Jeep will be introducing its updated 2019 Cherokee at the North American International Auto Show come January 16, 2018. The mid-size crossover receives a mild facelift with updated designs front and rear, along with more fuel-efficient powertrain options. Jeep didn’t go into detail about the powertrain changes or any other information, saying that news will become available when the 2019 Cherokee makes its appearance at the Detroit Auto Show.

Aesthetically, the 2019 Jeep Cherokee looks far more palatable, losing that ugly front end and odd headlight arrangement. The new front uses new one-piece headlights with the turn signals and daytime running lights integrated into the same housing. The fog lights now have a slightly larger scallop. The lower grille is now more streamlined. Despite the more handsome look, the hood and upper grille appear unchanged. It seems the Cherokee’s ugliness was all contained in those headlights.

Continue reading for more on the 2019 Cherokee.

What We Know

Around back, the 2019 Cherokee has new LED taillights with clear lenses and red accents. The license plate is moved from the bumper to the tailgate and the black-plastic bumper is replaced with a more upscale black and gray bumper with chrome trim and chrome-tipped dual exhaust. The rest of the 2019 Cherokee appears unchanged, though we expect new wheel options.

As for the powertrain, Jeep did not give clues as to what’s under the hood. The current Cherokee offers the 2.4-liter MultiAir four-cylinder with 184 horsepower as standard and the 3.2-liter V-6 with electric stop/start and 271 horsepower as an option. A nine-speed automatic transmission is standard across the board. Front-wheel drive comes standard, too, but naturally, 4WD is optional on all models. Those who really want to explore the untraveled path will wan the Cherokee Trailhawk model with added ground clearance, a beefier 4WD system, added skid plating, and all-terrain tires.

As for what 2019 brings, there’s a good chance the Cherokee will receive Jeep’s new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder found in the 2018 Wrangler JL. The engine makes a very respectable 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque while saving fuel thanks to a mild hybrid system that uses an electric motor to help spin the crankshaft at lower engine speeds. This engine could very well replace the 3.2-liter V-6, whose torque only peaks at 239 pound-feet.

Only time will tell, so thankfully we’ve only got a few weeks to wait. The 2019 Jeep Cherokee will make its official debut at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show on January 16.

References

Jeep Cherokee

Read our full driven review on the 2015 Jeep Cherokee.

Read more Detroit Auto Show news.