2023 Jeep Cherokee Review

Jeep has been a name synonymous with marvelous performance. This off-road focused compact lineup doesn’t disappoint on the performance front, but fuel efficiency is extremely poor. The cabin makes you feel comfortable, but the large exterior dimension doesn’t get reflected in the not-so-roomy cabin and cargo space. There are a bunch of standard and available safety features to please the modern buyer. Overall, it’s a mixed bag, and you have to know your priorities first to decide whether this model is the right one for you.

The V-6 engine available in previous models is no longer there, but that hasn’t impacted performance. Trailhawk is one of the best off-road compact crossover SUVs out there. Both the trim levels do well on city roads and unfavorable roads, which make them truly versatile.

Engine

For this year onwards, Jeep has introduced a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine, with an output of 270 hp. This engine is available in the top trim, i.e, Trailhawk. The base trim Altitude Lux is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, with an output of 180 hp.

Transmission

The engines are paired with nine-speed automatic transmission.

Suspension

The vehicle comes with front struts and multilink rear suspension. The suspension is firm. It controls body rolls effectively to maintain a comfortable ride quality and makes the ride feel smooth even with jittery road conditions.

Steering

The steering is accurate, well-weighted, and balanced. It gives feedback on the road texture to the driver, but the experience could have been a bit more enhanced. Heated and electric power steering are standard in this vehicle.

The vehicle is yet to receive a safety rating from NHTSA or IIHS. However, by looking at its standard safety features, you’ll understand that Jeep has prioritized driver’s and passengers’ safety in every possible way.

Brakes

The vehicle comes with 13-inch vented disc front brakes and 12.6-inch rear disc brakes. A top feature in Cherokee is the emergency braking, along with a firm brake pedal that comes in handy in serious situations.

Airbags

Cherokee is equipped with dual front side-mount airbags and head airbags for front and rear seats. These, along with airbag deployment notification, are part of the standard offering.

Electronics

Some of the notable standard electronic features include blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, pre and post-collision safety systems, stability control, 4-wheel ABS, and remote anti-theft alarm system, to mention a few.

Lights

Daytime running lights, front fog lights, dusk sensing headlamps, and LED headlamps are available as standard.

Traction control

The 2023 Jeep Cherokee comes with standard traction control, which comes in handy when you’re driving on slippery roads.

Fuel economy is not the strongest suit of the 2023 Jeep Cherokee. Despite getting rid of the V-6 engine, Cherokee’s fuel economy numbers don’t seem attractive. At a time when buyers are heavily looking for vehicles with low fuel consumption, Cherokee doesn’t seem to be a good pick.

Engine size 

The base engine is of 2.4 liters capacity, and Trailhawk’s engine is a turbocharged 2-liter one. Both are four-cylinder engines.

Gas per mileage consumption

Cherokee’s fuel economy is subpar. In general, you’d expect compact crossover SUVs to offer high fuel efficiency, but unfortunately, that’s not the case with this Jeep lineup. The base 180 hp engine offers 21 mpg in city and 29 mpg on highway. The 270 hp engine of Trailhawk offers 20 mpg in city and 26 mpg on highway.

The interior is cozy and equipped with necessary tech features. Even though the vehicle is larger in size as compared to regular compact models, the interior doesn’t reflect that—it feels rather cramped.

Seats

It has a seating capacity of 5. The vehicle’s front seat has 41.1 inches legroom, while the rear seats have 40.3 inches. Both the seats are comfortable in terms of build quality. Premium leather upholstery is available as standard, and so are 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat with height adjustment and lumbar support, front passenger seat with lumbar support, and multi-level heating available for both driver’s and front passenger’s seat. Now coming to the rear seats, Jeep offers standard reclining seats with a folding armrest.

Design

For the Jeep Cherokee, the automaker deviates from its traditional design and opts for a more family-friendly styling that is attractive nonetheless.

Infotainment 

Cherokee’s infotainment system is top-notch. An 8.4’’ display comes as standard, along with 6 speakers, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and USB port in the rear seats. Everything is thoughtfully designed and the system is easy to navigate, ensuring you have good in-car entertainment while you’re on long drives.

Overall height and space

The vehicle is 182 inches long, 73.2 inches wide, and its height is 66.2 inches.

Trunk space

When all seats are up, the base cargo area is 25.8 cubic feet. You can expand this to 54.7 cubic feet by folding down the second row. For a high-end compact SUV, this much trunk space is not adequate. Honda CR-V, a notable competitor, offers a far more spacious trunk space.

Let’s be real—despite the off-road capacity and a suite of tech features, Cherokee is expensive for a compact SUV. If space is a concern for you, you might choose midsize SUVs in this range. But if you’re looking for a compact off-road vehicle and you have the budget, Cherokee is a good pick, despite the high pricing.

Jeep Cherokee doesn’t confuse you with a host of trim levels—there are only two options, both of which are good deals for their price tag. However, if you have to own a Cherokee, the best option would be the Trailhawk. It’s equipped with a powerful engine, high ground clearance, excellent off-road capacity, and higher fuel efficiency—you won’t regret paying a few thousand extra for the top trim.

AWD/FWD

Both Altitude Lux and Trailhawk come with standard all-wheel drive.

Warranty 

The vehicle is backed by a limited warranty of 3 years or 36,000 miles, along with a powertrain warranty of 5 years or 60,000 miles. While none of these are chart-busting offers, Jeep attempts to make the deal sweeter by offering complimentary maintenance for the first 3 years of purchase.

Extras

The lineup has a maximum towing capacity of up to 4000 pounds. This is applicable on Trailhawk models that opt for the Tow Group package as an optional add-on.