FCA has released official photos of the 2019 Jeep Cherokee, sans-squinty DRLs and bulbous headlights.
When the Cherokee nameplate returned to the SUV fold after a twelve year absence, supplanting the Liberty, fans rejoiced. They rejoiced, that is, until they saw the front end. Sure, the 2014 Cherokee, introduced at the 2013 New York International Auto Show, had the traditional seven-slotted grille. However, with LED running lights flanking the grille’s top and huge, bulbous headlights below – a la Nissan Juke – the styling was contentious, to say the least. Despite that, Jeep sales increased year-on-year since the KL Cherokee’s introduction.
Now, after the industry standard four years, it’s time for a refresh. If you weren’t a fan of the original KL Cherokee’s styling, then we have some good news! Today, FCA released new photos of the 2019 Jeep Cherokee, with much more conventional (some would argue better) styling. The waterfall-style seven-slotted grille remains, but the headlights and turn signals join the LED running lights in one assembly. The smaller fog lights have moved up the bumper where the headlights used to be, for a more conventional look.
The interior’s been mildly revised to more closely resemble its siblings in the lineup
Inside, there’s not much to report on the 2019 Jeep Cherokee, at least from the images FCA provided. It looks like the selector knob for the Cherokee’s four-wheel-drive system has been moved to match its smaller siblings, the Compass and the Renegade. The climate vents have also been revised slightly to provide a more angular dashboard fascia, from the squared vents of the outgoing model. The climate controls and infotainment stack remain largely the same. Naturally, we expect the 2019 Jeep Cherokee to incorporate the latest version of FCA’s UConnect system.
More changes around the back
Around the back, FCA also made some styling changes to make the 2019 Jeep Cherokee a more conventional SUV. LEDs comprise the taillamp assembly (at least in Limited models), and they arranged the brake lights so they boomerang around the turn signals and reverse lights. The license plate has been moved up to an indentation within the tailgate, rather than underneath it, as it was before.
Based on the pictures above, it looks like the 2019 Jeep Cherokee will carry the same trim levels as the previous version. Currently, you can buy the Cherokee in Latitude, Limited, Trailhawk, and Overland guise. These pictures at least show the Limited and Trailhawk, but we’d expect a new base-level Latitude to join the lineup as well.
FCA hasn’t provided any more info on the new Cherokee at time of writing, other than these pictures. However, the 2019 Jeep Cherokee will join the rest of the lineup at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Additional information for the new model will be available January 16, 2018. Join us for our 2018 NAIAS coverage for more on the new Cherokee and other exciting new models! Subscribe to The Fast Lane Car and TFLnow on YouTube for live videos and first impressions of all the new cars revealed in Detroit.
