2019 Jeep Cherokee Latitude

The Cherokee is Jeep's compact crossover, slotting between the Renegade and the Grand Cherokee with a unibody design that still offers real off-road chops. It competes with the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Ford Escape, but stands apart with its available Trailhawk trim and genuine trail capability. On the road, the Cherokee feels composed and stable, with a ride that absorbs most bumps, though the transmission can occasionally hesitate when you ask for quick acceleration. Inside, the cabin is well-built with comfortable seats and a user-friendly touchscreen, but cargo space is tighter than some rivals offer. Owners praise the Cherokee's fuel economy, stylish interior, and the Active Drive system's terrain settings that make it a confident companion in snow and mud. The Latitude is the base trim, so you get the essentials like the 7-inch Uconnect touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cloth seats, and 17-inch steel wheels. Its 2.4L I4 makes 184 horsepower and pairs with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which is smooth enough around town but can hunt for gears on steep grades. The Latitude comes standard with front-wheel drive, but you can add Jeep's Active Drive I single-speed 4WD for better traction in rain or light snow.