New Jeep Cherokee goes under the knife for face lift
Jeep gave its popular 2019 Cherokee SUV a much-needed update to keep it fresh as new versions of competing small and midsize SUVs hit the road.
The Cherokee makeover included a weight-loss program, powerful new turbocharged engine and nose job to make the Cherokee look more like its ritzy big brother, the Grand Cherokee. The Cherokee remains the most off-road-ready SUV in its class, a distinction that sets it apart from competitors such as the Ford Edge, GMC Terrain, Nissan Murano and Volkswagen Tiguan.
The 2019 Cherokee’s front styling brings the SUV’s face in line with the Grand Cherokee and Compass. The grille is more vertical, but the big change is in the lighting. The tail lights also are new.
A simple, narrow lens combines LED running lights and headlights, which had been separated in a complicated design some buyers never warmed up to. Other exterior changes include five new wheel designs and lightweight aluminum hood and composite tailgate.
The ride is comfortable on the road. Engineers reduced the Cherokee’s weight by 200 pounds vs. the 2018 mod- el, an extraordinary improvement in the midcycle update of an existing vehicle. Jeep added a new engine for 2019, a turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder that produces 270 horsepower. The 2liter turbo is a welcome addition to Fiat Chrysler’s engine lineup. It gives Chrysler Group vehicles a truly competitive 4-cylinder engine for the first time in more than a decade.
The 2-liter turbo is the Cherokee’s top engine, thanks to its fuel efficiency and ability to produce plenty of torque at low engine speeds, a characteristic that’s very useful when off-roading. The engine is an option in mid- and high-range Cherokees.
The engine delivers plenty of power for on and off-road. But there’s also quite a bit of engine noise. Also, Cherokee’s fuel economy is a weakness, and it needs premium gas to achieve its rated horsepower and fuel economy. There are a few other issues as well. The audio quality of hands-free calls in my test vehicle was shockingly poor. Everyone I called for a week complained about an echo. Also, the Cherokee’s cargo space remains smaller than the competition.