2019 Jeep Cherokee: 5 Things Buyers Need to Know

It’s a big year for Jeep as the new 2019 Jeep Cherokee arrives with a new look and new features, but still stays true to the Jeep styling that fans appreciate. Joining the all new 2018 Wrangler JL, the 2019 Cherokee is packing a lot of new looks, a new engine and it’s ready to go with an off road ready Trailhawk model.

We went hands on with the 2019 Jeep Cherokee in Detroit to see and feel the new model. We haven’t taken it out on the road yet, but hope to do that in the near future.

“A stunning, more premium design and the addition of our new fuel-efficient 2.0-liter turbo engine make the new 2019 Jeep Cherokee even more desirable in the mid-size SUV segment,” said Mike Manley, Head of Jeep Brand – FCA Global. “In addition, Cherokee builds on its benchmark 4×4 capability and on-road dynamics with refinement and style, a host of new attributes, powertrains and the latest technology that is perfectly situated for consumers worldwide.”

This is what you need to know about the 2019 Cherokee so you can decide if you should wait for it to arrive in dealers, or if you should look at the 2018 models.

2019 Jeep Cherokee: What’s New

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee.

The Jeep team delivers a new exterior look for the 2019 Cherokee with a fresh, but still recognizable look for the front end and a collection of fresh updates to the wheels. Here’s a fast rundown of the new Cherokee features, options and a new engine.

• All-new front fascia, hood, LED headlamps, daylight running lamps and fog lamps
• New lightweight, handsfree power liftgate
• Five new wheel designs, including premium 19-inch wheel on Overland models
• Improved rear cargo volume and more convenient storage space
• All-new 2.0-liter direct-injection turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with 270 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque equipped with engine stop-start (ESS) technology to optimize fuel economy and minimize greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
• Enhanced nine-speed automatic transmission tuned to match the performance of all-new 2.0-liter direct-injection turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine
• All-new Jeep Active Drive I with next-generation rear drive module reduces weight while enhancing fuel efficiency and performance
• Uconnect 4th Gen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto

You can check out a collection of photos below, showing you more of how the new Cherokee looks.

2019 Jeep Cherokee Tech

Jeep offers a range of tech and safety features on the 2019 Cherokee, including two screen sizes, optional navigation and support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You can choose between a 7-inch or a 8.4-inch Uconnect screen, and if you want pay a premium for Navigation built-in.

With CarPlay and Android Auto, you can plug your phone in and use it for music, calls, navigation and access Siri or Google Assistant. The Cherokee is controllable with a smartphone app with a subscription so you can lock or unlock the doors and start the vehicle from your phone.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee includes support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Additionally you’ll find over 80 available safety and convenience features including, “ParkSense Parallel/Perpendicular Park Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control-Plus, Forward Collision Warning-Plus, and LaneSense Lane Departure Warning-Plus; SOS button; Electronic Stability Control (ESC); Electronic Roll Mitigation; Blind-spot Monitoring; Rear Cross Path detection; ParkView rear backup camera with dynamic grid lines and eight standard air bags.”

2019 Jeep Cherokee Trim Levels & Packages

There are many trim levels, but right now Jeep is showing off the Limited and the Trailhawk.

Jeep offers the same five 2019 Cherokee Trim levels as they did in 2018. Jeep did not announce a Tech Connect Package version of the Latitude like they do on the 2018 model, but that is something we could see later.

• Latitude
• Latitude Plus
• Limited
• Overland
• Trail Rated Trailhawk

The 2019 Cherokee Trailhawk is trail rated and it comes with red tow hooks, and a locking rear differential as well as skid plates to protect you off road. This specific version also comes with 8.7-inch ground clearance, a 29.9 degrees approach angle, a 32.2 degrees departure angle and a breakover angle of 22.9 degrees. This allows you to get into and out of way more situations than the other Cherokee trim levels.

2019 Jeep Cherokee Price

Jeep did not announce any specific 2019 Jeep Cherokee pricing. Even though this is a new model, expect pricing that is similar to the 2018 Cherokee. The current models start at $24,395 and go up to $34,905 before you add packages and other upgrades.

2019 Jeep Cherokee Release Date

Expect to see the 2019 Jeep Cherokee arrive in dealers this fall. Jeep did not announce a specific release date or date for deliveries, but this is the common timing for a 2019 model that is announced at the auto show.

Smart Cruise Control

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Do you hate constantly adjusting your cruise control, or giving up on cruise control because of traffic or due to a driver in front of you who keeps changing speed? You need a smart cruise control system. Smart cruise control goes by many different names. You may see it listed as Radar Cruise, Adaptive Cruise or Intelligent Cruise control. Whatever it is called, it will allow you to set your cruise control and then stay with the flow of slower traffic. Here's why we love it and why you need it. You get on the highway and set the cruise at 76 miles per hour. You also set the distance you want kept between you and the car in front of you. There are typically three or four settings so you can be close or keep a lot of space. Now you simply steer and your car will go 76 mile per hour when traffic allows it or there is no one in front of you. When someone is in front of you going 73 mph, the car automatically slows down to keep you the distance you choose from that car. This is indispensable in traffic and on long road trips.  Not all smart cruise control systems are the same. Some of work at all speeds, while others only work above a specific limit. Some systems can bring you to a complete stop in traffic and then restart without you needing to touch a pedal.  You can find adaptive cruise control on cars as cheap as $18,500 like the Toyota Corolla, and as an option on many cars below $30,000. Even on pricier cars you may need a higher trim level or special package to get this feature.

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