We know from spy photos that the refreshed 2019 Jeep Cherokee will (finally) ditch its awkward stacked headlamps, instead adopting a conventional setup that doesn’t make the vehicle look like it’s squinting. The look is more in keeping with the second-generation Compass and Grand Cherokee.
Expect very little outcry over this sensible and long overdue decision.
However, an updated fascia isn’t the only change in store for 2019. The midcycle revamp also brings a new powerplant sourced from the 2018 Jeep Wrangler, documents show.
Thanks to the sleuthing of Bozi Tatarevic, we now know that the Cherokee’s engine family grows by one member for 2019. Joining the lineup, no doubt as an option for uplevel trims, is the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder found in the next-generation Wrangler. (That model debuted last week in Los Angeles to buckets of saliva from amassed journos.)
With a 48-volt mild hybrid system aiding both acceleration and fuel economy, the new 2.0-liter stands to sit atop the Cherokee powertrain summit. Its 270 horsepower is only 1 hp less than that of the 3.2-liter V6 found in the top-flight Cherokee Overland, but its 295 lb-ft of torque out-twists the smaller Pentastar by 56 lb-ft.
The same 2019 VIN code guide reveals the ancient 2.4-liter four-cylinder retains its 184 hp rating, presumably with the same 171 lb-ft of torque. When Fiat Chrysler finds a low-cost component that works, any changes are usually few and far between.
The Cherokee remains a strong seller for Jeep, though volume has tapered off some since the reborn model’s peak in 2015. Sales of the compact crossover rose 44.2 percent in November, year-over-year. Over the first 11 months of 2017, however, sales are down 17.9 percent.
[Image: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]
Any changes to the sloppy 9 speed Trans. ????
Ask Acura.. they use the same one.
FCA also uses the same 8HP as BMW, but the FCA implementation is crap. Just because both came from ZF doesn’t mean they all work the same.
Toni, the 9 speed is the problematic one and goes into Cherokee, Acuras and higher trims Pilots and Ridgeline. The 8 speed which has been great goes into Charger/Challenger, Grand Cherokee, BMWs, Ram and others I am missing.
No 9 speed in any Ridgeline (all the traditional Honda 6 speed – which is good) but I agree the ZF 8 speed is great in most FCA applications…Especially vehicles like the RAM EcoDiesel…Best tranny I’ve ever owned.
The 9-speed ZF is also in the transverse-engined J / LR products: the Land Rover Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque, and presumably the upcoming Jaguar E-PACE.
How, pray tell, is FCA’s implementation of the ZF 8HP transmission “crap”?
MSL, Toni mixed up the 9 speed and 8 speed.
I didn’t think they could make the thing any uglier, but they proved me wrong.
Agree, that’s a face for radio. Can’t find a more disturbing looking vehicle currently on sale
I guess you have not seen a Nissan Juke.
Um… You do realize the header photo is of the current model, right?
The 2019 Cherokee hasn’t been unveiled yet, but spy shots point to a thoroughly conventional GC/Compass-like front end treatment.
Link to the source?
Interesting. We will see what they can do with this new engine. Would be great if FCA’s mainstream cars weren’t so overweight. Looking forward to seeing the 48V mild hybrid implementation elsewhere.
Hopefully they will find more cargo space in the new design too. The new Compass has more cargo area than the current Cherokee.
This is just a refresh so probably same cargo room.
By all means, let’s applaud making all the vehicles in a lineup look like differently sized models of the same design. There’s no way aesthetics could be subjective.
That is what BMW, Mercedes and Audi do.
“We know from spy photos” – and not publish those photos? Puleeeze.
Those of us who actually bought a Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk really “like” the squinty look of a hawk … in keeping with the “trailhawk” design offroad package it is famous for! It gives this vehicle a “bad ass” look to it. Granted it doesn’t look like the Grand Cherokee or the Compass, but then those are “Soccer Mom” cars …
The Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk was designed for Adventure!
Treasure it, embrace it … love it!
There’s nothing wrong with the headlights …
IMO current Cherokee Trailhawks look amazing.
I saw one at the dealer in the olive green with dark grey / gunmetal wheels…it looks like something the SEALS would use to conquer Mars. I just stared at it for several minutes.
Now that’s what I’m talking about!