The latest Jeep Cherokee gives up its unconventional styling for a more traditional Grand Cherokee appearance. The V6 remains an option, but a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine is available as well. As with other Jeeps, the Cherokee remains one of the most capable compact SUVs in its class.
Pros:
- The available V6 and turbocharged engines provide strong power.
- Suspension helps to smooth out the unevenness of rough surfaces.
- The 8.4-inch touchscreen provides a user-friendly interface.
- The Trailhawk model of the new Cherokee offers excellent off-road capability in a small SUV.
Cons:
- The base engine provides sluggish acceleration.
- The cargo capacity of this small crossover is less than other small crossovers
- Far more expensive than the majority of its rivals
The Jeep Cherokee is a small, two-row crossover SUV. The Cherokee was last redesigned in 2014, making it one of the oldest vehicles in its class. However, Jeep hasn’t let the Cherokee wilt: It has updated the crossover with new trims and features as well as a mild refresh just a few years ago.
In 2018, Jeep updated the Cherokee with a revised trim lineup and more standard features on some models. The company has not announced any official changes for 2023, though given its age, another update or a full redesign could be in the cards. If a full redesign does occur, we expect the 2023 Cherokee to include a hybrid — or even plug-in hybrid — version among the new drivetrain offerings.
Many automakers have at least one model in the small crossover class. Edmunds’ favorites include the spacious and comfortable Honda CR-V, the sporty and surprisingly premium Mazda CX-5, and the recently redesigned Nissan Rogue. The venerable Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester round out this list of recommended small crossovers.
How does the Cherokee perform?
The Cherokee’s sporty nature is a pleasant surprise, especially considering Jeep’s reputation for off-road capability. The steering is nicely weighted and feels direct. It also transmits some of the road texture to the driver. The wheel is well-balanced, and there’s a good sense of an on-center feel. Shifts with the nine-speed automatic feeling sluggish, so we’d opt for the turbo 2.0-liter engine, which outperforms the V6.
The brake pedal is designed to make it easy and predictable to stop smoothly in everyday driving. Off-roading capabilities are above average, with multiple trim levels available that offer varying levels of capability in the dirt.
How comfortable is the new Jeep Cherokee?
The Cherokee’s suspension was designed to provide a comfortable ride on rough roads but it doesn’t handle the ups and downs of smoother undulating roads as well. The seats are comfortable and have nice, breathable upholstery, even though they don’t provide a lot of lateral support. There’s an average amount of road and wind noise; it’s not loud enough to be distracting but we wouldn’t call it quiet either.
The climate control system maintains temperature well, and the controls are easy to locate. The seat and steering wheel heaters are located in the touchscreen, requiring an extra step, but pop up immediately when you start the car — a nice touch. The seat heaters get toasty quickly too.
How is the interior of the new Jeep Cherokee 2023?
The cabin has a high-mounted driving position and ample headroom, which helps backseat passengers see out. The rear windows are large and allow for good visibility, and there’s also a generous amount of seat height adjustment, which should suit a wide range of driver types. Backseat passengers will appreciate the generous legroom.
The Jeep Patriot’s straightforward Uconnect infotainment system and large, easy-to-wield knobs and buttons make it easy to use. However, those who are eyesight-challenged might want to upgrade to the larger 8.4-inch infotainment screen.
What is included in tech?
The standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration includes an entry-level infotainment interface that’s easy to use. The touchscreen menu provides prompts for available commands, so you can make calls, tune into a radio station, and even set the climate control system with voice commands. There are two USB ports up front and two more for charging in the back, and the upgraded audio system delivers great sound.
The test car we drove lacked many drivers aids, but we could configure the alerts (such as blind-spot warning) to be audible or visual only. Adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist are available only on higher trims.
What about the storage in the new jeep Cherokee 2023?
Despite the small size of its trunk, the Cherokee has a cleverly designed cargo space. The adjustable load floor is handy and the liftover height is manageable, but the Cherokee has one of the smallest trunks in the segment with 24.6 cubic feet of cargo space. There’s a good variety of cabin storage options for the items people commonly bring inside.
The Cherokee offers safety hardware that makes using child car seats easy. This includes clearly marked anchors between the rear seatback and bottom cushion, as well as easy-to-access tethers on the back of the seats. For those who tow trailers, an optional tow package increases Cherokee’s towing capacity to 4,500 pounds max.
How is the fuel economy?
Our V6 test vehicle returned 22 mpg (19 city/27 highway), which is well below what competitors return. We averaged 20.9 mpg over the course of two weeks, with the best return of 25.2 mpg on our 115-mile evaluation loop. The optional turbo 2.0-liter makes more power and generates more low-end torque than the base engine, so it’s an ideal choice for drivers who want performance without sacrificing fuel economy.
Is the Cherokee of good value?
Although our midlevel Cherokee model was missing some interior refinement, there were some bright spots. The control knobs have soft detents and rubberized knurling that makes for easy adjustment. The hard plastic trim has a ruggedness to it, but it looks cheap compared with what’s in segment leaders.
Jeep offers three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty coverage and five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty coverage. It also includes roadside assistance for five years/60,000 miles. For pure value, segment leaders offer more standard features but many of the Jeep’s add-ons are affordable, and some are not offered by competitors. Ultimately, you’re paying more for Jeep capability.
Conclusion
The Cherokee is a more attractive vehicle after Jeep’s midcycle refresh for 2019, and it’s also more capable off-road. However, its design has lost some of its predecessor’s boldness. Couple that with the fact that it’s one of the most fun to drive SUVs in the class, and it’s a rig we’d be happy to drive daily.
