2019 Jeep Cherokee Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byWill KaufmanSenior Editor and Content Strategist, CarMax

　　Will Kaufman has worked in the automotive industry since 2017. He has written hundreds of car-related articles and reviews over the course of his career. Will is a senior editor and content strategist for CarMax at zzdcar. Will has been featured in the Associated Press and a number of major outlets on the topics of infotainment and vehicle data, vehicle subscription services and autonomous vehicles. Will started his career in online publishing by writing and editing standardized test guides, but he has a lot more fun writing about cars.

　　

What's new

New exterior lookNew optional turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinderUpgraded standard infotainment systemPart of the second Cherokee generation introduced for 2014

　　If you want a small SUV that can tow or go off-road, the 2019 Jeep Cherokee is worth a look. Thankfully, that look will be much more pleasant this year, too. Jeep has given the exterior styling a much-needed refresh and included some upgrades in the cabin and under the hood.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Jeep Cherokee Latitude 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$146/mo  for Cherokee Latitude

　　Cherokee Latitude

　　Latitude 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A) - $25,045 MSRPLatitude 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A) - $26,545 MSRPLatitude Plus 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A) - $27,395 MSRPLatitude Plus 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A) - $28,895 MSRPAltitude 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A) - $28,390 MSRPAltitude 4dr SUV 4WD (2.4L 4cyl 9A) - $29,890 MSRPUpland 4dr SUV 4WD (3.2L 6cyl 9A) - $29,725 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A) - $31,450 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV 4WD (3.2L 6cyl 9A) (Most Popular) - $34,695 MSRPTrailhawk 4dr SUV 4WD (3.2L 6cyl 9A) - $34,195 MSRPHigh Altitude 4dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 9A) - $34,990 MSRPHigh Altitude 4dr SUV 4WD (3.2L 6cyl 9A) - $36,490 MSRPOverland 4dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 9A) - $36,995 MSRPOverland 4dr SUV 4WD (3.2L 6cyl 9A) - $38,495 MSRPTrailhawk Elite 4dr SUV 4WD (3.2L 6cyl 9A) - $37,390 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　Beyond the obvious changes to the Cherokee's sheet metal, Jeep has added a few nice interior upgrades, such as a storage bin for phones in the center console and a few upgraded trim options. There's also a new optional turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that's more powerful than the Cherokee's base four-cylinder and more fuel-efficient than the optional V6 engine. You can read more about it in our 2019 Jeep Cherokee First Drive.

　　The Cherokee still doesn't offer as much cargo capacity as rivals, and even with the new 2.0-liter engine, fuel economy falls a little short of class leaders. The ever-practical Honda CR-V remains an easy choice for buyers who don't need the Cherokee's particular strengths thanks to its exceptional cargo space and efficiency. If you're going to be spending most of your time on the road, the Mazda CX-5 both feels more upscale inside and is more engaging to drive.

　　Overall, though, the Cherokee's off-road and towing capabilities along with its 2019 improvements make it a solid choice for a small SUV.

　　

What's it like to live with?

zzdcar' editorial team acquired and lived with a 2019 Jeep Cherokee First Drive, putting 22,000 miles on the odometer. We tested the Cherokee's off-road capability, on-road comfort, cargo space and more. There are some differences between the 2014 and 2019 worth noting — the 2019 model received a styling refresh and some interior updates and added an optional turbocharged four-cylinder engine. But the 2019 is in the same generation as our test Cherokee, so many of our observations still apply.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

7.8 / 10

　　If you want a small SUV that can tow or go off-road, the 2019 Jeep Cherokee is worth a look. Thankfully, that look will be much more pleasant this year, too. Jeep has given the exterior styling a much-needed refresh and included some upgrades in the cabin and under the hood.

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2019 Jeep Cherokee (3.2-liter V6 | 9-speed automatic | 4WD).

　　

Scorecard

Overall	7.8 / 10
Driving	7.5
Comfort	7.5
Interior	8.0
Utility	8.0
Technology	8.5

　　

Driving

7.5

　　We're pleasantly surprised by how well this Jeep steers and handles on the pavement, given the brand's association with off-road prowess. The V6 in our test vehicle pulls strongly when called upon but lacks low-end response. A new turbo 2.0-liter engine is offered, which outperforms the V6.

