2022 Jeep Cherokee

The Jeep Cherokee has been around, in one shape or another, for close to fifty years in the USA and is currently in its fifth generation. Now a compact SUV, it provides a seven-slotted alternative to rivals like the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4, except unlike those, this has genuine off-road chops and a class-leading towing capacity of 4,500 pounds. In its mission to beat the best, Jeep sells the Cherokee with two engine options, including the 271-horsepower 3.2-liter V6 and an available 2.0T four-banger rounding out the range with 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. A nine-speed automatic is standard across the range and you can select either front- or all-wheel-drive, with the Trailhawk model using the latter to make it one of the most capable off-roaders in the compact crossover realm. With a broad selection of trims, the Cherokee follows the philosophy that there's a specific trim for every type of buyer, but with wayward handling and a clumsy gearbox, it's not the most complete vehicle in the segment.

There's no doubting the fact that the 2022 Cherokee crossover is a good-looking car, especially when you compare its face to the alien-looking design it had before Jeep facelifted it. Wheel sizes range from 17-inch items on lesser trims to 18s on upper trims, and 19s are available optionally. LED headlights are standard across the lineup, as are fog lamps and roof rails. The Limited is the sole trim to come with a dual-pane panoramic sunroof as standard but this is available on all other trims.

The newest Jeep Cherokee remains a compact crossover SUV but has slightly larger exterior dimensions in comparison to competitors like the Toyota RAV4. However, within the lineup, the dimensions differ slightly from model to model. The wheelbase, for instance, ranges from 106.5 inches on front-wheel-drive models to 106.6 on all-wheel-drive derivatives, while the Trailhawk with a lockable 4x4 system stretches this to 107.1 inches. The latter trim is shorter overall at 182.9 inches compared to the 183.1-inch length of other trims. The width ranges from 73.2 in. on standard models to 74.9 on the Trailhawk, while heights vary from 65.7 to 67.8 inches. Given that the Cherokee is actually capable of doing some off-roading, the Trailhawk has 8.7 inches of ground clearance and the best approach, breakover, and departure angles of 29.9, 22.9, and 32.2 degrees, respectively.

With a variety of configurations, the curb weight of the Cherokee can be as light as 3,710 lbs but as heavy as 4,260 lbs on the 2.0T-equipped Trailhawk.

The Jeep Cherokee SUV's bold styling grabs attention, and what better way to keep that attention by coating it in a crazy paint color? Jeep offers its compact SUV in a wide range of colors that will appeal to both the young at heart and those that like an understated look. These range from the no-cost Bright White to $395 options like Billet Silver Metallic, Diamond Black Crystal, Granite Crystal Metallic, Sting-Gray, Slate Blue, Hydro Blue, and Velvet Red on the base model. The Trailhawk has most of the same colors but doesn't have access to Slate Blue.

All-out performance doesn't play a significant role when it comes to family-friendly and affordable compact SUVs, which is why Jeep makes no official 0 to 60 mph or top speed claims, although you can expect the turbocharged model to complete the 0-60 sprint in the upper six-second region. It's safe to say that the 2022 Jeep Cherokee is more than capable of completing your everyday journey without breaking a sweat.

When driving around on the daily suburban and city grind, the Cherokee offers good performance from its powertrain options. The larger capacity V6 or smaller-displacement turbocharged four-pot provide confidence-inspiring performance. The Cherokee is a real utility vehicle and boasts some of the best towing numbers in this segment. It can tow 4,500 lbs with the V6 and 4,000 lbs with the 2.0-liter engine.

FWD and AWD are available, but the Trailhawk, which gets standard AWD and a special 4x4 system, is much more capable than most, with its Trail Rated badge indicating genuine off-road prowess.

There are two engines to choose from with the availability limited by trim. The standard one is the 3.2-liter Pentastar V6 engine - an adaptation of the larger 3.6L unit found in just about every other Jeep product North of the Cherokee in size. It's rare to find a V6 in the compact crossover segment, with this one producing 271 hp and 239 lb-ft, which contributes toward solid towing capacities. It's paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 isn't remarkable but low-down grunt is decent. It's a suitable partner for the Trailhawk, too, as the linear delivery of its naturally aspirated torque curve makes it ideal for off-roading.

Optional on the Latitude Lux and Limited is the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. It almost matches the V6 by producing 270 hp, but out-torques it by a healthy margin, generating 295 lb-ft of twist. This engine revs to a lowly 5,800 rpm, but the torque is what matters. The gearbox is recalibrated for this configuration with a shorter final drive and mapping that is supposed to be better suited to the torque band of the turbo motor. Sadly, the engine lacks character and the gearbox is still slow and does little to mitigate the inherent lag from the four-cylinder. Its performance improvements on the road make it better than the V6 for the most part, but it's nowhere near the standard of the Mazda CX-5's turbo 2.5L.

The gearbox is a frustration in all configurations, and while it has a manual mode that's supposed to help, it simply ignores the driver's prompts almost all the time.

When Jeep facelifted the Cherokee for 2019, it went about shaving weight. This was a smart move as it makes the Cherokee handle much better. It corners flatter than one would expect, because of this, while retaining a softly-sprung nature that bodes well for comfort. On that side of things, revised dampers, bushing, and anti-roll bars have all improved the way it handles. Previously, there was a vagueness to the front end that bordered on scary, not just on-road but off it, too, where the front felt like it could wash out at any moment. With the V6 engine, the front still feels a little wayward, but the 2.0T feels far tighter, keener to turn in, and better tied down.

The brakes feel strong, too, with good feel through the pedal and a good amount of stopping power, no doubt aided by having less weight to bring to a halt.

There are better compact crossovers on-road, but the Cherokee is much improved now. However, where it truly shines is off the beaten path. The Trailhawk is built with this in mind, endowed with a specific suspension tune, all-terrain tires, and even Jeep's Active Drive II AWD system. The latter is an important bit of information as it has a locking rear differential, a four-low mode, and dedicated rock-crawling driving modes. It's no Wrangler on the rocks, but there's no other compact quite this capable - except for maybe the Ford Bronco Sport. Even in Trailhawk guise, though, the Cherokee is composed on the road.

The downside to big engines is big fuel bills, and the Cherokee will never be able to challenge eco-warriors like the Honda CR-V in this department. The 2.0-liter, in addition to being the most potent powertrain, is also the most efficient when paired with FWD, returning 23/31/26 mpg city/highway/combined, while AWD drops gas mileage figures to 21/29/24 mpg. The V6 is predictably thirstier. Try 20/29/23 mpg in its most efficient FWD form. With its various off-road suited bits and pieces and an AWD system that places greater strain on the motor, the Trailhawk is by far the thirstiest model at 18/24/21 mpg.

A fuel tank capacity of 15.9 gallons applies across the board, so the potential range in mixed driving conditions is anything between 333 and 413 miles to a tank.

The perception that Jeep only builds stripped-down, utilitarian vehicles is long gone, and even the most humble of Jeep offerings has a contemporary interior that is both stylish and comfortable. The 2022 Cherokee interior is no different; the design might be simplistic, but the overall feel is welcoming and family-friendly and still retains a sense of class, in part due to a design that is heavily inspired by the larger Grand Cherokee. All knobs and buttons are within easy reach of the driver, and the build quality is up to standard. But the cabin is more cramped than the best in the segment, with limited day-to-day storage space. Likewise, the trunk is below par, especially given the Cherokee's external footprint.

Narrow windows and high sills amplify the effect that the Cherokee has a claustrophobic cabin, but the numbers suggest it actually has one of the larger interiors in the compact crossover segment. The Honda CR-V leads the way, but up front, the Cherokee fares relatively well with up to 39.4 inches of headroom and 41.1 inches of legroom. The rear of the five-seater crossover is where things get a little tighter but are still able to best the Toyota RAV4. Here you get 38.5 inches of headroom and 40.3 inches of legroom. Ingress and egress are relatively easy, but once behind the wheel, visibility is limited by those narrow windows, creating awkward blind spots towards the rear of the car.

The seats themselves are comfortable and supportive. Base models get manually adjustable front seats, but higher up in the range, eight-way power-adjustable front seats with four-way lumbar control become standard.

The Jeep Cherokee interior features a balance of hard plastics and soft-touch materials and feels well put together. Seeing as most Cherokees will spend their time hard at work transporting family members, pets, and lots of cargo, Jeep has rightfully decided to fit the base model cars with hard-wearing cloth seats, offered in all black or a combination of black and Light Frost beige. The interior also features Liquid Titanium accents and door-trim appliques. The Latutude Lux comes with premium leather in either Black or Black/Ski Gray, while the Trailhawk sticks with a black interior in cloth/premium vinyl or optional leather. Finally, the Limited has leather seats in Black or Black/Ski Gray. All models have a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The US market is crazy for crossovers, with many seeing the advantages of a spacious body when it comes to the practical aspects of life like shopping and going on family vacations. But despite sizable exterior measurements, the Cherokee is a little disappointing when it comes to its cargo bay. Behind the rear seats, 25.8 cubic feet is nearly 15 cubes behind the RAV4 and CR-V, although you can drop the dual-level floor to unlock a total of 27.6 cubes. The rear seats fold to open up 54.7 cubic feet, which is simply not competitive with the class-best. On top of this, the lift-over height is awkward, so heavier objects are likely to result in a few scuffs on the rear bumper.

The interior cubbies are average for the segment, but far from exceptional. The door pockets are short and the center storage bin is narrow, albeit relatively deep. Ahead of this are two cupholders, there's a glovebox ahead of the front passenger and a slot for your smartphone in front of the gearshift lever. The rear-center seatback folds forward to create an armrest.

The number of standard features on offer in the 2022 Jeep Cherokee varies greatly, depending on trim, with the base model offering a rather rudimentary experience. That doesn't mean it isn't decently kitted, though. The seats may be manually adjustable and you may only get standard air conditioning on the base model, but you also get tilt-and-telescopic steering adjustment, power windows, and automatic headlights. It's not much, but at least Jeep hasn't skimped on safety, as every model ships with blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning and auto-braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and a rearview camera.

In contrast, the upper trims put on a premium show with hands-free power liftgates, dual-pane panoramic sunroofs, a seven-inch digital instrument cluster, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated power-adjustable seats (available from all but the base model), and a heated steering wheel. You'll also find adaptive cruise control, park assist, and keyless entry either standard or available on these upper models, while true luxury items like heated and ventilated seats can be equipped optionally.

In charge of entertaining passengers is a competent Uconnect 4C infotainment system that is pretty intuitive and easy to live with daily. All trims come with an 8.4-inch touchscreen interface. Standard infotainment features include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, Bluetooth streaming with voice command, SiriusXM radio, and a six-speaker sound system. While a USB charge port in the center console is standard, the Latitude Lux and above get dual USB charging ports at the back. Only the Limited differs with its nine-speaker Alpine sound system. On the top two trims, the Uconnect 4C NAV with navigation is optional.

No recalls affected the 2022 Cherokee, but the 2021 model was recalled twice for issues including front lower control arms that may fracture and a transmission oil cooler hose that could leak. 2020 models were also recalled, this time for a faulty rearview camera display image and a steering rack gear that could fail.

On a positive note, the number of complaints by owners is also relatively low and the latest J.D. Power Quality & Reliability score is a stellar 82 out of 100, which bodes well for ownership.

Jeep's warranty coverage includes a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile drivetrain warranty, and roadside assistance for the same period. Three year's access to the Jeep Wave customer care program is also included with complimentary maintenance.

Despite many standard safety features, the Cherokee still receives relatively average safety ratings. In the NHTSA's review of the Jeep Cherokee, it attained four out of five stars on the overall rating. The IIHS gave the 2021 Cherokee scores of Good across all crash tests in its Cherokee review but scored the headlights only Acceptable or Marginal. The optional crash avoidance systems were rated Superior.

Jeep provides a fair amount of standard safety features on the Cherokee. All cars come standard with eight airbags including dual front knee bags, and the usual slew of acronyms for various braking, stability, and traction assists. Recently, Jeep made a range of driver assists standard on all models, so every Cherokee now has blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency collision braking and full-speed forward collision warning, lane departure warning and lane keep assist, and a rearview camera. The Technology Group package adds adaptive cruise control, auto high beam headlights, side distance warning, and Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist. It's standard on the Limited and optional on the Trailhawk.

The Cherokee name has been around for nearly five decades on the back of a Jeep product, but while some have been large and some have been small, none have been as accomplished an all-rounder as the 2022 Cherokee. Prior to the 2019 facelift, this was one of our least favorite compact crossovers, but Jeep worked hard to improve its faults and many of them have been addressed. However, there are still some issues. The gearbox is our biggest gripe, as it lets down every engine option, no matter how much promise it has. We'd go so far as to say it stops us from fully enjoying even the range-topping engines. The lack of cargo space is another gripe we have, as even the smaller Compass has similar capacities with far better access. The Cherokee is not the most refined crossover on-road, but the enhancements that have been made make it a better companion. There's plenty to like, though, like a good V6 engine and best-in-class towing capacity. Higher trims also have really pleasant interiors, and the infotainment across the range is easy to use and has tons of functionality. But the biggest selling point is the Trailhawk trim's off-road ability. If you want a compact SUV with real off-road clout, this is it. But, if you spend more time in the drop-off at your kids' school than you do on dirt trails, we'd recommend looking elsewhere.

This year, the Cherokee lineup has been streamlined and consists of just four models. The cheapest Cherokee vehicle is the X at a starting price of $33,995. At exactly the same price is the Latitude Lux in FWD guise. These are followed by the Trailhawk at an MSRP of $37,045 and the Limited at $38,745. All models are 4x4 as standard but the Latitude Lux can be upgraded from 4x2 to 4x4 for $1,500. The price of a new Jeep Cherokee excludes a destination charge of $1,595 and other fees you'll likely have to pay when looking at Jeeps for sale at your local dealership.

The new Cherokee SUV is available in a choice of four trims: X, Latitude Lux, Limited, and Trailhawk. All trims are powered by the 3.2-liter V6 engine as standard, but the 2.0-liter turbo-four is an option for the Latitude Lux and Limited. A nine-speed automatic gearbox is the only transmission option.

The first trim is the new Cherokee X. It comes with 4x4 as standard and has an off-road suspension. Outside, it has a gloss black grille surround, LED headlights, fog lights, and 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires. Inside, there is cloth upholstery and features like an 8.4-inch touchscreen interface, air conditioning, an eight-way power driver's seat, a heated steering wheel, blind-spot monitoring, and lane departure warning.

Next in line is the Latitude Lux. Here, you get a 4x2 drivetrain as standard and optional 4x4, along with a normal duty suspension. This trim also adds a chrome surround for the grille, a power liftgate, a seven-inch full-color TFT cluster, an auto-dimming interior rearview mirror, and power adjustment for the front passenger seat.

The Limited is the best-equipped model in the lineup. Besides everything that the Latitude Lux has, the Limited adds a dual-pane sunroof, 18-inch alloy wheels, a driver's memory system, parallel/perpendicular park assist, and front/rear parking sensors.

The highly capable Trailhawk is the final trim. Equipped only with 4x4, the V6, and the off-road suspension, it's the best Cherokee for tackling rough terrain. It also comes with a two-speed transfer case and Jeep Active Drive Lock. You can distinguish the Trailhawl by its unique grille surround and rear fascia skid plate applique. Inside, it misses out on some of the Limited's standard luxuries but can be equipped with Nappa leather to boost the ambiance.

Jeep gives buyers a number of packages or option groups, but they are limited by trim. On the X, the priciest package is the Sun and Sound Group that adds a dual-pane panoramic sunroof and a premium Alpine sound system for $2,295. For better towing, the Trailer-Tow Group costs $995. Moving up to the Latitude Lux adds the Mopar Interior Package for $265 with its cargo area liner and slush mats. The Sun and Sound Group is also available here.

The Trailhawk adds several tempting packages. The Comfort and Convenience Group goes for $895 and bundles together a hands-free power liftgate, an auto-dimming interior rearview mirror, a security alarm, and a universal garage door opener. At $1,295, the Premium Leather Package adds premium leather, a memory system for the driver, and a power front passenger seat. Another useful upgrade is the Technology Group. For $1,345, driver-assist features like adaptive cruise control and side distance warning make the cut.

Restricted to the Limited is the $1,695 Elite Package. This pack is highlighted by extras like a hands-free power liftgate, heated rear seats, HD Radio, chrome tow hooks, ventilated front seats, and more.

This year, Jeep has made shopping for a new Cherokee a lot easier with a simpler, more sensible trim selection. That said, our choice hasn't changed from last year. The Cherokee Trailhawk is the ideal Cherokee, capitalizing on the larger-displacement V6 engine to be able to tow, getting standard 4WD and off-road suspension to climb rocks, and getting most of the necessary equipment you need. We'd slap on Hydro Blue paint and throw in the $1,345 Technology Group for the on-road driver assists. The Trailer-Tow Group makes sense, too, at $995. All in, this capable Cherokee will cost just over $41,000.

Jeep's naming convention gives away the core difference between these two models. The Grand Cherokee is the larger brother to the Cherokee, occupying the two-row midsize SUV segment. But it's not just bigger; it's more capable too. While the Jeep Cherokee crossover is a semi-off-roader, the Grand Cherokee is massively capable thanks to available air suspension and better 4x4 drivetrains. This is largely down to the platform's RWD basis. It also gets access to more engines, including V8 options, all with way more power than the Cherokee, and the eight-speed automatic gearbox it has is a more intuitive partner. It can out-tow the Cherokee by a healthy margin with up to 7,200 lbs towing capacity. It has a larger trunk, by around 11 cubic feet. The downsides are a thirst that needs a big bank account to keep up and a higher asking price - the Grand Cherokee starts at $40,325, which is more than the price of the Cherokee Limited. It's also not as easy to pilot on-road and parking is a bit tricky because of its size. The all-new 2022 Grand Cherokee is a better vehicle in nearly all respects and we'd stretch to it if we could.

With the growing popularity of crossovers, a number of manufacturers have two or more vehicles per segment, including Jeep. The Compass is also a compact SUV, albeit a smaller one than the Cherokee. Pricewise, it's over $7,500 cheaper, and specification-wise, you get a lot of the same stuff. However, you only get the 2.4L Tigershark engine with no V6 and turbo option, which limits its towing capacity to just 2,000 lbs. It has a shorter wheelbase, but more base cargo volume. The trade-off? Less rear-seat space by a couple of inches. You might think it's a small price to pay, given the actual price, but for us, it's a problem for the Compass. It makes it even smaller than rivals like the RAV4 and CR-V, and there's no real benefit elsewhere. The Cherokee isn't perfect, but at least you have access to the bigger engines and greater towing capacity. This makes it the better of the two, in our eyes.