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2019 Jeep Cherokee First Drive Review | Still the most truck-like crossover SUV

The history of the SUV has been one of ever-increasing refinement, and that arc bends towards carlike forms. It's a trend that even the hardiest of nameplates has succumbed to, including the venerable Cherokee, which for 2014, moved from the solid-axle brick of yore to the shark-nosed, independently suspended crossover of modern-day. That wasn't necessarily a bad thing. We found it to be quite a competitive machine at the time, and one that was plenty capable. But time marches on, and five model years later, Jeep has updated the Cherokee. The polarizing shark nose has been toned down, with all the headlight elements integrated into single units on either side. The hatchback has been revised and now sports a cutout for the license plate. Besides improving the looks at the back, Jeep says it allowed them to expand the rear cargo area to 25.8 cubic feet, an increase of 1.2 cubes, because moving the license plate space allowed them to pull the latch assembly farther out. It should be noted, though, that the Cherokee still doesn't have as much cargo capacity as the new 27.2-cubic-foot Compass. Besides the cosmetic changes, the new Cherokee gets a new engine, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder good for 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque that shares commonality with the Jeep Wrangler and Alfa Romeo Giulia engines. However, it lacks the mild hybrid technology of the Wrangler because of space issues, and it has a cylinder head with two camshafts rather than the Alfa's single-overhead cam design. In addition to the new 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, the Cherokee's old naturally aspirated engines, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder (180 hp, 170 lb-ft) and a 3.2-liter V6 (271 hp, 239 lb-ft), carryover unchanged except for the addition of standard engine start-stop functionality. The question is, can mild changes to the Cherokee keep it competitive in a segment where several rivals have been completely redesigned? In terms of capability, the answer is a resounding, "yes," particularly for the Trailhawk, which in turbocharged guise, has even shorter gearing for its low-range four-wheel-drive setting than before at 51.2:1. Like the previous model, the Trailhawk includes different front and rear bumpers for improved clearance and approach and departure angles. It features a set of skid plates and gets a steel oil pan for protection from obstacles, and the rear axle can be locked for additional traction.

Jeep Liberty under investigation for door fires

The Jeep Liberty has already had plenty of attention for possible fires thanks to the first-gen model's fuel tank, but now the midsize Jeep is under the microscope of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for another fire-related concern. NHTSA has opened an investigation for the 2012 Liberty after receiving two reports of electrical fires in the driver's door.
According to the investigation summary, around 80,000 vehicles could potentially be affected by this problem. In both reported fires, the drivers noticed smoke and then flames from the master power window switch, and they had to pull to a stop and exit through the passenger side of the SUV. According to Autoguide, there was one injury to a motorist who suffered burned fingers while trying to open the driver's door.
Interestingly, the Dodge Nitro is not yet involved in this investigation, even though it was still around for the 2012 model year; the Nitro ended production in 2011 about a year before the final Liberty rolled off the line for the 2013 model year. Scroll down for the official NHTSA investigation summary.

2017 Jeep Com-Patriot looks like a mini Grand Cherokee

Jeep plans to merge the Compass and the Patriot into a single model, and today we're getting an undisguised look at the compact crossover. These images from Brazil's Autoo were captured before a photo shoot. The SUV, which retains the same shape as the prototypes our photographers captured testing earlier this year, borrows a sizable amount of styling cues from the larger, more expensive Jeep Grand Cherokee. If the SUV's badging is anything to go off of, Jeep will retain the Compass moniker for the upcoming vehicle. At the front, the SUV has a similar grille to the Grand Cherokee with seven rectangular openings, which are smaller than the ones found on the current compass, with chrome trim. The headlights and LED daytime lights are also similar to the ones on the Grand Cherokee. The black roof, which is a new touch for Jeep, is a nod toward the SUV's European competitors like the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque. The new model loses the square-like taillights on the previous model for oval-shaped ones. Overall, the SUV adds modern touches to the aging Compass and Patriot models while staying true to Jeep's iconic look. The SUV is expected to utilize a modified version of the platform found on the Jeep Renegade and Fiat 500X. Power could come from a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine that's mated to either a nine-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual gearbox. Just like the current model, the upcoming Compass will have front-wheel drive as standard with all-wheel drive as an option. The next-gen Compass will be manufactured at Jeep's new plant in Brazil, where the vehicle will also makes it official debut later this year. The baby Grand Cherokee will make its first appearance on American soil at this year's Los Angeles Auto Show. Related Video: News Source: AutooImage Credit: Autoo Design/Style Spy Photos Jeep Crossover SUV jeep compass jeep patriot