Jeep Cherokee 2022 Review

The 2022 Jeep Cherokee is one of many small SUVs in a very competitive segment. All Cherokees offer a comfortable ride and good visibility. And Jeep offers five trim levels, so there's likely one that matches your budget or your desired level of off-road capability. If you plan on doing some off-roading with your Cherokee, we'd strongly suggest getting the Trailhawk version. Its raised suspension, special four-wheel-drive system and all-terrain tires really help out on rutted and rocky trails.

As capable as the Cherokee is, it's not the roomiest SUV in its class. Rivals such as the Honda CR-V and the Mazda CX-5 both offer more space and a bit more refinement. Since the Cherokee received a few updates for 2021, mainly in the form of additional standard features and advanced driver aids, we don't expect the 2022 model to be much different. Check out our Expert Rating to get our test team's full evaluation of the Cherokee's comfort, performance and more.

Which Cherokee does MatoCar recommend?

[Editor's note: The following information is based on last year's 2021 Cherokee. We expect the 2022 model will have a similar lineup and we'll update this section once we have complete information.] The Jeep Cherokee is a small SUV available in five main trim levels: Latitude, Latitude Plus, Latitude Lux, the rugged Trailhawk and the range-topping Limited. You might also see some designations such as Altitude or High Altitude, but these are essentially styling packages that add on to the main trims.

Most Cherokees come with standard front-wheel drive and offer four-wheel drive as an option. The exception is the Trailhawk, which has standard four-wheel drive.

Latitude The entry-level Latitude trim offers a basic yet comfortable package that comes with:

• 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (180 horsepower, 171 lb-ft of torque)
• Nine-speed automatic transmission
• Roof rails
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• 60/40-split rear seats
• 7-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration
• Six-speaker audio system
• Selec-Terrain management system (4x4 only)

Standard driver aids include:

• Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Lane keeping assist (steers the Cherokee back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)

Latitude Plus Adds more creature comforts such as:

• Foglights
• Windshield wiper de-icer
• Keyless entry and push-button start
• Remote start
• Heated front seats
• Heated leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Power-adjustable driver's seat
• Satellite radio
• Rear USB ports
• Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)

Latitude Lux This new trim level includes:

• 3.2-liter V6 engine (271 hp, 239 lb-ft) or optional turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (270 hp, 295 lb-ft)
• Leather upholstery
• Power-adjustable front passenger seat

Trailhawk Feature-wise, the off-road-oriented Trailhawk is similar to the Latitude Plus. But it does also come with:

• V6 engine only
• 8.4-inch touchscreen
• All-terrain tires
• Jeep Active Drive Lock with rock mode and locking rear axle

Limited Most luxurious trim in the Cherokee range boasts:

• Standard V6 or optional turbocharged four-cylinder engine
• 18-inch wheels
• Power liftgate
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Driver-seat memory settings
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Nine-speaker premium audio system
• Upgraded driver information display
• Panoramic sunroof
• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Jeep and the car in front, even in heavy traffic)

Many of the extra standard features on the upper trims can be added to the lower trims as options. Other main options include:

• Altitude, High Altitude and 80th Anniversary subtrim levels
• Add either dark gray or black styling accents and wheels plus a few extra features

• Elite package (Limited trim only)
• Ventilated front seats
• Heated rear seats
• Hands-free liftgate
• Integrated navigation system

• Trailer tow package
• Class III receiver hitch
• Seven-pin wiring harness
• Upgraded engine cooling