2019 JEEP CHEROKEE OVERLAND: REFINED and good off-road
V6’s 239 hp. Transmissions of choice is a ninespeed automatic transmission.
The Cherokee range starts with the Sport model at $27,245, the North $28,495, Altitude $29,390, adds bigger wheel, exterior accent LED lights, and a bigger touch screen. The upper range Limited at $30,995 adds Uconnect multimedia center with 8.4 inch touchscreen, power liftgate, Nappa faced leather seats, and 18-inch polished wheels. The Trailhawk $32,995 adds the FCA 3.2l Pentastar VVT V6 with engine stop start technology, Jeep Active Drive Lock. Selec-terrain traction management with rock mode. The High Altitude model at $34,985 adds granite crystal exterior 19 inch granite crystal aluminum wheels and an Alpine premium sound system. It doesn’t end there. The Trailhawk Elite $35,990 adds heated and ventilated Nappa faced front seats, remote start system, and 8-way power drivers and passengers seat with 4-way lumber Safety-wise, the 2019 Cherokee offers a host of must have features, including: eight standard airbags. Active lane keep assist and automatic emergency braking. Adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, roll mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rear-view camera. We tested the high-end Overland version which came in probably the best shade of paint I have seen in a while, -a subtle Olive green pearl that looked so classy. The swanky Overland builds on the top luxury orientated Limited Model, and adds: 19 inch polished wheels, Hands free tailgate, Uconnect 4c Navigation with 8.4 Touchscreen, with Sirius XM Guardian, and Sirius XM Traffic.
The interior is very comfortable, with the top-level Overland trim. The interior featured rich tan trimmed leather with Overland logo’s that make you feel much pampered. Cargo capacity is rated at 781 litres, 1,634 litres with the rear seat folded. One the road, the Jeep drives very well with a smooth ride and decent acceleration. The Jeep offers a rather firm ride and is fairly agile, the nine-speed transmission is improved and offers better transition between gears now. For an off-road test, we took the Jeep Compass to a combination of terrain, namely some semirough trails, and country roads. And I have to say we were hugely impressed. The 2019 Cherokee Jeep Active Drive I, hands-off four-wheeldrive system switches between two- and four-wheel drive while offering Selec-terrain mode choices with Auto, Snow, Sport, Sand/ Mud and Rock settings. Fuel economy for the Cherokee is around the 11.2/8.0L/100km (city/ hwy) mark. To sum up, the Jeep Cherokee offers great value if you opt for the base model starting at $27,245 with a decent enough range of equipment. With a plethora of models, the upper range Overland is a good choice if you want more luxury and conveniences. The new refined look outside and the improved premium materials inside, along with a host of other improvements make the 2019 Jeep Cherokee a top competitor in the mid-size utility market. Highly recommended 2019 Jeep Cherokee pried from: $27,245. Jeep Cherokee Overland as tested: priced from: $40,645. Plus, Destination ($1,895) and other fees not included. www.jeep.ca