10 Things You Need to Know About the 2019 Jeep Cherokee

2019 Jeep Cherokee ・ Photo by Fiat Chrylser Automobiles

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee is a heavily revised version of what many consider to be the most off-road-capable compact crossover on the planet. It sacrifices some interior room and carrying capacity in its quest for superior off-pavement prowess, but that’s what makes a Jeep a Jeep, isn’t it? Jeep aficionados are more than willing to make that trade.

When it comes to off-pavement challenges, the 2019 Cherokee is able to negotiate terrain you shouldn’t even attempt in most crossovers. And that is only part of the Cherokee’s personality. Not nearly as purpose-built an off-roader as the Jeep Wrangler, it is also a perfectly competent five-passenger grocery-getter and commuter car.

1. It has good on- and off-road abilities.

With the right available equipment, the Cherokee is the most capable off-roader in its class. At the same time, you won’t spend the majority of your driving time off-road. Unless you want to spend the bulk of your time bouncing off the headliner, it is essential that the Cherokee perform as well on streets and highways as it does fording creeks. Happily, the 2019 Cherokee excels all those places as well.

The base front-drive Latitude trim-level model is a surprisingly good match for twisty two-lanes. The Overland model with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine uses its broad torque curve to advantage both on-road and in the dirt. The electronic power steering system has good feel and also improves fuel efficiency.

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2. It's not your typical compact SUV.

With its newly revised exterior styling, the Jeep Cherokee has a mainstream look that might give you the impression that it is not unlike the typical compact SUV. But there is more to the Cherokee’s innate “Jeepness” than the four letters “J-E-E-P” that are emblazoned on various portions of its attractive anatomy. Under the skin is the heart of an off-roader.

Yes, the Cherokee is available in front-drive form. But the Cherokee has also been engineered and constructed for tough and challenging off-road use. And by that we don’t mean breezing down a dirt road that has a few potholes; we mean serious rock-crawling of the kind you find in Moab and on the Rubicon Trail. It is definitely not a Honda CR-V, but nor does it seek to be.

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3. You’ll know you’re in a Jeep.

The Jeep Cherokee’s interior makes it very clear you’re in a Jeep by using some familiar shapes on the dash and trim. At the same time, the Cherokee has every modern amenity. The steering wheel not only bears the classic Jeep logo, but it also has a classic Jeep design. The media center hub forward of the center console includes a USB port and 115-volt outlet, and it is accompanied by a convenient place for smartphone storage and charging.

The fully adjustable, newly redesigned seats are covered in cloth or Nappa leather. Heated and ventilated front seats with memory are optional, as are 60/40 split second-row seats that adjust fore and aft for increased comfort and cargo-carrying flexibility.

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4. The infotainment options are first-class.

Fiat Chrysler's Uconnect systems are among the easiest to use in the business. The 2019 Jeep Cherokee offers the choice of 7-inch or 8.4-inch Unconnect-enabled touchscreen displays featuring the functionality of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Using their familiar smartphone system, drivers can make calls, access music, send and receive messages, and receive voice-guided navigation optimized for traffic conditions. The Cherokee's premium sound group adds an Alpine nine-speaker sound system with subwoofer.

Beyond the center-stack-mounted screen, a thin-film transistor LED 3.5-inch grayscale or 7-inch full-color reconfigurable instrument cluster enables you to customize your driving info. The information displayed can include turn-by-turn navigation, vehicle speed, current fuel economy, safety warnings, and audio information.

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5. It looks better than ever.

Let’s face it, the front grille of last year's Cherokee needed a facelift. It was the most controversial aspect of the 2014-2018 Cherokee design, and while some liked it, many did not. The 2019 redesign retains the iconic seven-slot grille, but it removes the hump in the middle.

The attractive update incorporates a new fascia, hood, LED headlamps, daylight running lights, fog lights, and liftgate. Off-road-influenced approach and departure angles contribute to the Cherokee’s capabilities and give the vehicle a rakish look. The resculpted front fascia houses dual LED fog lamps surrounded by bright trim details. Overland models feature standard chrome steel tow hooks. One of our favorite features is the new fuel door and capless fuel filler that eliminates the need to deal with a fuel-filler cap.

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6. There’s a choice of good powertrains.

The Cherokee’s newest powerplant is a 2.0-liter direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder engine that boasts 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It is mated to a highly efficient nine-speed automatic transmission. With engine stop-start technology, direct injection, and a twin-scroll low-inertia turbocharger, it might be the most technologically sophisticated engine ever offered in a Jeep.

The 2.0-liter is just one of three engine choices in the Cherokee. Also available are a naturally aspirated 180-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a 271-horsepower 3.2-liter Pentastar V6. The last will undoubtedly be the choice of many conventionally minded Jeep fans. The new Cherokee also offers a choice of three distinct 4x4 systems for unmatched capability off-road and in bad weather.

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7. Safety features and driver aids are abundant.

The Jeep Cherokee can be equipped with an impressive array of active safety features. Included on the list are adaptive cruise control, a forward collision warning, and a lane-departure warning. The Cherokee also offers electronic stability control, electronic roll mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, and eight standard airbags.

For the parking-challenged, the Cherokee features a rear backup camera with dynamic grid lines. The available ParkSense Parallel/Perpendicular Park Assist uses ultrasonic parking sensors on the bumper to find and guide the vehicle into a suitable parking space. All the driver has to do is start the process. The system controls the steering angle automatically, while the driver must control the gear position, brake, and accelerator. 

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8. It’ll tow and haul.

The Cherokee sacrifices some interior and cargo space for enhanced off-road abilities. If you want a moving van, call Ryder. Still, the Cherokee offers 128 cubic feet of interior space, and it’ll carry a lot of stuff. With the rear seat in place, it has 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind it. With the rear seat folded, it has 54.7 cubic feet of cargo area.

For the 2019 model year, the Cherokee has a redesigned, lightweight composite liftgate with the release handle repositioned higher to make it easier to grasp. If that’s not convenient enough, you can add the hands-free liftgate, which is activated by making a kicking motion under the bumper. Equipped with the 271-horsepower 3.2-liter V6 engine, the Cherokee can tow up to 4,500 pounds.

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9. There are versions for many lifestyles.

You say you want choices? The Cherokee is available in five different trim configurations: Latitude, Latitude Plus, Limited, Overland, and the rugged "trail-rated" Trailhawk. Both front-wheel drive and 4x4 versions are offered in each trim level with the exception of the Trailhawk, which is, understandably, 4x4 only.

As the ultimate off-road Cherokee, the Trailhawk also features Jeep Active Drive Lock and its locking rear differential, skid plates, and red tow hooks. The locking rear differential is selectable in any low-range terrain mode to maximize tractive effort. The Latitude is the value-oriented trim level, and each trim level adds more equipment. For those who are looking for a fully equipped vehicle, the Overland trim is a good bet. And its off-road chops are nothing to sneeze at.

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10. The Cherokee spans a broad price span.

We can’t say there’s a Cherokee for everyone, but the model is priced to reach a width swath of buyers. There is a low-cost version for those who want the looks and aura of a Jeep but don’t need off-road capabilities. There is a version that will accomplish about everything an off-road enthusiast could ever imagine. And there is a version that offers strong off-road capabilities plus cushy around-town amenities.

The base front-wheel drive Latitude has an MSRP of $24,395. The Limited trim in 4x4 configuration has a base price of $31,295. For those looking to bask in a wealth of features, the Overland 4x4 has an MSRP of $37,340. For off-roaders, the Trailhawk has an MSRP of $30,995, maybe the best value of all.

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