2020 Jeep Cherokee
Jeep’s Cherokee finds itself in the most competitive of segments in the market: compact SUVs. It gets a boost when optioned properly with the Trailhawk package because it offers the best off-roading capability plus real towing capacity. It’s also a comfortable ride and can be optioned in various combinations of front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive for different driving needs. It’s major downside is the lack of cargo space and unimpressive fuel economy ratings.
What’s New
- Alexa Skill Technology now available on Uconnect 4C/4C NAV with 8.4-inch display
- Two new paint colors: Sangria and Spitfire Orange
- New 17-inch wheels on Latitude trim and optional 19-inch wheels on Limited models
Pros & Cons
- Comfortable ride, even when optioned with the off-road-focused Trailhawk package
- Excellent off-road abilities for the class
- Very good crash test results
- Though ride quality is very good, responsiveness and handling are lacking
- Among the worst fuel economy of the class
- Cargo space is shy of the mark
REVIEW
2020 Jeep Cherokee: Affordable Capability
Our team of experts has decades of experience evaluating vehicles . While we sometimes, but not always, evaluate manufacturer-supplied vehicles, we operate them in the real world as real consumers would to provide an unbiased view of their capabilities. . Read More
Jeep’s Cherokee used to sport a funky front-end lighting arrangement. But the updated design features new bodywork and a smoothed-out headlight and turn signal design. Updated interior trim helps its overall handsome look.
Off-road, nothing matches the Cherokee when optioned up to the Trailhawk version. On-road, many other SUVs in its class match or better the Cherokee in handling, acceleration and braking.
Front seat room and comfort is very good, though the steering column could use a greater range of adjustment. Rear seat room is just okay; width across works for two people, but is tight for three. Headroom also is limited for anyone over 5-foot-9. Cargo space also is well shy of most competitors.
The Cherokee earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety and «Good» scores in all six categories. Forward collision warning is now standard, with other optional advanced driver-assistance technology such as automatic emergency braking, lane keeping and blind-spot monitoring.
There are other better fuel-sippers in the compact SUV segment, so the Cherokee is not very compelling on economy. The Trailhawk with the V6 posts an 18 combined mpg rating, though the most frugal is the front-wheel-drive Latitude trim that achieves 23 mpg combined.
Jeep’s Cherokee used to sport a funky front-end lighting arrangement. But the updated design features new bodywork and a smoothed-out headlight and turn signal design. Updated interior trim helps its overall handsome look.
Off-road, nothing matches the Cherokee when optioned up to the Trailhawk version. On-road, many other SUVs in its class match or better the Cherokee in handling, acceleration and braking.
Front seat room and comfort is very good, though the steering column could use a greater range of adjustment. Rear seat room is just okay; width across works for two people, but is tight for three. Headroom also is limited for anyone over 5-foot-9. Cargo space also is well shy of most competitors.
The Cherokee earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety and «Good» scores in all six categories. Forward collision warning is now standard, with other optional advanced driver-assistance technology such as automatic emergency braking, lane keeping and blind-spot monitoring.
There are other better fuel-sippers in the compact SUV segment, so the Cherokee is not very compelling on economy. The Trailhawk with the V6 posts an 18 combined mpg rating, though the most frugal is the front-wheel-drive Latitude trim that achieves 23 mpg combined.
The 2020 Jeep Cherokee is a compact SUV that mixes on-road manners with light trailblazing capabilities. While the Cherokee bears the rugged Jeep nameplate and has a few off-roading characteristics, it does not deliver the grunt of its larger Wrangler and Grand Cherokee siblings. It doesn’t crawl rocks, but its authentic Jeep off-road mechanicals give it a leg up against it top-selling opponents with adventurous aspirations such as the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4.
When the fourth-generation Cherokee debuted for the 2014 model year, it wore a multitude of front lighting elements (headlights, turn signals and fog lights) in various housings located in different spots and presented a six-eyed face to the world. It looked odd. But in 2019, Jeep debuted a refresh of its Cherokee that featured a cleaner aesthetic. Now the Cherokee pleases the eye with short front and rear overhangs and the familiar Jeep family seven-slot grille. The squared-off wheel openings also echo the look and feel of the handsome Grand Cherokee.
The current Cherokee is offered in eight different trims that suit varying needs and stay under a $40,000 price point (before layering on any extra packages). There are three engine choices: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine standard in lower trims; a 3.2-liter Pentastar V6 in the top trims; and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo available across most of the lineup. All engines are paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Five of the trims come with a standard front-wheel drivetrain and optional four-wheel-drive. The blacked-out Upland and more capable Trailhawk and Trailhawk Elite trims are only offered in 4×4. The pricey Limited sports higher-end chrome detailing and has the choice of an upgraded nine-speed automatic when configured as a 4×4 with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo.
The Limited and Trailhawk Elite sit at the top of the range, but the mid-grade Trailhawk layers on extra capability such as off-road suspension, bigger tires and locking differential. It also gets the 3.2-liter V6 engine and features more rugged styling, including red tow hooks in the front and rear. The larger V6 engine also boosts towing capacity to 4,500 pounds. Compared with the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder under the hood of most of the Cherokee trims, the V6 offers more torque at low engine speeds for grunt off the line and immediate passing power. That’s because the smaller engine is paired to a reluctant nine-speed transmission and suffers from excessive turbo.
The nine-speed transmission—used in all Cherokee trims—pauses too long until it wakes up with a downshift. This is a common complaint and Jeep (and its parent Fiat Chrysler) have not been able to improve it despite its several-years-long run on the market. However, it works fine off-road, which is another benefit of selecting the Trailhawk.
The Cherokee’s cabin offers decent legroom in the front seats though the adjustable steering wheel doesn’t offer enough adaptability. Meanwhile, the rear seat is only moderately spacious. Other compact SUVs like Honda’s CR-V offer more rear seat legroom and headroom. The Cherokee’s high windowsills make the interior feel more cramped than it actually is, especially in the back seat. The Cherokee’s cargo space was boosted to 27.6 cubic-feet as part of the 2019 makeover, but it’s still well shy of the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4’s which offer 39 and 37 cubic-feet, respectively.
The Cherokee’s optional large 8.4 touchscreen that runs the intuitive Uconnect4 infotainment system remains one of the easiest to use in the class and the industry. Menus and prompts are instantly decipherable. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility also are standard across the range.
The Cherokee garnered top marks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, with a Top Safety Pick rating. Adding a safety tech package that includes adaptive cruise control, brake assist and automatic high beams is available on the Trailhawk and higher trims for $1,595.