2016 Jeep Cherokee

In addition to this, the car also comes with impressive capabilities and also offers AWD on the higher trims. The build quality is in line with Jeep standards and helps the car have an edge over the rivals. Moreover, the 2016 Jeep Cherokee is available with a long list of safety features, interior features, great build quality, and powerful engine options. Having said this, how good is the 2016 Jeep Cherokee? Let’s find out.

The 2016 Jeep Cherokee is available in seven different trim options. These happen to be Altitude, Sport, Latitude, Limited, High Altitude, TrailHawk, and Overland. It falls in a price range that extends from $23,495 for its base variant and goes up to $34,695 for its top-rack Overland variant. All the trims are equipped with a number of features and are practical for everyday usage. A detailed trim and feature distribution can be seen in the table below.

We Recommend

The Limited trim is one of the most VFM propositions in the lineup, and we do recommend this variant to anyone who is looking for a comfortable and well-built vehicle that is extremely practical for everyday usage. It offers most of the convenient features in a less expensive package. You also get the convenience features like remote engine start, power tailgate, and smartphone connectivity.

The 2016 Jeep Cherokee can be had with two different engine options. To start with, the car gets a 2.4L Inline-4 cylinder petrol engine. This engine churns out 184 hp, while the peak torque output stands at 171 lb-ft. This engine comes mated to a 9-speed automatic gearbox. The second engine on offer is a mighty 3.2-liter V6 that makes 271 hp and 239 lb-ft of torque, which can be had with an AWD system. The 9-speed gearbox may not be very reliable but is fast with the shifts and complements the power delivery.

The NVH levels of both motors are well contained, and the cabin remains calm when the car is pushed hard. The response to the throttle too is decent if not the best. The gear shifts remain usually unnoticed, all thanks to the advanced gearbox. In addition to this, the engine does get vocal when pushed hard. With its base engine, the SUV reaches the 60 mph mark in 6.8 seconds, which is the best figure in the competition.

The 2016 Jeep Cherokee is one of the fastest cars in the segment and offers impressive performance. The rivals, however, are significantly slower than the Cherokee even with a base engine. Subaru comes with a flat-4 engine and AWD drivetrain as standard. It is also the least expensive of the lot, but the performance on paper and on-road takes a hit. On the other hand, if you love to stick shift, then the Forester should be your pick.

The fuel economy figures offered by the 2016 Cherokee are average and could have been better. The Cherokee gets a claimed fuel economy of 22 mpg for city usage, while the highway fuel economy stands at 31 mpg. The combined fuel economy of the car stands at 25 mpg. In all, the fuel tank capacity of the car happens to be 15.8 gallons, resulting in a range of 395 miles combined.

While the 2016 Jeep Cherokee is decently fuel-efficient, the rivals on the other hand offer a more frugal powertrain. The 2016 Honda CR-V is the most fuel-efficient of the lot, and with a huge 15.3-gallon tank, it is the only car in the lot that crosses the 500-mile driving range mark. Mazda stays with CR-V in the combined economy as it also offers 29 mpg combined, although it loses to Honda when it comes to the fuel tank capacity.

The cabin of the 2016 Jeep Cherokee is well built and houses enough space for up to five passengers to sit in utmost comfort and enjoy the journey. In addition to this, the NVH levels and insulation at higher speeds too are impressive and commendable. The front seats get a power-adjustable feature and offer impressive comfort. The seats of the car are placed at a significant height from the ground, hence making moving in and out extremely easy. 

The build quality of the cabin is appreciable, and so is the rear seat space and comfort. The fit and finish levels are decent if not the best. There is no dearth of features inside the cabin, and everything feels premium and well put together. You get features like a heated steering wheel, auto climate control, sunroof, adjustable lumbar support, etc. In all, the cabin of the 2016 Cherokee is a nice place to be in and offers good levels of comfort.

The cabin of the 2016 Jeep Cherokee is decently spacious, but some of the rivals offer a more spacious cabin. The Honda CR-V offers the most spacious and balanced cabin of the lot. It also offers the highest cargo capacity at 37.2 cu ft, followed by Subaru and Mazda offering a similar space of around 34 cubic feet. However, if you want a true luxury interior, Cherokee should be your choice. Standout interior features include:

• Leather upholstery
• Heated Seats
• Cooled Front Seats
• Power Adjustable Driver Seats
• Lumbar Support
• Dual-Zone Climate control
• Sunroof

How intuitive is the 2016 Jeep Cherokee’s infotainment system?

As standard, the 2016 Jeep Cherokee gets an 8.4-inch infotainment system that features a UConnect interface. The system is easy to use and is decently fast. The touch response remains great, and the viewing angles too are decent. The audio system gets an Alpine Audio premium setup, which left us impressed with its high-quality audio output. Standout infotainment features include:

• 8.4-inch infotainment system
• UConnect interface
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Aplin premium audio system
• AUX input
• Steering mounted controls

The design of the 2016 Cherokee is not so conventional and looks polarizing. The seven slate Jeep Grille’s design along with an unsettled hood at the front does give it a unique profile. The 18-inch alloy wheels, however, look good and complement the overall design. The design of the 2016 Jeep Cherokee makes it look unique and attractive and gives a completely exclusive appeal. In all, the 2016 Cherokee may not please everyone but does offer impressive build quality and a decent road presence. The LED headlamps at the front merge well with the design and have a decent throw in the night.

The 2016 Jeep Cherokee looks similar to most of the rivals but does have one of the biggest dimensions in the segment. It also weighs the heaviest, and it affects its acceleration and driving experience. It is bigger than the other rivals in every dimension, and the wheelbase also remains the longest, sharing the spot with the Mazda CX-5. Standout exterior features include:

• LED headlights
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• 7-Slat Grille
• Chrome inserts
• Electrically adjustable sunroof

Just like other cars from the brand’s lineup, the 2016 Jeep Cherokee is a highly safe car and comes with a long list of safety features and equipment. The build quality is great, and the car gets features like rear cross-traffic alert, active park assist, blind-spot monitoring, etc. In addition to this, the Cherokee is also said to have a highly reinforced body shell to keep the passengers safe in case of a crash. The car also passed the safety crash tests with flying colors. Standout safety features include:

• Rearview camera
• Rear cross-traffic alert system
• Lane Departure warning
• Blind Spot monitoring
• Active Park assist
• Forward collision alert
• Lane Keep Assist with Adaptive cruise control

So far, the 2016 Jeep Cherokee comes out to be a well-built and highly capable SUV in the segment. The engine options on offer with the Cherokee are powerful and give the vehicle impressive performance figures when compared to the rivals. In addition to this, the interior too is a nice place to be in and comes with a long list of features. The seats offer a comfortable experience. The exterior design, however, may not please everyone, but in all, you can not go wrong with your decision to buy the 2016 Jeep Cherokee.