Minty Fresh, Mainstream Flavor: How the Refreshed 2019 Jeep Cherokee Has Changed [Video]

Think “Jeep Cherokee”, and the first thing that likely springs to your mind is its polarizing front end. FCA took a bold step back in 2013 when it dropped the “Liberty” nameplate and revived the Cherokee. Those who preferred the chunky, boxy styling of the old XJ may not have liked the unconventional KL Cherokee one bit. Now, though, FCA has a fix for that. Actually, they’ve changed and improved many different parts of the refreshed 2019 Jeep Cherokee. Watch the video above for everything that’s changed! Below are the top 10 changes FCA made to the new Cherokee:

Refreshed 2019 Jeep Cherokee
2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk [Photo: FCA]

10) A much more conventional face

If you weren’t a fan of the old Cherokee’s lighting setup, you’ll find this refreshed model a breath of fresh air. Now, the Cherokee has a traditional headlight assembly. An LED strip runs just above the projector headlights, rather than as its own piece. What do you think of FCA’s move to revamp the Cherokee’s front end? Let us know in the comments!

9) The Cherokee’s been on a diet

Jeep has put the Cherokee on a diet. They’ve made small changes throughout the car, such as the revised hood. The aluminum hood has shed 20 pounds off the new Cherokee’s total weight. As a result of the weight saving measures, the refreshed 2019 Jeep Cherokee weighs about 150 pounds less than the outgoing model.

8) No more fuel cap

In the 2019 Jeep Cherokee, you no longer have to untwist the fuel cap when you go to fill up.

7) Wave foot, open tailgate

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee’s jumping on the foot-opening tailgate action. Just swing your foot under the bumper if your hands are full, and voila! The tailgate opens without setting everything down to press the button on the tailgate or fishing for the key fob. Of course, the Jeep isn’t the first car to have this feature, but its one some owners may find helpful.

Refreshed 2019 Jeep Cherokee
2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited [Photo: FCA]

6) More room for all your adventures

Now you can take even more gear on your outdoorsy adventures! That, or you can get a set of golf clubs in the back without having to bend them. The new Cherokee has a roomier interior, as Jeep has repackaged the layout to make it more efficient.

5) More weight savings around the back

As with the front end, Jeep also redesigned the rear end of the Cherokee. It has revised tail lights, but the tailgate itself is also lighter. It’s made from a composite material. As a result, the new Cherokee shed another 18 pounds off its total weight.

Refreshed 2019 Jeep Cherokee
2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk

4) Every Cherokee in the lineup comes with LEDs

In pursuit of a more mainstream look, FCA changed the refreshed 2019 Jeep Cherokee’s headlight design. More than that, though, they’ve also shortened the grille by about an inch. It’s more steeply raked to get rid of the polarizing “beak” aesthetic. All Jeep Cherokee models will also have LED lights, achieving a more conventional, mature look.

3) What a difference a rear diff can make

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk retains its rear locking differential option, as well as Jeep’s Active Drive four-wheel drive system. That, in itself, makes the Cherokee a capable off-road animal. However, that’s not all – you can also spec the new Cherokee with a 52.1:1 crawl ratio (48.3:1 with the Pentastar V6), which can only improve its terrain-conquering ability. The Cherokee is currently the only car in its class that sports a locking rear differential.

Refreshed 2019 Jeep Cherokee
FCA’s 4th-generation Uconnect system [Photo: FCA]

2) Stay Connected with FCA’s 4th-Generation Uconnect

The revised Jeep Cherokee features FCA’s 4th-generation Uconnect system – arguably one of the best infotainment systems currently available. There’s a nice 8-inch screen, and the system supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. By itself, the Uconnect system sports all the features you need, and is intuitive to use.

1) A new, turbocharged heart

Finally, the most significant change to the 2019 Jeep Cherokee has to be its new heart. Under the hood, there’s an all-new 2.0-liter, turbocharged inline-four cylinder. That engine kicks out 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The Pentastar V6 will still be available on the new Cherokee, as well.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee is made right here in America at FCA’s Belvidere, Illinois plant. The refreshed Cherokee will go on sale in the first quarter of this year. EPA figures haven’t been announced at time of writing for any of the powerplants. FCA hasn’t announced pricing either, but expect a slight price bump over the outgoing model – starting around $25,000 for a base-level Latitude.

What do you think of the 2019 Jeep Cherokee! Let us know in the comments. As always, stay tuned to TFLcar.com for more news, views, and real-world reviews. Subscribe to The Fast Lane Car and TFLnow on YouTube for the latest videos on your favorite new models!

If you want to see some real, wheel-in-the-air off-road action, check out the new Cherokee Trailhawk in our First Dirt video on TFLnow below. Our full off-road review is coming soon!

Correction 1/25/18: The article incorrectly implied that the previous generation Cherokee was not available with a rear locker. The 2019 Cherokee Trailhawk retains the rear locking differential option. The new Cherokee also features Jeep’s Active Drive four-wheel drive system with a single-speed or two-speed Power Transfer Unit, depending on the model.