2020 Jeep Cherokee Road Test and Review

2020 Jeep Cherokee ・ Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

The 2020 Jeep Cherokee may be the most all-around capable mid-size sport utility vehicle on the planet. Because it bears the Jeep name, its first priority is delivering topnotch off-road abilities, and in that quest, the Cherokee sacrifices some interior room and carrying capacity, but Jeep execs and Jeep aficionados are willing to make that trade. It’s all about validating the brand promise.

The Cherokee is able to negotiate terrain you shouldn’t even attempt in most midsize crossovers. But it should be emphasized that off-roading is only part of the Cherokee’s personality. The Jeep Wrangler requires some sacrifices in exchange for its all-terrain competence, but the Cherokee is much easier to live with on a day-to-day basis. Yes, it will traverse the Rubicon Trail, and yet it is also a perfectly competent five-passenger crossover SUV for everyday duty.

Exterior

When this generation of the Jeep Cherokee was introduced, it wore a very controversial front grille, but that was revised for the 2019 model year and the change was a good one. It’s now a more straightforward version of the iconic seven-slot grille, so the Cherokee is immediately identifiable as a Jeep.

Off-road-influenced approach and departure angles contribute to the Cherokee’s all-around capabilities. The front fascia houses dual LED fog lamps surrounded by bright trim details while the adaptive cruise control radar sensor is positioned below. Overland models feature standard chrome steel tow hooks. One of our favorite features is the push-push fuel door and cap-less fuel fill that eliminates the need to deal with a fuel-filler cap. Overall, the compact Cherokee has a contemporary, upscale look.

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Interior

The Jeep Cherokee’s interior is not only good-looking, but it also makes it very clear you’re in a Jeep. Hand-sculpted dashboard and console forms tie signature Jeep design cues and high-quality materials together with precision craftsmanship. Piano black and satin chrome trim give the Cherokee a look that belies its reasonable price. A USB port and 115-volt outlet are housed in the media hub in front of the center console, and it is accompanied by a convenient place for smartphone storage and charging.

The fully adjustable seats are covered in cloth or Nappa leather. Heated and ventilated front seats with memory are optional. We are also fans of the 60/40 split second-row seats that adjust fore and aft for increased comfort and cargo-carrying flexibility. Five will find the Cherokee a comfortable, cozy place to be.

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Infotainment and Controls

The 2020 Cherokee offers the choice of 7- or 8.4-inch touchscreen displays with the functionality of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. We appreciate the intuitive operation and large on-screen icons that characterize FCA’s Uconnect systems. In our test Cherokees, Apple CarPlay seamlessly integrated an iPhone with the car’s built-in display and controls. Drivers can make phone calls, access music, send and receive messages, and receive voice-guided navigation optimized for traffic conditions using a familiar system. Android Auto delivers similar well-integrated features for users of Android phones.

The driver’s side of the dash features a thin-film transistor LED 3.5-inch grayscale or 7-inch full-color reconfigurable instrument cluster. You can customize what is put in front of you from choices that include turn-by-turn navigation, vehicle speed, current fuel economy, safety warnings, and audio information.

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Powertrains

The headline-grabber among the Cherokee’s engine choices is the 2.0-liter direct-injection inline four-cylinder engine that delivers 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It is mated to a highly efficient nine-speed automatic transmission, and it features engine stop-start technology, direct injection, and a twin-scroll, low inertia turbocharger. It is the most technologically sophisticated engine ever offered in a Jeep.

Two other engines choices are available as well: the naturally aspirated 180-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder, which we found surprisingly competent in the base-level Cherokee Latitude, and the naturally aspirated 271-horsepower 3.2-liter Pentastar V6 engine, which should please many conventionally minded Jeep fans. The 2020 Jeep Cherokee offers a choice of three 4x4 distinct systems — Active Drive I, Active Drive II and Active Drive Lock — enabling you to choose the level of capability you desire for off-road and bad weather situations.

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Driving Impressions

If you choose a Trail Rated version of the Cherokee, you’ll get the most-capable off-roader of all mid-size SUVs. And all-wheel drive Cherokees that aren’t Trail Rated will still perform exceptionally well in off-road and poor-weather situations.

But that doesn’t mean that the Jeep Cherokee beats you up on roads, streets, highways, or parking lots. Our experience showed the 2020 Cherokee excels in all those situations as well. Even the base front-drive Latitude model was impressive on twisty two-lane roads while providing good ride quality on the Interstate. The Overland model with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine was even more satisfying, thanks to the engine’s usefully broad torque curve. We liked the ease of the electronic power steering system, which has the added advantage of improving fuel efficiency.

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Safety and Driver Aids

An impressive array of active safety features is available on the various Cherokee trim levels. Included on the list are adaptive cruise control, a forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a lane-departure warning with steering corrections. The Cherokee also offers electronic stability control, electronic roll mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection. 

If you’d like help with parking, the Cherokee features a backup camera with dynamic grid lines, and the available ParkSense Parallel/Perpendicular Park Assist uses ultrasonic parking sensors on the bumper to find and guide your Jeep into an available parking space. All the driver has to do is start the process. The system controls the steering angle automatically, while the driver must control forward and reverse gear selection, brake, and accelerator. Eight standard airbags lead the list of passive safety features.

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Cargo and Towing

Compared to some of its competitors, the Cherokee sacrifices some interior and cargo space in favor of enhanced off-road abilities. It offers 128 cubic feet of interior space. With the rear seats up for use, it has 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seatbacks. With the rear seats folded, the Cherokee has 54.7 cubic feet of cargo room.

For ease of loading, the Cherokee has a lightweight composite liftgate with the release handle positioned to make it handier to grasp. If that’s not convenient enough, you can add hands-free power liftgate that's activated by making a kicking motion under the bumper. Equipped with the 271-horsepower 3.2-liter Pentastar V6 engine and the trailer tow package, the Cherokee offers maximum towing of 4,500 pounds. With the 2.0-liter turbo and trailer tow package, max towing is 4,000 pounds.

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Multiple Trim Levels

The Cherokee is available in five different trim configurations: Latitude, Latitude Plus, Limited, Overland, and the rugged, Trail Rated Trailhawk. Both front-drive and 4x4 versions are offered in each trim level with the exception of the Trailhawk.

The Trailhawk demonstrates its superior off-road credentials by featuring the Jeep Active Drive Lock 4-wheel-drive system and its locking rear differential, skid plates, and red tow hooks. The locking rear differential is selectable in any low-range terrain mode to maximize available traction. For those less inclined to engage in heavy off-roading, the Latitude is the value-oriented trim level. As you’d guess, each ascending trim level adds more equipment. For those who are looking for a fully equipped vehicle, the Overland trim is a good bet. It is plush and luxurious, yet its bad-weather and off-road capabilities are impressive.

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Pricing and Value

A strong player in a very hot segment, the 2020 Cherokee spans a broad price range. For those who want the looks and aura of a Jeep but don’t need off-road capabilities, a low-cost front-wheel drive version is available. At the other end of the scale, there is a version that will accomplish about everything an off-road enthusiast could ever imagine. And there are several trim levels and equipment combinations that split the difference.

The base front-wheel-drive Latitude has an MSRP of $25,740 plus a $1,495 destination charge. For the Limited trim level in 4x4 configuration, the MSRP climbs to $34,595 plus destination. If you have luxury on your mind, the Overland 4x4 trim has an MSRP of $38,495 plus destination. Off-road enthusiasts will appreciate the Trailhawk, which starts at $34,505 plus destination. All Cherokees are built in the FCA assembly plant in Belvedere, Illinois.

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