　　

Acceleration

7.5

　　This V6-powered Cherokee has decent top-end punch but is lackluster off the line. Its nine-speed transmission's sluggish responses are partly to blame. The Cherokee fails to match the top Ford Escape and is just slightly quicker than the Honda CR-V, both of which have smaller turbo four-cylinders.

　　

Braking

7.5

　　The pedal has a good amount of effort and response, making it easy and predictable to stop smoothly in everyday driving. It needed 128 feet to stop from 60 mph — marginally better than average for the class — but showed good stability under hard braking.

　　

Steering

8.0

　　The steering is nicely weighted, feels direct, and even transmits some of the road texture to the driver. Bigger bumps are nicely filtered out. It's well-balanced all around, and there's a good sense of center when driving on the highway, so you're never chasing the wheel when going straight.

　　

Handling

8.5

　　Handling is unexpectedly sporty. Despite its 4,000-pound curb weight, low-rolling-resistance tires and higher center of gravity, the Cherokee handles better than some sedans. Its body motions feel well-controlled with not a lot of body roll, even at higher speeds.

　　

Drivability

7.0

　　Most people will find this nine-speed gearbox's shift quality agreeable and much improved over earlier efforts. It's slow to respond when attempting three-point turns, though. The stop-start system isn't too intrusive. Sport mode holds lower gears and turns traction control off — odd but cool.

　　

Off-road

7.5

　　Jeep Active Drive II is available on Latitude and includes 4-Low mode, increases ride height by an inch, and has a crawl ratio of 48.3:1 when equipped with the V6 engine. For real off-road ability, check out the Cherokee Trailhawk — it's one of the most capable in the class.

　　

Comfort

7.5

　　The Cherokee does a fine job of softening harsh roads, but it's less adept at controlling the ups and downs of smoother undulating roads. We found the seats to be comfortable even if they don't provide a lot of lateral support. The climate control system is both effective and easy to use.

　　

Seat comfort

7.5

　　The seats have soft cushions, which helps make up for relatively flat bottom cushions, and the center sections have breathable upholstery. There's a decent amount of padding on both inboard and outboard armrests. Lateral support is on the meek side, which is forgivable for an SUV.

　　

Ride comfort

8.0

　　The Cherokee's ride is pleasant. It's not a luxurious experience, but the suspension effectively filters out sharper road imperfections. Deep undulations reveal a lack of damping — the car takes its time before settling — but it still provides a pretty nice compromise between compliance and control.

　　

Noise & vibration

7.0

　　There's an average amount of road and ambient noise that penetrates the cabin, and some wind noise as well. It's not particularly distracting, but we wouldn't call it quiet. We experienced no real interior creeks or rattles during our time with the car.

　　

Climate control

8.0

　　The system maintains temperature well, and the controls are easy to locate and adjust. Some functions such as the seat- and steering-wheel heaters are located in the touchscreen, requiring an extra step but pop up immediately when you start the car — a nice touch. Seat heaters get toasty quickly, too.

　　

Interior

8.0

　　The high-mounted cabin is easy to climb into and see out of, and there's ample headroom. Backseat passengers will appreciate the generous legroom. However, those who struggle to see small type might want to upgrade to the larger infotainment screen.

　　

Ease of use

7.5

　　This Jeep is not only easy to use, but it's also easy to figure out thanks to a straightforward Uconnect system and large, easy-to-wield knobs and buttons. The touchscreen is small compared to many others available, and it could be a challenge for those who rely on large screen text.

　　

Getting in/getting out

8.0

　　Entry/exit is aided by large-ish door openings and seats that are at an ideal height for slipping in. There is a moderate stepover, but anybody buying an SUV should expect as much. People with longer torsos will have to duck under the roof rail but will find plenty of headroom once inside.

　　

Driving position

8.5

　　There is a generous amount of seat height adjustment, which should suit a wide range of driver types. The fore-aft slide adjustment range is also good and accommodates long-legged drivers. The steering column has an adequate reach-and-tilt range, and the armrests are set at a comfortable height.

　　

Roominess

8.0

　　There's plenty of space to stretch out in front with seats that are suitable for larger frames. Sitting behind a 5-foot-9 driver, a person of the same size will find more than enough legroom and ample headroom. The middle seat cushion is on the firm side as is typical but could fit an adult passenger if needed.

