More power and torque tend to make automatics perform better, primarily because they don’t have to downshift as frequently in order to make the vehicle step out, and downshifting is where transmissions usually introduce lag. The difference is very noticeable in off-the-line starts, and the transmission lag is somewhat better. Its 270 horsepower rating is 1 hp lower than the V-6 that’s standard in these two high trim levels, but it has more torque - and it’s accessible at lower engine speeds: a peak of 295 pounds-feet at 3,000 to 4,500 rpm, versus the 3.2-liter Pentastar V-6’s 239 pounds-feet at 4,400 rpm. How did Jeep do? One Step Forward, Technicallyīoth of the 2019 Cherokees we drove, a Trailhawk and an Overland, were equipped with an engine that’s new to the lineup: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. On the flip side, the Jeep Compass was completely redesigned for 2017 and was a disappointment, partly due to the same transmission. The 2019 Cherokee has a few things going for it, starting with its first substantial refresh since 2014, which is an opportunity to make improvements. (At least the hard upshifts improved somewhat over the years.) Despite numerous changes to its programming both in our early model and in subsequent model years, the transmission would hesitate too long when a downshift was called for. Somehow, our affection for the Cherokee was strong enough that we were able to overlook the engine replacement it mysteriously required what we couldn’t overlook was the bad behavior of its only transmission, a nine-speed automatic - especially when paired with the base 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. We’re very fond of it overall - in spite of the fact that after a year’s ownership of a 2014 model, we unanimously concluded that we wouldn’t buy another. We had high hopes for the 2019 Jeep Cherokee. Versus the competition: There are no similarly priced peers for the Cherokee’s off-roading ability, and it’s a strong player overall, but its cargo volume is modest even among compact competitors, and its balky transmission is a drawback, especially when teamed with a less powerful engine. The verdict: A powerful new turbo engine option improves things, but an ill-tempered transmission still holds back the otherwise well-rounded, newly updated 2019 Jeep Cherokee.
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