2019 Jeep Cherokee

The Cherokee comes in five different trim levels. Starting with the base level Latitude, you'll get 17-inch wheels, heated side mirrors, and xenon headlights. The Latitude Plus adds keyless entry and the option for the Comfort and Convenience package with a power liftgate. Step up to the Limited trim for 18-inch wheels and some interior and technology upgrades, or the choose the Overland for different 18-inch wheels and cornering lights. The Overland also gets body-colored exterior trim accents and a sound-reducing windshield. There is also the off-road themed Trailhawk model. This comes with wider 17-inch wheels, increased ground clearance, skid plates, tow hooks, and all-terrain tires.

The base engine for the first three trims is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that delivers 180 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque. Also available is a 3.2-liter V-6 that gets 271 horsepower and 239 pound-feet of torque and the new 2.0-liter turbo engine that produces 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.

The new engine is just what the Cherokee needed, and it gives it a burst of power almost right from the start. If you need to tow a small trailer or boat, the V-6 can handle up to 4,500 pounds, and all models can handle off-road terrain like a champ. All the engines get a nine-speed automatic transmission, and all but the Trailhawk offer the option for either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. If you have the off-road Trailhawk, it only comes in four-wheel drive.

The Cherokee's cabin sees just a few upgrades for 2019. There is a refreshed looking dashboard and some extra soft-touch surfaces throughout the interior, giving it a more upscale feel. The rear seat passengers have plenty of legroom and headroom, and the rear seats even slightly recline. The hatch has a new design helping to add to the amount of cargo space, which is up to 25.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats. For technology, a seven-inch touchscreen now comes standard in all the trims, as do Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Jeep offers an upgrade to a larger 8.4-inch touchscreen that comes with navigation and the Send & Go app.

A rearview camera comes standard in all the models, and the Technology Group package with extra safety equipment is an option for the Limited, Trailhawk, and Overland. This group adds forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and automatic wipers. It also adds lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and an automatic parking system that will assist the driver in both parallel and perpendicular parking spaces.