　　

Visibility

8.0

　　Visibility is good all around. The view straight back is free of obstructions, and the generous glass — including the small window at each rear flank — also helps to minimize blind spots. You can turn on the rearview camera manually and have it stay on for a few seconds, even if you're at speed.

　　

Quality

7.5

　　There are nicer cabins out there, but the Cherokee's isn't unappealing. All control knobs have soft detents and rubberized knurling, which makes for easy and pleasant adjustment. Some may say the hard plastic trim has a ruggedness to it, but frankly it looks a bit cheap compared to materials in segment leaders.

　　

Utility

8.0

　　Despite the trunk's small volume dimensions, its layout is clever and useful. There's a good variety of cabin storage options for common items. For those who tow trailers, an optional tow package increases the Cherokee's capacity to a useful 4,500 pounds.

　　

Small-item storage

8.0

　　There's a decent amount of miscellaneous storage throughout the cabin — a couple of nooks designed for smartphones, a dual-level armrest bin, a deep glovebox, and door pockets that can hold larger water bottles. A bonus compartment is located on top of the dash, and the standard sunglass spot is overhead.

　　

Cargo space

7.5

　　The adjustable load floor is handy — it can be level with the folded rear seats or dropped down for more space. Liftover height is manageable, and there's plenty of usable space despite a somewhat intrusive suspension. Its 24.6 cubic feet makes it one of the smallest trunks in the segment.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

8.0

　　Isofix anchors are clearly marked and easy to access between the rear seatback and the bottom cushion. Likewise, the rear tethers are also easy to access on the back of the seats. Good rear legroom means rear-facing seats have a better chance of fitting.

　　

Towing

5.0

　　Properly equipped, the Cherokee can tow up to 4,500 pounds, which is best in class. The tow package includes seven- and four-pin wiring harnesses, auxiliary transmission cooler, a Class III hitch, a full-size spare, heavy-duty engine cooling and trailer wiring. It also requires one of the two engine upgrades.

　　

Technology

8.5

　　The array of technology in the Cherokee is impressive. Many of the advanced driver aids are optional, however, and the standard infotainment screen is small by modern standards. The upgraded audio system delivers great sound, and there are lots of ways to keep many mobile devices charged.

　　

Audio & navigation

8.0

　　There's no native nav, but the nine-speaker audio upgrade is quite good. Three speakers across the dash produce distortion-free tunes and create a proper surround-sound environment, even at the max tone settings. The touchscreen is small, but the graphics and interface are sharp and responsive.

　　

Smartphone integration

8.5

　　Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and the interface is nice, even if the icons are on the small side. There are two front-cabin USB ports — one in front of the shifter and one inside the glovebox — as well as two 12-volt sockets and an auxiliary outlet. In back there's a 115-volt socket and two additional USBs.

　　

Driver aids

7.5

　　Not a lot of driver aids are offered, but on the ones it has, such as blind-spot monitoring, the alerts can be configured to be audible or visual only. The manual camera activation is a nice touch, too. Adaptive cruise or lane keeping assist is available on higher trims.

　　

Voice control

8.5

　　The menu is pretty straightforward, providing prompts that are helpful in guiding you through available commands. You can make calls, tune to a radio station, and even set the climate control system all through voice commands. A longer hold will call up Siri if you have your phone plugged in.

　　

Which Cherokee does zzdcar recommend?

　　The best reason to buy the Cherokee is because you want a small SUV that can go off-road, so we recommend the Trailhawk for its exclusive features and surprising capability. It also looks cool. But if off-roading isn't your thing, the Limited offers a nice feature set for the price, and access to more options. We highly recommend the new 2.0-liter turbo engine, which is more fuel-efficient than the lackluster base 2.4-liter engine, and delivers near-V6 horsepower and towing capacity. We think buyers who plan on serious towing should still opt for the V6 with the towing package, though.

　　

2019 Jeep Cherokee models

　　The 2019 Jeep Cherokee is a small crossover SUV offered in five main trim levels. The Latitude is the base trim, and the Latitude Plus adds premium equipment, but you have to go up to the Limited and off-road-focused Trailhawk trims to get standard safety equipment. Finally, the top-of-the-line Overland comes with all the interior and exterior amenities.

