Which 2020 Jeep Cherokee Is Right for You?

There are two Jeep models with the Cherokee name. The Grand Cherokee may be more familiar to you. It’s the larger of the two, slotting into the mid-size segment, and has been around since 1993. We’ll be looking at the smaller compact crossover, however: the 2020 Jeep Cherokee. It’s a full 7 inches shorter than its big brother but no less capable.

The Cherokee was a replacement for the now-defunct Jeep Liberty. The Cherokee arrived on the scene back in 2014 but has undergone a mid-cycle facelift for the 2020 model year. There are a full 9 different trim options for this compact Jeep crossover! So let’s get straight to breaking down each one so you know what features are included at which price point.

Latitude

First up is the base trim, the 2020 Jeep Cherokee Latitude. It has a starting MSRP of $25,740. The base engine for the Jeep Cherokee is a 2.4L I-4 MultiAir Engine. It’s capable of 180 horsepower and 171 lb-ft of torque. The vehicle sits on 17-inch painted aluminum wheels and it comes with a 9-speed automatic transmission. On this base trim, buyers only have the choice between 7 colors whereas upper trims have nine.

Some of the top features include a 7-in infotainment display with Uconnect software and six audio speakers. A rear back-up camera is also standard, as is hill start assist, electronic roll mitigation, and trailer sway damping. The Cherokee Latitude is not eligible for many of the options and packages that upper trims can choose from. However, there is a four-wheel-drive powertrain option for $27,240.

Latitude Plus

The 2020 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus also offers both FWD and 4×4 powertrains. FWD models start at $27,395 while the 4x4s run $28,895. This trim level has all 9 exterior colors available. The main difference between the base trim, however, is that the Cherokee Latitude Plus has available upgrades and package additions. It does have a standard 8-way power driver seat that is otherwise not available on the Cherokee Latitude. It also has ambient LED interior lighting and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Beginning with this trim, a push-button start is standard as is blind-spot and cross-path safety detection. Available packages include the Comfort/Convenience Group (it adds a power liftgate and remote vehicle start, among other features), the Cold Weather Group, and a Trailer-Tow Group.

Altitude

Right off the bat, the 2020 Jeep Cherokee Altitude has the second-most exterior paint color options at 10. This includes a Pearl White color that is only found on a couple of trim levels. Black is the only interior color option, however. It also rides atop 18-inch gloss black 5-spoke alum wheels. That’s an inch larger than previous trims.

Otherwise, the Cherokee Altitude has the same standard offerings as the Cherokee Latitude Plus. It seems the price premium only gets you more paint color options and larger tires. In our eyes, that’s not a super great deal. The FWD version of the Cherokee Altitude starts at $28,390, and a 4×4 starts at $29,890.

Upland

The 2020 Jeep Cherokee Upland is a limited edition model. It has a starting MSRP of $30,420. It’s essentially a cosmetic trim option that blacks-out your Cherokee (unless you choose the white exterior color). Speaking of exterior colors, there is only white, black, and a dark gray. The wheels are 17 inches but are a Black Noise Aluminum finish. Additionally, there are matte black tow hooks, black roof rails, and the vehicle badging is in a black noise finish. On the inside, Viper Blue stitching accents the interior.

Under the hood, the Cherokee Upland has a larger 3.2-liter Pentastar V6 engine and is only available with a 4×4 powertrain.

Limited

The next trim is the 2020 Jeep Cherokee Limited with a starting price of $31,350 for the FWD. A 4×4 powertrain begins at $34,595. It has the 2.4L I-4 engine of the trims before the Cherokee Upland. However, it does have larger wheels (18-in polished/painted aluminum) and a larger infotainment display (8.4-in compared to 7). It only has 9 exterior paint color options, one fewer than the Cherokee Altitude, but the interior can be either black or Ski Grey.

This is the first trim that has the Luxury Group package as an available option. This includes a foot-activated hands-free power liftgate and ventilated front seats for buyers who pony up the additional cost. Standard features include leather-trimmed seats for the first time, and the front seats are heated. There is also a 115-volt auxiliary power outlet in the cabin. A heated steering wheel and dual-zone climate control also come standard. This is also the first trim that has a standard remote-start system.

For most buyers, we find this trim to be the best bang for your buck, with or without the Luxury Group package added.

High Altitude

The 2020 Jeep Cherokee High Altitude starts at $34,890 for a FWD powertrain model and $36,390 for a 4×4. This is the tipping point for more powerful engines. All trims from this level onward come standard with a 3.2-liter V6 24-valve VVT engine. The wheels on the Cherokee High Altitude are 19 inches, and the infotainment Uconnect system comes with navigation standard. There are only 4 exterior paint options, however.

Otherwise, it comes with pretty much the same standard features as the Cherokee Limited.

Trailhawk

The 2020 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk is only available with a 4×4 powertrain. The Trailhawk badging is Jeep’s top-rated off-road models. They have increased ground clearance, for example, and distinctive black accent decals on the center of the hood. The Trailhawk-badged models are also the only trims the come in the Firecracker Red exterior paint color. Speaking of paint colors, the Jeep Trailhawk has the most options of any trim level—11!

With its focus on off-roading, it does have some seemingly “downgraded” standard features compared to the trims that immediately preceded it. It has smaller 17-inch wheels, for instance. It also does not have navigation in the infotainment system or leather-trimmed seats. Although, drivers may be thankful for the lack of leather making the seats easier to clean. Heated seats and heated steering wheel are also lacking. The MSRP is $34,505.

Trailhawk Elite

Like the lower Cherokee Trialhawk trim, the Cherokee Trailhawk Elite is only available as a 4×4. The 2020 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk Elite also has 11 exterior paint options, including the Firecracker Red color. The Cherokee Trailhawk Elite basically adds back in some of the premium features that were missing on the Cherokee Trailhawk. These include heated/ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. However, the seats are still not leather. Additionally, the standard wheels are still 17 inches. Its MSRP is $37,700.

(Featured image via Facebook)