System, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Grand Cherokee doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-50. But it costs extra on the Grand Cherokee.

Both the CX-50 and Grand Cherokee have rear cross-traffic warning, but the CX-50 Turbo Premium Plus has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Grand Cherokee’s Rear Cross Path Detection doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the CX-50 and the Grand Cherokee have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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 and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mazda CX-50 is safer than the Jeep Grand Cherokee:

	CX-50	Grand Cherokee
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	100	129
Neck Compression	11 lbs.	84 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	222/219 lbs.	482/259 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	22%	28%
Neck Stress	106 lbs.	125 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	264/347 lbs.	400/347 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the CX-50 is much safer than the Grand Cherokee:

	CX-50	Grand Cherokee
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	148	252
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	90/202 pounds	180/360 pounds
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	90/202 pounds	180/360 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	POOR
Chest Rating	GOOD	POOR
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mazda CX-50 is safer than the Jeep Grand Cherokee:

	CX-50	Grand Cherokee
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	35	87
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.8 inches
Abdominal Force	144 lbs.	192 lbs.
Hip Force	114 lbs.	235 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	67	164
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	39 G’s
Hip Force	499 lbs.	527 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	14 inches
HIC	214	458
Spine Acceleration	28 G’s	41 G’s
Hip Force	521 lbs.	528 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Mazda CX-50 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2026 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, a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention test. The Grand Cherokee is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2026.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the CX-50’s reliability 12 points higher than the Grand Cherokee.

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 2026 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Jeep vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 10 places higher in reliability than Jeep.

Engine

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-50 turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Grand Cherokee Laredo 3.6 DOHC V6:

	CX-50	Grand Cherokee
Zero to 60 MPH	7 sec	7.3 sec
Quarter Mile	15.4 sec	15.5 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the CX-50 gets better mileage than the Grand Cherokee:

			MPG
CX-50
	AWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	39 city/37 hwy
		2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/30 hwy
		2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/29 hwy
Grand Cherokee
	RWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/27 hwy
		3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/26 hwy
		3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CX-50 (except Turbo/Hybrid)’s fuel efficiency. The Grand Cherokee doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the CX-50 Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Grand Cherokee doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The CX-50 has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Grand Cherokee. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Transmission

The CX-50 has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Grand Cherokee doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The CX-50 stops much shorter than the Grand Cherokee:

	CX-50	Grand Cherokee
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	142 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	142 feet	145 feet	Consumer Reports

Suspension and Handling

The CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus handles at .84 G’s, while the Grand Cherokee Limited 4x4 pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the Grand Cherokee Limited 4x4 (26.8 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CX-50 Hybrid’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the Grand Cherokee’s (35.4 feet vs. 38 feet). The CX-50’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Grand Cherokee’s (36 feet vs. 38 feet).

Chassis

The Mazda CX-50 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 1500 pounds less than the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The CX-50 is 7.7 inches shorter than the Grand Cherokee, making the CX-50 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The CX-50 4x4 is 7.3 inches shorter in height than the Grand Cherokee, making the CX-50 much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Passenger Space

The CX-50 has .4 inches more front legroom and 1.6 inches more rear legroom than the Grand Cherokee.

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CX-50 easier. The CX-50’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.4 inches, while the Grand Cherokee’s liftover is 33 inches.

The CX-50’s cargo area is larger than the Grand Cherokee’s in almost every dimension:

	CX-50	Grand Cherokee
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	42.6”/75.4”	41”/73.8”
Max Width	55.6”	55”
Min Width	40.2”	43”
Height	30.2”	32”

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the CX-50’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Grand Cherokee doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Ergonomics

The CX-50’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 Grand Cherokee’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The CX-50’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Grand Cherokee’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Consumer Reports rated the CX-50’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Grand Cherokee’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

The Grand Cherokee Summit’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The CX-50 Turbo/Hybrid Premium Plus’ standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mazda CX-50 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Grand Cherokee Laredo X/Altitude/Limited/Summit offers wireless charging.

Economic Advantages

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Mazda CX-50 retains 56.52% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 47.26% resale value of the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee after five years, which can save the Mazda’s owner up to $5985 in depreciation.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda CX-50, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Jeep Grand Cherokee isn't recommended.

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