2020 Jeep Cherokee Review: Trailhawk
Content
- Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 9/10
- Is there anything interesting about its design? 7/10
- How practical is the interior space? 7/10
- What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 7/10
- How much fuel does it consume? 5/10
- What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10
- How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10
- What is it like to drive? 7/10
- Verdict
So, you've seen the main players in midsize SUVs and are looking for something… a little different.
You might even be looking for something with some off-road ability, and that may have made you stay away from segment heavyweights like the Hyundai Tucson, Toyota RAV4, or Mazda CX-5.
Am I right so far? Maybe you're just curious to know what one of the main Jeep models has to offer in 2020. Anyway, I spent a week in this top-of-the-line Trailhawk to see if it's the semi-SUV it looks like or if it stands a chance against the main players.
| Jeep Cherokee 2020: Trailhawk (4 × 4) | |
|---|---|
| Safety Rating | - |
| engine's type | 3.2L |
| fuel type | Regular unleaded gasoline |
| Fuel efficiency | 10.2l / 100km |
| Landing | 5 Places |
| Price from | $36,900 |
Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 9/10
Does it represent good value for money? In a word: Yes.
Let's take a look. The Trailhawk is the most expensive Cherokee you can buy, but for $48.450 you get a bunch of gear. In fact, you'll get more features than most of its main mid-to-high spec competitors.
The question is, do you want it. That's because while the Cherokee can tick off key midsize specs, its real advantage lies in the off-road gear nestled underneath.
The Trailhawk is the most expensive Cherokee you can buy.
It's one of the very few front-wheel-drive, transverse-engined SUVs to feature a locking rear differential, a low-down transfer case, and some pretty serious computer-controlled off-road modes.
An impressive piece if you're ever going to take it with you on sand or clamber over gravel, potentially of little value if there's no chance you'll be doing any of that.
The standard travel kit includes an 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen.
Regardless, the standard road kit is great. The kit includes LED headlights, leather seats, keyless entry and push start, 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite navigation and DAB+ digital radio, automatic wipers, anti-glare rearview mirror and 17-inch alloy wheels. .
These wheels may seem a little small by high-end off-road standards, but they are more off-road oriented.
Our car was also equipped with the "Premium Package" ($2950) which adds some luxury touches such as heated and cooled power-controlled front seats with memory, carpeted boot floor, remote control for active cruise (more on this in security section of this review) and black painted wheels.
The premium package includes black painted wheels.
Is there anything interesting about its design? 7/10
Part of me wants to love Cherokee. It's a refreshing modern take on Jeep's midsize formula. There's another part of me that thinks it's a bit soft around the edges with too much influence from the likes of the latest generation RAV4s, especially at the rear. A smaller, more confident part of me says it's like a car that would drive a hamburger.
But you can't deny that black paint with black and gray highlights looks tough. Raised plastic bumpers, small wheels and red powder-coated escape hooks speak to this SUV's off-road ambitions. And the package is nicely rounded off by LED headlights front and rear that cut corners on this car.
The package is nicely complemented by LED lights front and rear.
Inside, it's still very… American, but it's been toned down considerably from previous Jeep offerings. There are almost no truly terrible plastics now, with an abundance of soft-touch surfaces and pleasant points of interaction.
The steering wheel is still chunky and wrapped in leather, and the multimedia screen is an impressive and striking unit that takes center stage on the dashboard.
My main gripe with the cockpit is the chunky A-pillar that eats into your peripheral vision a bit, but otherwise it's a chic design.
Cherokee is a modern take on Jeep's midsize formula.
How practical is the interior space? 7/10
Plushness creates a comfortable environment, especially for front passengers, who benefit (in this case) from power-adjustable seats, a telescopically adjustable steering column, and faux-leather-trimmed soft surfaces just about everywhere.
Softness creates a comfortable environment.
There are small bottle holders in the doors, large bottle holders in the center console, a large box in the armrest and a small chute in front of the gear lever. Unfortunately, the Cherokee lacks the hidden under-seat compartment found on the smaller Compass.
Rear seat passengers get a decent but not impressive amount of space. I am 182 cm tall and had little room for my knees and head. There are small bottle holders in the doors, pockets on the backs of both front seats, a set of movable air vents and USB ports on the rear of the center console, and large bottle holders in the drop-down armrest.
Rear seat passengers get a decent but not impressive amount of space.
The seat trim all around is to be commended for being ultra-soft and comfortable, though not very supportive.
The second row is on rails, allowing maximum use of loading space if required.
Speaking of trunk, it's hard to compare with other models because Jeep insists on using the SAE standard rather than the VDA standard (because one is more or less a liquid measurement and the other is made up of cubes, they can't be converted). Whatever the case, the Cherokee easily accommodated all three of our luggage set, so it at least has competitive standard trunk capacity.
The Cherokee at least has competitive standard trunk space.
The floor in our Trailhawk was carpeted, and a trunk lid comes as standard. It is worth noting how high the trunk floor is from the ground. This limits the available space, but is required for a full-size spare tire hidden under the floor, which is essential for drivers traveling long distances.
What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 7/10
Here the Cherokee showcases its stellar heritage with a rather old-school powertrain.
Under the hood is a 3.2-liter Pentastar naturally aspirated V6. It puts out 200kW/315Nm, which, as you may have noticed, is not much more than many turbocharged 2.0-liter alternatives these days.
If you were hoping for a diesel as a more attractive long-distance option, out of luck, the Trailhawk is a V6 petrol only.
Under the hood is a 3.2-liter Pentastar naturally aspirated V6.
The engine may not be at odds with a modern nine-speed torque converter automatic transmission, and the Trailhawk is one of the few front-shift cars on a ladderless chassis that has a crawler gear and rear differential lock.
Trailhawk drives all four wheels.
How much fuel does it consume? 5/10
In the spirit of keeping hard-won fuel conglomerates in business, this V6 is as voracious as it sounds. This is exacerbated by the fact that the Trailhawk weighs around two tons.
The official claimed/combined figure is already low at 10.2 l/100 km, but our weekly test showed a figure of 12.0 l/100 km. It's a bad look when many midsize Cherokee competitors show at least a one-digit range, even in actual tests.
In a small concession, you'll be able to fill up (irritatingly often) with entry-level 91RON unleaded petrol. The Cherokee has a 60 liter fuel tank.
Our weekly test showed fuel consumption of 12.0 l/100 km.
What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10
In its latest update, the Cherokee received an active safety package consisting of automatic emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and active cruise control.
The Trailhawk Premium Pack adds remote control (using a button on the steering wheel).
In its latest update, Cherokee got an active security package.
The Cherokee is also equipped with six airbags, a reversing camera and parking sensors. It has two ISOFIX child seat attachment points on the outer rear seats.
Only four-cylinder Cherokee models have passed the ANCAP safety test (and received a maximum of five stars in 2015). This six-cylinder version does not have the current ANCAP safety rating.
Warranty and safety rating
Basic Warranty
5 years / 100,000 km
guarantee
How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10
Over the past few years, Jeep has increased its commitment to car ownership with what it calls the Round Trip Guarantee. This includes a five-year/100,000 km warranty and an associated limited price service program.
It is a pity that the warranty is limited in distance, but in time it is on par with Japanese manufacturers. While the price-limited maintenance program is welcome, it's almost twice as expensive as the equivalent RAV4.
Jeep has upped its promise of "round trip warranty" ownership.
According to Jeep's online calculator, service charges for this particular option ranged from $495 to $620.
Roadside assistance is offered after the warranty period, provided you continue to service your vehicle at an authorized Jeep dealership.
What is it like to drive? 7/10
The Cherokee rides pretty much the way it looks, soft and murikan.
As thirsty as it is to drink a V6, it's fun to drive in some retro style. It makes a lot of angry noises and takes off too easily in the rev range (into fuel), although despite this, you may notice that you are not going particularly fast all the time.
A lot of that has to do with the sheer weight of the Cherokee. Not great for fuel economy, it has benefits for comfort and refinement.
As thirsty as it is to drink a V6, it's fun to drive in some retro style.
On pavement and even on gravel surfaces, the cabin is impressively quiet. Road noise or suspension rumble is barely audible, and even the fury of the V6 is more like a distant hum.
Gravity takes its toll in corners, where the Cherokee hardly feels like a confident rider. However, the steering is light and the long-travel suspension is soft and forgiving. This creates a refreshing off-road experience that focuses on comfort over sportiness.
It's also a nice contrast to many mainstream competitors who seem obsessed with making midsize family SUVs handle like sports sedans or hatchbacks.
The off-road performance test was a little outside of our regular weekly test, although a few gravel runs only confirmed my confidence in the comfortable suspension setup and the stability of the standard XNUMXWD on the track. sentence.
The off-road performance test went a little beyond our usual weekly test.
Verdict
The Cherokee may not be going to tempt anyone who drives a mainstream midsize family SUV. But for those who live on the fringes, who are really looking for something different, there is a lot to offer here.
This offer is backed up by Cherokee's unique off-road equipment and attractive price tag, but be aware that it's outdated in more than one respect...