　　Standard on the 2019 Jeep Cherokee is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 180 horsepower and 171 lb-ft of torque. You can also get an optional 3.2-liter V6 that makes 271 hp and 239 lb-ft of torque or a 2.0-liter turbo that makes 270 hp and 295 lb-ft. A nine-speed automatic transmission is standard with all engines. The Latitude, Limited and Overland are available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, while the Trailhawk comes standard with all-wheel drive.

　　Standard equipment highlights for the Latitude include 17-inch wheels, automatic xenon headlights, heated side mirrors, height-adjustable front seats, 60/40-split folding rear seatback, a folding front passenger seat with a storage compartment inside the seat cushion, Bluetooth, a rearview camera, a USB port, a new 7-inch touchscreen interface and a six-speaker audio system. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration is standard across the range for 2019. There's also a variant for 4WD models called the Upland, which adds black exterior trim and all-terrain tires.

　　The Latitude Plus trim adds keyless ignition and entry, leather inserts in the upholstery, a power-adjustable driver's seat, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. Satellite radio is standard as are two extra USB ports. The Altitude variant includes 18-inch wheels and gloss-black exterior trim.

　　The Latitude Plus has one notable package available, the Comfort and Convenience package, which adds features such as an auxiliary household power outlet, dual-zone climate control, a power liftgate, auto-dimming rearview mirror, remote start, and a universal garage door opener.

　　The Limited trim includes the Latitude's Comfort and Convenience package, and also adds 18-inch wheels, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, a power front passenger seat, leather upholstery, an upgraded driver information display in the gauge cluster, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, and an 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The High Altitude version adds 19-inch wheels, body-colored body accents, dark gray exterior trim and a navigation system.

　　These three trim levels all come standard with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder. The turbocharged 2.0-liter and V6 engines are available as an upgrade for the Latitude Plus and Limited trims.

　　The range-topping Overland comes standard with the V6, with the option to add the 2.0-liter, and has its own 18-inch wheels, unique body-colored exterior trim, cornering lights, sound-deadening windshield and front windows, driver-seat memory functions, a leather-wrapped instrument panel, wood steering-wheel inserts, upgraded leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable passenger seat, sliding rear seat, a nine-speaker audio system, a navigation system and HD radio.

　　The nine-speaker stereo and sunroof are available as standard features in lower trim levels.

　　The off-road-themed Trailhawk comes with an advanced all-wheel-drive system (Active Drive II with Active Drive Lock) and also boasts slightly wider 17-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, increased ground clearance, off-road-oriented suspension tuning, a locking rear differential, hill ascent and descent control, skid plates, tow hooks, unique exterior trim, and unique cloth and leather upholstery. Its equipment otherwise largely mirrors the Limited trim level's equipment, though it lacks the power liftgate, remote start, and auto-dimming rearview mirror. These are part of the Trailhawk Comfort and Convenience package. As on the Overland, the V6 is standard while the 2.0-liter is optional. Navigation is available for both the Limited and the Trailhawk. The Trailhawk Elite adds most of the Overland's features.

　　The more advanced Active Drive II AWD system from the Trailhawk is available as an optional extra on AWD-equipped Latitude Plus, Limited and Overland Cherokees.

　　Many of the higher trims' features are available on lower trims via optional packages or as stand-alone extras. If you're planning on towing, equip your Latitude Plus, Limited or Trailhawk trim with a Trailer Tow group package. This package includes a stand-alone transmission cooler, Class III hitch, trailer wiring harness for both four- and seven-pin systems, as well as a full-size spare. V6-equipped models also receive additional engine cooling.

　　Jeep also offers the Technology group package on the Limited, Trailhawk and Overland trims. Included in this safety-oriented package is forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, traffic-adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, automatic wipers, auto high-beam headlights, and an automatic parking system that works on both parallel and perpendicular spots.

　　zzdcar Latest Jeep Cherokee News

　　You Can Now Order a 2-Door Jeep Wrangler With 35-Inch Tires

　　

2019 Cherokee Highlights

Trim: LatitudeLatitude PlusAltitudeUplandLimitedTrailhawkHigh AltitudeOverlandTrailhawk EliteLatitude

　　

Base MSRP	$25,045
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$146/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	24.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles