2019 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus

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. Stepping up to the Latitude Plus from the base Latitude adds LED headlamps, fog lamps, a leather-wrapped wheel, and power-adjustable driver's seat, making it a nicer daily driver without jumping to the Limited's price. This Latitude Plus runs the 2.4L I4 making 184 horsepower with two-wheel drive, which is adequate for around-town driving but feels strained on steep highway grades. The Latitude Plus skips the Trailhawk's off-road hardware, so expect a smoother on-road ride but no rock-crawling ability.