If you’re addicted to extremes – in adventure, in weather, in road conditions, or in driving – you’ve probably either owned or considered owning a Jeep. If you haven’t had the pleasure, then this should be your year. The 2022 Jeep Cherokee is an SUV with impressive off-road capability–an American icon designed to bring off-road adventure to life.
The 2022 Cherokee is a 5-passenger SUV available with front-wheel drive or as a 4×4. It comes in four trims: the X, the Latitude Lux, the Trailhawk, and the Limited. The X, Trailhawk, and Limited are all 4×4, and the Latitude Lux – available, along with the Limited, with two different engines – has the front-wheel drive option with more on-road options for those whose off-roading is perhaps more afterthought than intention. Which trim is for you? Perhaps we can help you decide.
X Marks the (Perfect Weekend Camping) Spot
The base X has just the right amount of amenities and performance. Jeep has made the 3.2L Pentastar V6 engine standard in all Cherokee trims, and its 271 hp and 239 lb-ft of torque are sufficient for a variety of needs from highway miles to back road challenges. This engine also comes with the fuel-saving Engine Start/Stop feature, which briefly turns the engine off when you stop for lights or (in some cases) stop signs. A number of elements affect whether this feature cycles – the AC can’t be on max, the car must be warmed up and the cabin at a reasonable temp, the battery must be fully charged, etc. – and the Cherokee X can be outfitted with a 180-amp alternator to assist the ESS function. Altogether, this tech helps to conserve and boost fuel efficiency. The X, with its conventional differential and Jeep Active Drive system that automatically engages 4×4 when you need it, is well-designed for towing and lighter off-road conditions.
Jeep has thrown in a number of extras like:
- 8-way adjustable heated steering wheel
- heated front seats with a power lumbar adjustment in the driver’s seat
- LED head, tail, and fog lights
- rain-sensing wipers in front
- rear-window wiper/washer
- powered heated mirrors
- a ParkView rear backup camera
- 17-inch wheels and all-terrain tires
- an off-road suspension, and more
These features can make your average car-camping trip much simpler and more comfortable, even if you get lost on the way.
Jeep has also made standard a truly useful collection of driver-assistive safety features such as full-speed forward collision warning and emergency braking, lane departure warning and assist, and blind spot and cross path detection systems. Add in Electronic Stability Control and trailer sway damping, and you’ve got a recipe for incident-free family weekend camping. All Cherokee trims also include an 8.4-inch touchscreen (with at least a year’s free trial of Uconnect 4), a wi-fi hot spot, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, as well as Bluetooth and streaming capability with integrated voice command.
The X is equipped with a hitch and can tow 2,000 lbs as is, but it’s well worth adding the trailer tow package for additional capacity. This package adds heavy-duty engine cooling and a 3.517 final drive ratio, includes 7-pin and 4-pin wiring harnesses, a Class III receiver, and a full-size spare tire. It raises your towing capability to 4,500 lbs, enough to bring along a decently equipped travel trailer or boat – both of which can easily make weekend camping that much easier – as well as provide you with a way to cool down once you find the perfect campsite. If you have any trouble getting to your chosen camping area, your Cherokee’s Selec-Terrain system, with five different drive modes (Auto, Snow, Sport, Sand/Mud, and Rock), will get you there.
The Latitude Lux: Changes in Freeway Attitude
The Latitude Lux trim in front-wheel drive is Jeep’s answer to the driver seeking Jeep tradition and durability without needing 4×4 capability. The Latitude Lux is available with a choice of engine – the 3.2L Pentastar V6 is standard, but you can also opt for the 2.0L, 4-cylinder DI Turbo engine with Engine Start/Stop (ESS.). While it lacks many of the options traditional in Jeeps, such as a towing capacity beyond 2,000 lbs, an off-road suspension, or the drive modes found in the 4×4 models, the Latitude Lux with front-wheel drive does have excellent fuel efficiency as a result.
Other highlights of the Latitude Lux trim include:
- front and rear climate controls
- air conditioning with dual-zone controls
- two USB chargers in the rear seat console
- auto-dimming rearview mirror
- power liftgate
- 115V auxiliary power outlet
- 7.0-inch gauge cluster color display
- leather-trimmed seats
- remote proximity keyless entry and push-button start
Other options include the Sun and Sound package – a sunroof and the premium Alpine speaker system – and the Interior package, which adds Mopar slush mats and a Mopar cargo-area liner. You can also opt for the 4×4 version of the Latitude Lux with either engine. This version is similar to the X but adds the extras noted here and has a reduced towing capacity.
The Trailhawk: Hitting the Road Less Traveled
The Cherokee Trailhawk 4×4 is the trim most likely to be thought of as the quintessential Jeep. Designed for off-road functionality, the Trailhawk carries a host of features guaranteed to meet your most adventurous off-roading needs. A payload of 1,000 lbs and a towing capacity of up to 4,500 lbs (with the Trailer Tow Group package) will allow you to head off for a weekend in your favorite wilderness, but that’s just the beginning.
The Trailhawk comes into its own when clambering up and down hills, through mud, snow, sand, and other severe-but-fun conditions. It’s fully armored with off-road sill cladding, wheel flares, skid-plates on the transmission, underbody, and front suspension, and a skid-plate shield on the fuel tank. The Trailhawk is equipped with Jeep’s Active Drive II, which helps you make the best use of your 4×4 and adds a 4-Low range for when you really need that added torque to get down the hill (or out of the pit.) The Selec-Terrain feature enables you to easily dial up the vehicle’s best overall response – in throttling, traction, shifting, and stability – for the conditions you’re facing. Add the standard off-road suspension, all-terrain tires, 180-amp alternator, and locking rear axle, and you’re prepared for just about anything.
The Trailhawk also comes with a full range of options packages. Among these is the Comfort and Convenience Group, which adds a security alarm, an auto-dimming mirror, and a hands-free power liftgate. The Sun, Sound, and Navigation Group features a sunroof, HD radio, a premium speaker system, and GPS navigation, as well as various Sirius trial packages. The Technology Group adds even more driver-assistance features such as adaptive cruise control with stop and go sensing, automatic high-beam headlights, parallel and perpendicular park assist, and more. You can even add the Premium Leather package to get ventilated, power-adjustable and leather-trimmed seats. In short, the Trailhawk is fully-equipped for every off-roading possibility and highly customizable to meet your personal tastes.
The Limited: A 4×4 for All Roads
The Cherokee is also available in the Limited 4×4 trim. The 2.0L turbo engine is available in the Limited as well as the Latitude Lux, and the Limited 4×4 has Selec-Terrain drive modes and Jeep Active Drive. Designed for lighter towing and off-roading, the Limited has a normal duty suspension and conventional differential and lacks the skid plates found on the Trailhawk. 18-inch wheels are standard, as are automatic high beams, BSW Touring tires, and a power liftgate. You can select the Elite Package for additional features, which include ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a hands-free power liftgate, navigation, HD Radio, various Sirius packages ranging from one to five-year periods, 19-inch wheels, all-season tires, and more.
Make This Year the Year You Adventure in a 2022 Jeep Cherokee
The 2022 Jeep Cherokee has plenty to offer all sorts of drivers. Whether you’re dedicated to serious off-roading, want to be able to enjoy a family vacation that’s a little bit off the beaten track, or just need to commute through some challenging conditions, you can find a Cherokee to get you there in style. With four amazingly tailored trims to choose from, there is sure to be a Cherokee that provides you with everything you need.
