The sales are raising, but the problems are still there. It seems like the new 2020 Jeep Cherokee is coming unchanged for the upcoming season. The vehicle is not too old. It debuted five years ago, and it already suffered a facelift. Jeep will definitely shift focus on other models in crossover and SUV lineups until the sales of the compact model start to decrease. The new Cherokee will carry over all the advantages you are can found in the current edition. The main strength is definitely the range of trim levels. Still, we expect some improvements on the crossover to make the offer even more attractive.
This is the fifth generation of the compact vehicle. The 2020 Jeep Cherokee KL is 182 inches long. Off-road capabilities are better than for the most other models in the same class. However, the Cherokee is not a true 4×4 vehicle such as Wrangler. The company needs to improve the fuel economy and the base offer. Other segments on the Cherokee crossover are making the SUV capable to fight for more buyers in the compact class. Well, last year its sales were increased by 100 percent. The new season brings new challenges, and the unchanged model will hardly achieve the same success.
Redesign – What Should 2020 Jeep Cherokee Improve?
The 2020 Jeep Cherokee will be a reliable and powerful unit. But, it will carry over downsides from its predecessors. The KL generation was launched in 2014 and ever since the vehicle went through a mid-cycle refresh. That is the main reason for the sales boost. Cherokee is still modern, but it can’t last for too much. In 2020 we will see no changes, but the following season could bring the large redesign.
Some lacks are already notable. With every year pass without fixing them, Cherokee will lose the pace with its rivals. Poor fuel economy is probably the major issue. Still, there are also not so great cargo volume and safety. Both of these segments need a lot of improvements. Well, Jeep is trying to fix things by offering extra accessories through additional packages. However, these are not cheap upgrades. The infotainment system is still cool, with 7-inch display and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity for smartphones.
Drivetrains
The 2020 Jeep Cherokee is going to offer the same engine squad as its predecessor. There are three options under the hood. For such a vehicle, it gives a lot of options for buyers. The standard setup is pairing a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission. We will talk later about the gearbox, that transfers power for other two drivetrains as well. The entry-level model is pretty potent with 180 hp coming from 2.4-liter displacement.
The alternative is a 3.2-liter V6 unit. Jeep is not going to use a larger 3.6-l displacement. The smaller mill is still powerful enough to provide 270 hp and 240 lb-ft of torque. Properly equipped, this engine has a towing capacity of 4,500 pounds. Without trailer and tow packages, the rating drops to 2,000 pounds. The latest addition to the lineup is a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This one is the most powerful one at the moment. With 270 hp and 295 lb-ft, it tops the performance of a V6 unit.
As said, the main problem for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee will be a ZF transmission. This is an old case which is not working smoothly. It is also one of the reasons for the poor fuel economy. The base model with FWD setup and the 2.4-l engine returns only 22 mpg in urban areas. Well, it can make 31 mpg outside the crowded streets. A V6 increases the consumption to 23 mpg combined. So, definitely, Jeep has to do something about it. Fans and experts recommend them to start from the nine-speed gearbox.
Which Trim Levels the 2020 Jeep Cherokee Will Offer?
While we are waiting for the redesign, the new Cherokee will be offered in nine different trim levels. Latitude is an entry-level crossover. The turbo engine is not available for this and Altitude Plus trims. But, it becomes an option for the upper-grade Upland and Altitude. The first one is available with 4×4 drive only. The 2020 Jeep Cherokee Limited is the first model that costs over $30,000. High Altitude adds some premium features that will make the price go up.
The most exciting version is the Trailhawk. This off-road specialist is using an all-wheel drive and costs around $35,000. If you want to boost other options besides the off-road capabilities, Jeep is offering the most expensive Trailhawk Elite trim. Between these two you will find the most exclusive Overland with unique colors and 19-inch wheels. Inside, you will get an 8.4-inch touchscreen display with navigation. There are some rumors that 2020 Jeep Cherokee SRT could be the only refresh for the lineup. It is currently available for the larger sibling, Grand Cherokee. However, besides speculations, there is not too much left about this model.
Source: Autowise
