Once upon a time, sport-utility vehicles were covered in mud, traversing streams and doing it all in the face of frugality. In the decades since, though, most car shoppers have realized that more sensible crossover SUVs are the way to go for everyday use. Jeep has tried to apply its off-roading heritage to some of its more civilized small crossovers (think Compass and Patriot), but the results have been disappointing. Thankfully, the 2015 Jeep Cherokee finally does come close to delivering the best of both real-world usability and capable off-road performance.
A crossover SUV, the 2015 Jeep Cherokee comes in Sport, Latitude, Trailhawk and Limited trim levels. This is the Limited.
That real-world usability starts with the Cherokee's quiet, comfortable and even plush ride quality compared with that of some other small crossovers. The well-laid-out interior is another bonus, and it comes with some fantastic standard and optional tech features. We're also fond of the Cherokee's optional V6 engine, which is smooth and has plenty of power and decent fuel economy ratings. Once the pavement ends, Jeep has you covered with the Cherokee Trailhawk trim level. With low-range gearing and special equipment like a locking rear differential, the Trailhawk can go much farther off-road than your standard all-wheel-drive crossover.
The Cherokee is likable, no doubt, but there are a few deficiencies worth noting. Despite its upscale interior, it may not be the best option if you frequently need to transport a lot of stuff. While the backseat is roomy for passengers, the rear cargo area is relatively small in comparison. Rivals are roomier, especially with the rear seats folded. Also, the Cherokee's four-cylinder engine is a mediocre performer, and the nine-speed automatic transmission can be annoyingly reluctant to downshift while at cruising speeds.
If you don't find the Cherokee quite to your liking, the 2015 Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, 2015 Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4 are all excellent choices for this class. The CR-V and RAV4 have considerably more interior space than the Cherokee, while the CX-5 and Escape are more enjoyable to drive, thanks to their sharper steering and handling. The Subaru Forester and XV Crosstrek might also be worth a look, given their better-than-average off-road abilities. Overall, though, the 2015 Cherokee is the best small Jeep not named Wrangler that we've driven in a long time.
A crossover SUV, the 2015 Jeep Cherokee comes in Sport, Latitude, Trailhawk and Limited trim levels. This is the Limited.
That real-world usability starts with the Cherokee's quiet, comfortable and even plush ride quality compared with that of some other small crossovers. The well-laid-out interior is another bonus, and it comes with some fantastic standard and optional tech features. We're also fond of the Cherokee's optional V6 engine, which is smooth and has plenty of power and decent fuel economy ratings. Once the pavement ends, Jeep has you covered with the Cherokee Trailhawk trim level. With low-range gearing and special equipment like a locking rear differential, the Trailhawk can go much farther off-road than your standard all-wheel-drive crossover.
The Cherokee is likable, no doubt, but there are a few deficiencies worth noting. Despite its upscale interior, it may not be the best option if you frequently need to transport a lot of stuff. While the backseat is roomy for passengers, the rear cargo area is relatively small in comparison. Rivals are roomier, especially with the rear seats folded. Also, the Cherokee's four-cylinder engine is a mediocre performer, and the nine-speed automatic transmission can be annoyingly reluctant to downshift while at cruising speeds.
If you don't find the Cherokee quite to your liking, the 2015 Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, 2015 Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4 are all excellent choices for this class. The CR-V and RAV4 have considerably more interior space than the Cherokee, while the CX-5 and Escape are more enjoyable to drive, thanks to their sharper steering and handling. The Subaru Forester and XV Crosstrek might also be worth a look, given their better-than-average off-road abilities. Overall, though, the 2015 Cherokee is the best small Jeep not named Wrangler that we've driven in a long time.
Performance & mpg
Standard on all 2015 Jeep Cherokees is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 184 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque. Optional on all but the base Sport is a 3.2-liter V6 that makes 271 hp and 239 lb-ft of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission is standard with both engines.
You have your choice of front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive with either engine, but Trailhawk models are 4WD only. Jeep offers two 4WD systems. Standard on four-wheel-drive Sport, Latitude and Limited models is the light-duty Active Drive I 4WD system; it requires no input from the driver and is suitable for driving in wintry conditions. Standard on the Trailhawk and optional on other 4WD Jeep Cherokees is the more deluxe Active Drive II system, which features low-range gearing to give the vehicle extra capability in off-road situations. The Trailhawk also has a locking rear differential to aid progress on rough terrain.
In addition, four-wheel-drive Cherokees feature a Selec-Terrain dial with selectable Auto, Snow, Sport and Sand/Mud modes to optimize traction; the Trailhawk features an additional Rock mode. Hill start assist is standard on all Cherokees, but only the Trailhawk has hill descent control. A tow package is available on all 2015 Jeep Cherokees, and with it included, V6 models have a healthy 4,500-pound towing capacity when properly equipped.
This the Selec-Terrain dial you'll find in most four-wheel-drive Cherokees. The Trailhawk version also has a Rock mode.
With so many engine/drivetrain combinations for the Cherokee, there are several different mileage ratings from the EPA. Equipped with front-wheel drive and the four-cylinder engine, the Cherokee is rated at 25 mpg combined (22 city/31 highway). With the V6 and front-wheel drive, the estimate is 24 mpg combined (21/29).
EPA-estimated fuel economy for Cherokees with the Active Drive I 4WD system and four-cylinder engines is 24 mpg combined (21/28), which is slightly below average for this class, while V6 Cherokees with this 4WD system are rated at 23 mpg combined (20/28). With the Active Drive II system, estimates stand at 23 mpg combined (21/27) with the four-cylinder and 22 mpg combined with the V6. With its all-terrain tires, the Trailhawk gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg combined with the four-cylinder or the V6.
In Edmunds testing, a four-wheel-drive Cherokee Limited with the Active Drive I system went from zero to 60 in 7.4 seconds, a good time for the class. A Cherokee Trailhawk (also with the V6) did the sprint in 8.0 seconds.
This the Selec-Terrain dial you'll find in most four-wheel-drive Cherokees. The Trailhawk version also has a Rock mode.
With so many engine/drivetrain combinations for the Cherokee, there are several different mileage ratings from the EPA. Equipped with front-wheel drive and the four-cylinder engine, the Cherokee is rated at 25 mpg combined (22 city/31 highway). With the V6 and front-wheel drive, the estimate is 24 mpg combined (21/29).
EPA-estimated fuel economy for Cherokees with the Active Drive I 4WD system and four-cylinder engines is 24 mpg combined (21/28), which is slightly below average for this class, while V6 Cherokees with this 4WD system are rated at 23 mpg combined (20/28). With the Active Drive II system, estimates stand at 23 mpg combined (21/27) with the four-cylinder and 22 mpg combined with the V6. With its all-terrain tires, the Trailhawk gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg combined with the four-cylinder or the V6.
In Edmunds testing, a four-wheel-drive Cherokee Limited with the Active Drive I system went from zero to 60 in 7.4 seconds, a good time for the class. A Cherokee Trailhawk (also with the V6) did the sprint in 8.0 seconds.
Safety
Standard safety equipment on all 2015 Cherokees includes antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front and rear seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and front knee airbags. A rearview camera is optional on the Sport trim level and standard on all other models.
Trailhawk and Limited models can also be equipped with an option package that adds adaptive cruise control, a forward-collision warning and mitigation system (with automatic brake intervention in potential collision situations), a lane-departure warning system and blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts.
