Exterior The new face should look familiar — it’s much more similar to the design seen on the Compass and Grand Cherokee, and it’s one of two looks the Jeep brand employs (the other is the boxy, traditional look seen on the Wrangler and Renegade). The front end has conventional headlights again, and the traditional Jeep seven-slot grille is integrated into the hood. The side doesn’t look much different, but the rear gets a mild makeover with some new taillights and a lighter composite tailgate that sheds around 17 pounds compared with the old one.
As before, an available Trailhawk version features a 1-inch lift (for total ground clearance of 8.7 inches), off-road tires and higher LED lights in higher bumpers for better approach and departure angles.
Interior The Cherokee gets a mild redo inside. Materials have been upgraded, with nicer bezels and trim pieces, and an updated multimedia system and gauge cluster. Two new color themes are available, depending on which trim level you choose. The Overland model is available with contrasting seat colors.
The new base multimedia system is a 7-inch touchscreen, with the 8.4-inch Uconnect screen an option. The screens both have better resolution than the old models, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are standard. The center console has been redesigned, as well, and has more storage for things like smartphones.
The cargo area has received some significant attention, with a redesign that maximizes available space to provide a nice bump over the outgoing model. The rear cargo floor now drops further, and optimization of rear structural pieces widens the space, as well — it can now accommodate the proverbial golf bag with ease. Numerically, the cargo area rises from 24.6 cubic feet to 27 cubic feet just through some panel design improvement.
Under the Hood The Cherokee gets a new powertrain, as well, with a lot of the engineering work focusing on improving the vehicle’s efficiency. Three engines are available — the carryover 2.4-liter four-cylinder is standard while the optional engine remains the 3.2-liter V-6 making 271 horsepower and 239 pounds-feet of torque. But a new engine has appeared: an Alfa Romeo-derived turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 270 hp and 295 pounds-feet of torque.
All engines are mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, with three all-wheel-drive systems optional: Jeep Active Drive I for regular all-wheel drive; Active Drive II, which includes a low-range gear; and Active Drive Lock for the Trailhawk only that adds an electronic locking rear differential.
Safety Jeep has thrown the book at the new Cherokee, making available just about every possible safety system. Available on the new Jeep are parallel/perpendicular parking assist, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring with cross-traffic detection, and a backup camera to name a few.
