Peter Palmer: 2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 4X4 Review

The newly-remodeled 2019 Jeep Cherokee still provides unparalleled off-road capability, V6 power, and superior towing capacity, making it undeniably attractive for adventure enthusiasts. Cherokee gets a mid-cycle refresh with a redesigned front grille, new headlights and taillights, and some updates beneath the surface too. The Cherokee is one of the few vehicles in its class with a truly capable off-road system for getting away from civilization.

What’s New For 2019

The exterior is restyled, the interior is a little more upscale, and cargo capacity makes an incremental gain.

Features & Options

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 4X4 ($33,620) comes nicely appointed with heated leather seats, heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual zone climate control, an 8.4-inch color display, and backup camera. There is a power liftgate, remote start, six-speaker sound system, and four-way adjustments for the driver and passenger seats. Blind-spot detection and rear park assist are also included.

Optional equipment included the Technology Group ($995) with adaptive cruise control, brake assist, full-speed collision warning, lane departure warning, parallel park assist, and side distance warning.

The Luxury Group ($1,195) came with ventilated front seats, second-row adjustable seats, and foot-activated liftgate. The panoramic sunroof ($1,295) and upgraded sound system ($695) and navigation ($795) brought the total MSRP, including destination, to $40,040.

Interior Highlights

As we approached our Cherokee Limited, the doors automatically unlocked. The Cherokee gets subtle improvements inside with material upgrades and new trim details like piano black plastic and satin chrome. Engineers redesigned the center console, moving the shifter slightly rearward and creating a space for your phone near a USB port. There’s also a 115-volt outlet, as well as the latest version of FCA’s Uconnect infotainment system.

This tester came with premium touches including heated and ventilated seats clad in Nappa leather and a heated steering wheel, all welcomed this week as a spring snow hit the Denver area. Seats are comfortable for the most part, but we felt them a bit hard for longer trips to the high country. In the back, there’s enough room for passengers and extra cargo for those weekend getaways.

Jeep had adventure enthusiasts in mind and built more cargo volume into the rear, which expands to 26 cubic feet. With the rear seats folded flat, there’s 55 cubic feet of cargo-carrying ability with room enough for all your camping, hiking, and fishing gear.

Engine & Fuel Mileage Specs

The optional 3.2-liter V6 retains its rating of 271 horsepower and 239 lb-ft. of torque, as well as its class-leading 4,500 lbs. tow rating. It comes mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission that, according to Jeep, received new software to improve drivability. It also features fuel-saving stop/start technology.

EPA fuel mileage estimates come in at 19/27 city/highway and 22 combined mpg with the V6 powerplant.

Driving Dynamics

With the 3.2-liter V6, the Cherokee has all the power most weekend warriors will need. Heading west on the winding, mountainous highway west of Denver, we found the newly-remodeled Cherokee delivers a smooth ride and there weren’t any real surprises. We pushed past slower traffic with ease and the SUV never felt lacking for power at the higher altitude.

Pushed hard around tight mountain curves, the Cherokee wants to lean and doesn’t rank high in terms of on-road agility. But this isn’t the vehicle’s strong point. Where Cherokee shines is when you leave the pavement.

We took it on a short (but severe) off-road drive course near Morrison, and Jeep’s Selec-Terrain System successfully maintained low speeds as it jumped over the rocky patches. Jeep’s Active Drive I system will go places no other vehicle in this class can tackle. It’s the reason you would pick a Cherokee over others for your daily commuter.

In the city, the Cherokee is still a nice place to spend time and with all the available safety tech, you’ll get plenty of warnings to keep you safe.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a small, inexpensive commuter, you might want to look elsewhere. If you enjoy camping trips on the weekend to get far away from civilization, the 2019 Jeep Cherokee is a must drive. With its highly-adaptable four-wheel drive system, the Cherokee is not only capable in wintry conditions, but also for serious off-road use this summer.

Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years in the automotive industry in a variety of roles. Follow his work on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy