The Jeep Cherokee has always been one of the most renowned SUVs in its segment especially for its tremendous off-road abilities along with its impressive practicality traits. People, however, expect more from Jeep in terms of what they add next to their Compact SUV and Jeep hasn't disappointed.
For 2020, Jeep has introduced a refreshed version of the Cherokee which adds a New Engine, Suspension Tweaks and Features updates. The 2020 Jeep Cherokee starts at just $25,240 for the base Latitude FWD Trim and goes over $38,000 for the Top of the Line 4WD Overland Trim.
180 hp @ 6400 rpm | 2.4 L | Inline 4 | regular unleaded
Latitude Plus $27,395 onwards
180 hp @ 6400 rpm | 2.4 L | Inline 4 | regular unleaded
Altitude $28,390 onwards
180 hp @ 6400 rpm | 2.4 L | Inline 4 | regular unleaded
Altitude Limited Edition $28,585 onwards
3.2 L | V-6 |
Upland $30,620 onwards
271 hp @ 6500 rpm | 3.2 L | V-6 | regular unleaded
Limited $31,350 onwards
180 hp @ 6400 rpm | 2.4 L | Inline 4 | regular unleaded
North Edition Limited $31,700 onwards
271 hp @ 6500 rpm | 3.2 L | V-6 | regular unleaded
Trailhawk $34,505 onwards
271 hp @ 6500 rpm | 3.2 L | V-6 | regular unleaded
High Altitude $35,090 onwards
271 hp @ 6500 rpm | 3.2 L | V-6 | regular unleaded
High Altitude Limited Edition $35,285 onwards
3.6 L | V-6 | Gasoline
Overland $36,995 onwards
271 hp @ 6500 rpm | 3.2 L | V-6 | regular unleaded
Trailhawk Elite $37,700 onwards
271 hp @ 6500 rpm | 3.2 L | V-6 | regular unleaded
Colors and Styles
Billet Metallic Clearcoat
Vehicle images are guides only and may not reflect the model's exact specifications/features– exact specifications/features should be confirmed with the seller.
Ratings
Features
8.8
Engine And Performance
7.6
Interior
8.0
7.9
OVERALL RATING
Expert Review, Pricing Analysis and Buying Guide
7.9
Overall Rating
The Jeep Cherokee gets a lot of its lineage from the legendary Grand Cherokee SUV, which gives the Cherokee a bit of a cult status. The 2020 Cherokee gets a lot of updates in terms of equipment and vehicle dynamics. A new Turbocharged, 2.0L, 4 cylinder motor makes its way into the 2020 Cherokee and delivers power similar to the already existing V6 but it now generates more torque than ever.
All said and done, the Cherokee, despite its favorable specifications doesn't quite match up the sales numbers of a Honda CR-V. However, come 2020, do the new additions in the Jeep add any weight to its stature in the segment? Let's move ahead and find out.
2020 Jeep Cherokee Front Three-quarter View
2020 Jeep Cherokee Rear Three-quarter View
8.8/10 Features
7.6/10 Engine and Performance
8.0/10 Interior
2020 Jeep Cherokee Features
8.8/10
The 2020 Jeep Cherokee comes in a lot of Trim and variants with a lot of features and engine option. The base Latitude trim gets a 2.4L Naturally Aspirated Motor while the other get a Standard 3.2L V6 which produces a lot more power than the former. For 2020, Jeep has also added a new 2.0L turbocharged motor that delivers 271HP and 291lbs-ft of Torque while returning a combined MPG of over 23.
Trims
Latitude
Latitude Plus
Altitude
Trailhawk
Price(FWD)
$25,240
$26,895
$27,890
-
Price(4X4)
$26,740
$28,395
$29,390
$33,695
Features
Automatic LED Headlights
Adds/Upgrades these from “Latitude”
Adds/Upgrades these from “Latitude Plus”
Adds/Upgrades these from “Altitude”
Fog Lights
17” Alloy Wheels
18” Alloy Wheels
Off Road Suspension
Roof Rails
Cloth and Vinyl Upholstery
Gloss Black Grill Surrounds
Active Drive Lock 4WD
8 Cargo Area tie downs
4 Way Powered front Passenger Seats
Ambient LED Interior Lighting
Start-Stop System
6 Way Manual Adjust Seats
8 Way powered Driver Seat
18” Alloy Wheels
17” Of Road focused Alloy Wheels
60/40 Split Folding Rear Seats
Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
Illuminated Entry
Rear Fascia Skid Plate
6 Speaker 7” touchscreen infotainment system
Cruise Control with Keyless Ignition
Temperature and Compass Gauge
USB, Aux Input, Bluetooth and 2 12V Outlets
Satellite Radio and 1 extra USB Port
Rear Reading/ Courtesy Lamps
Apple Car Play & Android Auto
Trims
Limited
High Altitude
Trailhawk Elite
Overland
Price(FWD)
$30,590
$34,490
-
$36,495
Price(4X4)
$34,195
$35,990
$36,890
$37,995
Features
Adds/Upgrades these from “Trailhawk”
Adds/Upgrades these from “Limited”
Adds/Upgrades these from “Trailhawk”
Adds/Upgrades these from “Trailhawk Elite”
Powered Lift gate
Sirius XM Radio with Traffic Service and Travel Link Service
Heated and Ventilated Seats
Hands Free Power Tailgate
Memory Setting for Driver Seat
9 Amplified Speakers with Subwoofer
All Weather Floor mats
Rear Tonneau Cover
Exterior Mirrors with Memory
Infotainment System with Navigation
6 Way Manual Adjust Driver’s Seat
Perforated Heated and Cooled Nappa Leather Seats
18” Alloy Wheels
HD Radio
6 Speaker System
19” Alloy Wheels
7” Info Display
Bluetooth with Voice Command
17” Polished Aluminum Alloys
9 Speaker Alpine Audio System
Dual Zone Auto AC
Gloss Black Roof Rails
Front Suspension Skid Plate
Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror
Body Color Door Claddings
Fuel Tank Skid Plate Shield
Napa Leather Upholstery
2 Front and 1 Rear Tow Hook
Heated Front Seats with 4 Way Power Lumbar Adjustment
Heated Steering Wheel
Underbody Skid Plate
Remote Start
8.4” touchscreen infotainment system
Universal Garage Door Opener
Rear Cross Path Detection
We Recommend
The Limited trim offers a lot of premium features for its price and is the most feature friendly option among the rest for the price it's offered at.
2020 Jeep Cherokee Engine and Performance
7.6/10
With three all-wheel-drive systems, no competitor offers the off-road prowess of the Cherokee–TheCarconnection.com
The 2020 Jeep Cherokee comes in a total of 3 Engine configurations with the base Latitude Trim getting the same old and dull 2.4L 4 Cylinder motor. It is a weak engine in terms of the power and performance that it occurs and isn’t very responsive to drive as well.
The Next Engine available as Standard is a 3.2L V6 that generates 271HP and 239lbs-ft of Torque. Its way more Punchier in response than the base trim and offers quicker acceleration and towing capacity as well.
For 2020, Jeep has also added a 2.0L 4 Cylinder Turbocharged Motor in its lineup as an offering to the customers who want some more power. This Engine may not be standard equipment across all trims but it is a worthy upgrade over the other motors as it offers a massive 295lbs-ft of Torque and MPG figures of 23 in the city.
Models
Jeep Cherokee Latitude suv
Volkswagen Tiguan S
Chevrolet Equinox L
Honda CR-V LX
Mazda CX-5 Sport
Hyundai Santa Fe SE
Kia Sorento L
Nissan Rogue S
GMC Terrain SL
Subaru Forester 2.5i
Ford Escape S
Mitsubishi Outlander ES
MSRP
$25,190
$25,190
$24,795
$25,345
$25,345
$26,545
$26,980
$25,795
$26,195
$24,295
$25,100
$25,690
Engine
2.4L i4 Regular Unleaded
2.0L I4 Intercooled TSI
1.5L I4 Turbocharged
2.4L I4 i-VTEC
2.5L I4
2.4L I4
2.4L I4
2.5L i4
1.5L i4 Turbo Gas/Ethanol
2.5L Flat 4
2.5L i4 Regular Unleaded
2.4L i4
Transmission
9 Speed automatic
8 Speed automatic
6 Speed automatic
CVT
6 Speed automatic
8 Speed automatic
6 Speed automatic
CVT
9 Speed automatic
CVT
6 Speed automatic
Continuously variable automatic
Horsepower
180 hp@ 6400rpm
184hp@ 4400rpm
170hp@ 5600rpm
184hp@ 6400rpm
187hp@ 6000rpm
185hp@ 6000rpm
185hp@ 6000rpm
170hp@ 6000rpm
170hp@ 5600rpm
182hp@ 5800 rpm
168 hp@ 6000rpm
166 hp@ 6000rpm
Torque
171 ft-lbs@ 4600rpm
221ft-lbs@ 1600 rpm
203ft-lbs@ 2000rpm
180ft-lbs@ 3900rpm
186ft-lbs@ 4000rpm
178ft-lbs@ 4000rpm
178ft-lbs@ 4000rpm
175ft-lbs@ 4400rpm
203ft-lbs@ 2000rpm
176ft-lbs@ 4400rpm
170 ft-lbs@ 4500rpm
162 ft-lbs@ 4200rpm
All the Engines come paired to a 9 Speed Automatic transmission which is very smooth in terms of operation but may take some time of its own to respond, when there is a need to change the gears.
Acceleration
The Base 2.4L Motor is slow to accelerate and respond to throttle inputs, with the sluggish transmission and weight of the Cherokee piling on to the misery.
The Cherokee’s V6 Motor on the other hand betters the acceleration by a significant amount but is again held up by the Slow to respond transmission and the heft of itself.
Models
Jeep Cherokee Latitude
Volkswagen Tiguan S
Ford Escape S
Mitsubishi Outlander ES
Chevrolet Equinox L
Honda CR-V LX
Mazda CX-5 SPORT
Hyundai Santa Fe SE
Kia Sorento L
Nissan Rogue S
GMC Terrain SL
Subaru Forester
0-60 MPH
7.6 sec
N/A
7.1 sec
N/A
N/A
7.7 sec
8.7 sec
8.9 sec
7.3 sec
N/A
6.8 sec
9.6 sec
Quarter mile
16.0 sec
N/A
16.7 sec
N/A
N/A
16 sec
16.7 sec
16.7 sec
N/A
N/A
15.4 sec
17.3 sec
Engine
2.4L i4 Regular Unleaded
2.0L i4
2.5L i4 Regular Unleaded
2.4L i4
1.5L I4 Turbocharged
2.4L I4 i-VTEC
2.5L I4
2.4L I4
2.4L I4
2.5L I4
1.5L I4 Turbocharged
2.5L flat4
Curb Weight (lbs.)
7.0
3721
3552
3329
3274
3307
3541
3591
3810
3456
3449
3499
Emission
(Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)
N/A
7.7
7.3
6.5
6.3
N/A
6.3
N/A
N/A
6.1
N/A
N/A
Understandably, the Cherokee’s motor ranks somewhere in the middle of our comparison table in terms of the acceleration it offers. Had the Cherokee got a fast to respond transmission and a lower weight under its belt, things could have been very different.
Ride and Handling
The 2020 Jeep Cherokee offers a pleasant ride experience even if it doesn’t offer the most comfortable one. The Suspension does a good job of absorbing the less deep potholes and speed bumps with ease. The Big Potholes are where the Jeep’s suspension fails to impress as the lack of damping in the suspension isn’t enough, to sustain those bumps.
In terms of the Handling, the Cherokee surprises with its Sporty handling. The Body roll is well controlled at high speeds or while changing directions. The Chassis feels poised and balanced at highway speeds despite the Cherokee’s massive weight.
Braking
The 2020 Cherokee also comes with a good set of Brakes which perform better than most would expect them to. The Brake Pedals offer good response while not feeling much squishy and spongy in feel.
Model
Jeep Cherokee Latitude
Volkswagen Tiguan S
Ford Escape S
Mitsubishi Outlander ES
Chevrolet Equinox L
Honda CR-V LX
Mazda CX-5 SPORT
Hyundai Santa Fe SE
Kia Sorento L
Nissan Rogue S
GMC Terrain SL
Subaru Forester
Brake Front (in.)
13
13.4
12.8
11.6
N/A
11.1
11.7
12.6
12.6
11.7
11.6
11.8
Brake Rear (in.)
11
11.8
12
11.9
N/A
10.2
11.9
12
12
11.5
11.2
11.3
60-0 MPH (ft.)
128
N/A
112
N/A
N/A
115
136
130
N/A
N/A
130
129
The Stopping distance of 128ft helps the Cherokee to tank among the top half of our comparison table in terms of Braking performance while out performing several lower weighted SUV’s.
2020 Jeep Cherokee Fuel Economy
One of the areas, where the heft of the Cherokee hampers its parameters is in terms of its MPG figures. The Standard 2.4L Motor on the Cherokee is one of the most lethargic motor in terms of the rivals and fails to redeem itself in the fuel economy terms as well.
Model
Jeep Cherokee Latitude
Volkswagen Tiguan S
Ford Escape S
Mitsubishi Outlander ES
Chevrolet Equinox L
Honda CR-V LX
Mazda CX-5 SPORT
Hyundai Santa Fe SE
Kia Sorento L
Nissan Rogue S
GMC Terrain SL
Subaru Forester
MPG (city)
22
22
21
25
26
26
25
22
22
26
26
26
MPG (highway)
31
29
29
30
32
32
31
29
29
33
32
30
MPG (combined)
25
25
24
27
28
28
28
25
25
29
28
28
Range (city/highway)
(miles)
348/490
337 / 444
330/455
415/498
387 / 477
364 / 448
370 / 459
414 / 545
414 / 545
377 / 479
387.4/447
431.6/547.8
Tank Capacity (gal)
15.8
15.3
15.7
16.6
14.9
14.0
14.8
18.8
18.8
14.5
14.9
14.9
With an overall MPG figure of just 21, the 2020 Cherokee ranks among the lower half of our comparison today. One of the redeeming points for the Cherokee is its Turbocharged 2.0L Unit that delivers an excess of 23 MPG in terms of the overall MPG figures.
2020 Jeep Cherokee Interior
8.0/10
The Cherokee’s Interior materials are a notch above the competition and Jeep has updated the look this year with contrasting lighter colors on lower panels–TheCarConnection.com
Seating and Comfort
The Jeep Cherokee can seat 5 People with the Cabin being easily accessible to most people for access. There is a generous amount of Headroom and Legroom on offer for both the Front and Rear Passengers. Taller Passengers will more so appreciate the good amount of Headroom on offer while other will like the good amount of Glass Area that elevates the roominess of the Cabin.
Model
Jeep Cherokee Latitude
Volkswagen Tiguan S
Ford Escape S
Mitsubishi Outlander ES
Chevrolet Equinox L
Honda CR-V LX
Mazda CX-5 SPORT
Hyundai Santa Fe SE
Kia Sorento L
Nissan Rogue S
GMC Terrain SL
Subaru Forester
Passenger capacity
5
7
5
7
5
5
5
5
7
5
5
5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)
39.4/57.6/41.1
39.6/57.0/40.2
39.9/55.9/43.1
40.6/56.4/40.9
40.0/57.2/40.9
40.1/57.9/41.3
39.7/57.1/41.0
41.2/59.1/44.1
39.5/59.1/44.1
41.6/56.6/43.0
41.2/58.2/43.3
40.0/57.2/40.9
Second
(Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)
38.5/55.1/40.3
39.1/55.9/36.5
39.0/55.2/37.3
38.4/56.0/37.3
38.5/55.5/39.7
39.2/55.6/40.4
39.0/54.8/39.6
39.2/58.3/40.9
39.3/58.0/39.4
38.5/55.9/37.9
39.6/57.2/39.4
38.5/55.6/39.7
The Seat Cushioning is mostly Soft for the most part while the padding on them being adequate for most passengers. People will also appreciate the Quality of the Materials used for the Seats which adds to the plushness of the overall dull cabin.
Infotainment
Jeep has comprehensively updated the Infotainment System of the Cherokee for 2020. The Infotainment System is one of the Most Intuitive and Responsive Systems in the segment with good graphics and connectivity.
These are the list of Features available from the infotainment system of the 2020 Cherokee
Android Auto and Apple Car Play Compatibility
4” Touchscreen Infotainment System with Navigation
SiriusXM Radio and Travel Link with 5 years Subscription
9 Speaker Music System with Subwoofer
FM/AM Radio connectivity with HD Radio
USB and 3.5mm Jack Aux connectivity
Bluetooth with Integrated Voice Command
Steering Wheel Mounted Controls
Interior Features
The 2020 Jeep Cherokee comes loaded with a host of features to keep you relaxed on the inside. We have already discussed about the features inside the Infotainment System above and will now be enlisting some of the Important Interior Features.
Heated Front and Second Row Seats
Front Seat Active Headrests
Height Adjustable Front Shoulder Belts
Memory for Radio, Driver Seats settings
8 way Power Adjustable Driver Seats and Lumbar Support
Leather Seating and Upholstery
60/40 Split Folding Rear Seats
Ventilated Front Seats
Start/Stop System
Ambient LED Lighting
Sun Visors with illuminated vanity mirrors
12V Power Outlet in Instrument Panel and Cargo Area
Dual Zone Auto AC Climate Control
Cargo Capacity
The 29.1 cu. Ft. of Cargo Capacity in the Cherokee is one of the smallest cargo spaces in the entire segment. This reduces to just 24.6 with the rear seats pushed all the way back.
Model
Jeep Cherokee Latitude
Ford Escape S
Volkswagen Tiguan S
Mitsubishi Outlander ES
Chevrolet Equinox L
Honda CR-V LX
Mazda CX-5 SPORT
Hyundai Santa Fe SE
Kia Sorento L
Nissan Rogue S
GMC Terrain SL
Subaru Forester
Cargo Volume (ft.3)
29.1
34.0
37.6
10.3
29.9
39.2
30.9
35.9
11.3
39.3
35.4
29.6
The Cherokee has Split Folding Rear Seats that adds to the Cargo Capacity of the Compact SUV and a Cargo Management System allows handy luggage to be tied down to 8 hooks present in the SUV.
2020 Jeep Cherokee Exterior
The funky, separated lighting that gave the Cherokee a sleepy face is gone–TheCarConnection.com
Design
Jeep got mixed responses when they first showcased the 2020 Cherokee to the public because of the unconventional use of Plastics around the front bumper and the weird design of the Headlamps.
This design however now looks very similar to the Grand Cherokee and that is a good thing. The Rear also has some unique elements like clear lens tail lamps and skid plates that accentuates the character of the SUV.
Exterior Dimensions
The Jeep Cherokee ranks amongst the most compact SUV’s in the segment in terms of its dimensions. This yields it advantages while parking in tight spaces or moving through crowded spaces.
Model
Jeep Cherokee Latitude
Volkswagen Tiguan S
Ford Escape S
Mitsubishi Outlander ES
Chevrolet Equinox L
Honda CR-V LX
Mazda CX-5 SPORT
Hyundai Santa Fe SE
Kia Sorento L
Nissan Rogue S
GMC Terrain SL
Subaru Forester
Curb weight (lbs.)
