2019 Jeep Cherokee: More than Just the New Face [Video]

The all-new 2019 Jeep Cherokee bows in at this year’s Detroit Auto Show, sporting a much less controversial face

There’s a lot going on with the (more-than-refreshed) 2019 Jeep Cherokee. While the current model is a big seller for FCA/Jeep, quite a few complained about its unorthodox styling. Still, few argued about its (Trailhawk) off-road capability and its comfortable ride. Still, a little more torque would be nice.

Jeep has listened and built a lot more into this vehicle than a new headlight kit.

Sure, it has an all-new front fascia, hood, fog lamps, LED headlights and daylight running lamps, but there’s more. It has a hands-free power liftgate, massive dual-pane sunroof and five new wheel designs (that includes premium 19-inch wheels on the Overland models). It now looks a lot like a slightly smaller Jeep Grand Cherokee.

There’s a new capless fuel filler too.

The best stuff is under the hood. There’s a brand-new, 270 horsepower, turbocharged, direct-injected 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine with 295 lb-ft of torque. It’s hooked up to a revised nine-speed automatic transmission with an electric start/stop “ESS” system. It has a twin-scroll turbocharger, C-EGR system, central direct injection and the independent liquid cooling intake of air, throttle body and turbo – the first application of this type of system for Jeep.

Other Powertrains and Equipment

There are other power plants as well. A 3.2-liter Pentastar V-6 engine with ESS technology delivers 271 horsepower and 239 lb-ft of torque and a best-in-class towing capability of 4,500 pounds.
A more fuel-efficient 2.4-liter Tigershark MultiAir2 engine shared with the Compass and Renegade delivers 180 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque.

An all-new Jeep Active Drive I with next-generation rear drive module reduces weight while enhancing fuel efficiency and performance. Other off-road focused features include:

• • Active Drive II with two-speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) and low-range gear reduction
  • Active Drive Lock with two-speed PTU, low-range and mechanically locking rear differential
  • Selec-Terrain traction control system with up to five customized modes – Auto, Snow, Sport, Sand/Mud and Rock
  • Up to a 51.2:1 crawl ratio

There are interior electronic updates including 4th-generation Uconnect system that includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and the choice of a 7 or 8.4-inch touchscreens displays. These new systems have pinch-and-zoom capability as well.

The interior has been updated and, in addition to the basic interior revisions, heated and cooled front seats and a heated steering wheel, Jeep managed to make the cargo area larger. It now has over 27 cubic feet of cargo space.

According to Jeep, the 2019 Jeep Cherokee is packed with more than 80 available advanced safety and security features.

Stay tuned to TFLcar.com and our YouTube channels for more on the 2019 Jeep Cherokee and other models at this year’s NAIAS! Subscribe to The Fast Lane Car and TFLnow on YouTube so you don’t miss any live debuts from Detroit.