Cherokee

Make
Jeep
Segment
SUV

The Jeep Cherokee was given a refresh for the 2019 model year with revised styling and a new 2.0-liter turbocharged unit borrowed from its rugged Wrangler sibling. It also comes equipped with 80 available advanced safety and security features, which Jeep says will carry over for the 2020 model year.

Speaking of safety, the 2019 Jeep Cherokee has been awarded a 2019 Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. There are a few catches, however: the award only applies to models that were built after April 2019 with optional front crash prevention tech and specific headlights.

To qualify for a 2019 Top Safety Pick award, a vehicle has to earn good ratings in the driver-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests. It also has to earn an acceptable or good rating in the passenger-side small overlap front test, as well as an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention and be equipped with acceptable or good headlights.

While earlier models were given a marginal rating in the driver-side small overlap front test and were never evaluated in the passenger-side test, the 2019 Jeep Cherokee now earns good ratings in the six IIHS crash-worthiness tests, including the driver-side and passenger-side small overlap tests that simulate certain frontal impacts. Jeep made key engineering changes to the 2019 Cherokee that contributed to its Top Safety Pick rating, including high-strength-steel upgrades to the A-pillar and hinge-pillar.

The Cherokee's optional front crash prevention system also earned a superior rating, as its autobrake system successfully avoided collisions in both the 12 and 25 mph IIHS track tests. Cherokees built after April 2019 can also be equipped with optional high-beam assist, which earned an acceptable headlight rating. However, Cherokees built after April without the high-beam assist earn a marginal rating, while Cherokees built before May earn a marginal or poor headlight rating.

"This latest award is solid recognition for the Jeep Cherokee, an SUV that is not only recognized for being the most capable vehicle in its class but also packed with more than 80 advanced safety and security features and benchmark 4x4 systems to help consumers tackle any terrain in all weather conditions," says Jim Morrison, Head of Jeep Brand – FCA North America. "Jeep Cherokee provides the confidence and security to handle any journey."