3655
3721
3552
3329
3274
3307
3541
3591
3810
3456
3449
3499
Length(in)
182.0
185.1
178.1
184.8
183.1
180.6
179.1
187.8
189.0
184.5
182.1
182.3
Width(in)
73.2
72.4
72.4
71.3
72.6
73.0
72.5
74.4
74.4
72.4
71.5
72.4
Height(in)
65.7
66.3
66.3
67.3
65.4
66.1
66.2
66.1
66.3
66.3
68.1
65.4
Ground clearance (in)
8.7
7.9
7.8
8.5
N/A
7.8
7.5
N/A
7.3
7.8
8.7
6.9
Wheelbase (in)
106.2
109.8
105.9
105.1
107.3
104.7
106.2
108.9
109.4
106.5
105.1
107.3
Track width (in) F/R
62.7/63.1
62.2/61.8
61.5/61.6
60.6/60.6
62.2/62.2
62.9/63.5
62.8/62.8
64.3/64.7
64.3/64.7
62.8/62.8
61.6/61.8
62.2/62.2
The Cherokee also has one of the Best Ground Clearances in the segment of 8.7inches. This gives it edge over the competition in terms of water wading abilities and lower possibilities of damage to the underbelly of the SUV.
Exterior Features
The 2020 Jeep Cherokee comes with a host of Exterior features that separates it from the competition in terms of the looks. Some of those features include 19” Aluminum Wheels, Off Road Wheel Flares, Roof Rails and more. Some of the other noteworthy features include
Automatic Front LED Headlamps with Led Daytime Running Lamps
Front LED Fog Lamps
LED Tail Lamps
Powered Exterior Mirrors with Turn Indicators, Courtesy Lamps, Memory Function and Heating Element
Rear Window Defroster with Wiper and Washer
Windshield Wiper De-Icer
Acoustic Windshield
Front Suspension Skid Plate
Fuel Tank Skid Plate shield
3 Tow hooks (2 Front and 1 rear)
2020 Jeep Cherokee Safety
The 2020 Jeep Cherokee comes with a good amount of Safety features which consists of 10 Airbags, Anti-Lock Brakes with Electronic Brake force Distribution and more. The IIHS and NHTSA have not rated the SUV yet but the 2018 Ratings suggest that the SUV matches the other SUV’s in its class in terms of Safety Performance.
Some other Safety features include
Rear View Camera
Hill Start Assist
Trailer Sway Control
Blind Spot Monitors
Rear Cross-Path detection
LATCH Child Seat Anchor Points
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
2020 Jeep Cherokee Competition
Jeep Cherokee vs Honda CR-V
There is no denying the Fact that the Honda CR-V is one of the Best SUV’s in the segment. It flaunts an easy to understand infotainment system and best in class storage space. The CR V additionally has a rich lodge that offers two lines of seating and has enough space to oblige grown-ups. The Cherokee however is a more practical Off-Roader of the 2 as it offers 8.4” of Ground Clearance, Superb 4WD Setup and a very intuitive and easy to use infotainment system.
Jeep Cherokee vs Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 is one of the most Sportiest SUV’s in the segment. The Mazda offers one of the Best 2nd Row Seating arrangement in the class as well. When it comes to the off road ability, both the SUV’s are nearly matched and have potent 4WD systems. The Cherokee however manages to match the Mazda in terms of the Riding Dynamics and the Off-Roading Ability. The Jeep also beats the Mazda when it comes to the infotainment system and its usability.
Jeep Cherokee vs Chevrolet Equinox
The Chevrolet Equinox is one of the popular choices for people who want an American Crossover SUV in the market. It offers an Amazing Engine, Great Infotainment System and a Stylish Exterior. The Cherokee however comes with the pedigree of the Grand Cherokee and manages to beat the Equinox in terms of the Off Road Ability and the Infotainment System as well. The Cherokee also has many functional exterior components that aid while doing off road stuff like multiple tow hooks, Skid Plates and a high ground clearance.
2020 Jeep Cherokee Final Verdict
The 2020 Jeep Cherokee has got a lot of updates for 2020, to keep it fresh among the rising heat from competitors. The Standard Motor doesn’t pack a lot of punch but the V6 and Turbo 2.0L Motor pack in a whole lot of punch. It offers good ground clearance and has got some of its SUV lineage directly from the legendary Grand Cherokee. So, if you want a Proper SUV but in a compact proportion, the 2020 Jeep Cherokee is definitely, one of the Top Contenders to be checked out.