2021 Jeep Cherokee Review
Price Range: $17,590 - $29,998





+542
Good
7.8
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The latest 2021 Jeep Cherokee ditches its nontraditional styling for a more familial Grand Cherokee Light design. The V6 here is still an option, but there's a hot turbocharged 2.0-liter engine as well. In proper Jeep fashion, the Cherokee remains one of the most capable compact SUVs in the segment.
2021 Jeep Cherokee Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What's new
- Previously optional advanced safety features are now standard
- More standard comfort and convenience features on each trim
- New Latitude Lux and related 80th Anniversary editions debut
- Part of the second Cherokee generation introduced for 2014
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.70 per gallon for regular unleaded in Tennessee.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Tennessee
$130/mo for Cherokee Latitude
Cherokee Latitude
vs
$158/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
See Edmunds pricing data
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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
4 out of 5 stars4/5Excellent
#8 out of 29 among Compact SUVs
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Jeep Cherokee from 2008-2022.$507/yr
vs. $465/yr
for Average Compact SUV
for Average Compact SUV
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).0.64x/yr
vs. 1x/yr
for Average Compact SUV
for Average Compact SUV
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).11.7%
vs. 11.5%
for Average Compact SUV
for Average Compact SUV
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
Jeep Cherokee Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(71%)
4(5%)
3(5%)
2(11%)
1(8%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
My new Jeep
5 out of 5 starsbmwcharlie, 02/01/2021
2021 Jeep Cherokee Limited 4dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 9A)
Time for a new lease as my Tiguan went back. I looked at a new Tiguan, Subaru Outback, Jeep Cherokee and the Volvo X 40. I chose the Jeep Cherokee.
The Jeep felt the most substantial by far. I was surprised by the cheap plastic center in the Subaru and the Volvo. The Tiguan was all plastic but for 289.00 a month all in (including all taxes and fees) the Tiguan Se was the least … expensive vehicle I have ever leased. The same equipped Tiguan was 370.00 a month. I really missed the heated steering wheel from my previous BMW so it was a must for my new lease. A Tiguan with a heated steering wheel was 407.00 a month. I set out for a new compact SUV for 350.00 a month. I never thought of leasing a Jeep but in my budget it kept coming up so I test drove it. I knew instantly this would be my next vehicle. I leased a Jeep Cherokee V6 Limited with Elite Pkg. for 381.00 a month including taxes and all fees. This was the most equipped car I ever had. Cooled seats front and back it even can parallel park. I love the remote start which automatically turns on the heated seats and steering wheel. This Jeep is on par with my X3. Which was 500.00 a month a new one 700. a month to lease. Value wise this is the best vehicle you will find. It took months of tracking prices and negotiating for me to get this price.
The Jeep ride is great, acceleration is great too. The Volvo was slightly better but the Jeep was pretty close. It rides more like the X3. The info entertainment is easy to use intuitive and fast which really makes for a great driving experience. The Jeep is compact unlike the Tiguan which felt like you had so much space in the cabin. Handling is sharp seats are comfortable. Since it mainly me and one other person most of the time I can live with the snug cabin. I took Delivery at the end of November and have had no problems. Fit and finish is great so I am thinking it should be pretty reliable.
Update: I still love my Cherokee. The Adaptive cruise control is amazing. Life changing feature. The stop and go really takes the sting out of heavy traffic. The automatic high beams are amazing. The ride is great it really takes any size pot hole no problem. Well not quite the razor sharp handle of a BMW it’s much more comfortable. The ride, handling, and acceleration strike a great balance. The lane keep assist is the cars big down fall. It’s will pull slightly at the wheel for no reason. Less on the highway than around town. It feels like you hit a piece of ice. I doesn’t bother me as much now but at first it was annoying as hell. I tried to disable it but couldn’t. I just put it on the lowest setting. Hopefully they will use a lane centering on the next update. The car feels so high tech it’s quite unexpected.. I am so glad I got this Jeep. I would have never considered it, if not for the chip shortage. Inventories were starting to get tight and they had the inventory. I got this lease at such a great deal.I am so grateful as prices are skyrocketing on leases. Blown away by the luxury driving experience from a Jeep, Who knew!
Love my Trailhawk Elite
5 out of 5 starsPony Girl, 10/23/2021
2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk 4dr SUV 4WD (3.2L 6cyl 9A)
I wouldn't trade my 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk for anything. It is my commuter car as well as my "farm truck"--it tows my horse trailer and I use it when I need to drag round hay bales out to my horses. Snowy country roads are easy to get through. It's a quiet, comfortable ride. Safe too--my new 2019 Trailhawk was written off following a collision--it took a beating but I walked away … with only bruises; I was very impressed at how it did its job and absorbed the impact. After that I had no doubt that I wanted to replace it with the 2021 Trailhawk. I'm hooked on Jeep!
Love it!
5 out of 5 starsLp6781, 03/11/2021
2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Lux 4dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 9A)
This is my second Jeep Cherokee. I am totally blown away with this SUV. I love the color, the interior, the v6 the features, I could go on and on. I previously had a 4 cylinder and thought that it was way under powered. I recommend everyone I know to test drive a Jeep Cherokee, they will be hooked as I am.
Dissappointed
3 out of 5 starsJ Thompson, 02/14/2021
2021 Jeep Cherokee 80th Anniversary Edition 4dr SUV 4WD (3.2L 6cyl 9A)
I purchased the limited edition 80th anniversary Jeep Cherokee because I loved the look, handling and the price was right with factory employee discount. Less than 1500 miles on the vehicle and it's been in twice for service the last two days, today the vehicle won't stay started. I was told last evening that there was a bad relay sensor, which was replaced. This morning the car … started, but turned off almost immediately. Not good for a brand new "showroom" vehicle.
2021 Jeep Cherokee video
Top 10 Best Compact SUVs | Ranking the Best Small SUVs of 2021
At Edmunds, we are big fans of the compact SUV. With enough room and comfort for passengers and good fuel economy, compact SUVs are a great choice for shoppers looking for an SUV that can do just about anything. In this video, Ryan ZumMallen from Edmunds presents our ranking of the Top 10 Best Compact SUVs and what makes each one different. From the popular Toyota RAV4 to… the off-roading Jeep Wrangler, Ryan runs down our list of what we consider the best small SUVs you can buy. This is our ranking of the Top 10 Best Compact SUVs.
2021 Cherokee Highlights
Latitude
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $27,210 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 25 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $130/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 25.8 cu.ft. |
front wheel drive | |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the Cherokee models:
- Uconnect Access
- Automatically connects to 911 in an emergency, tracks the vehicle in case of theft, and sends an email or text alert if the alarm goes off.
- Trailer Sway Control
- Helps mitigate trailer sway by selectively applying the brakes and reducing power to keep the trailer in line with the car.
- Rear Cross Path Detection
- Helps prevent collisions by alerting the driver when a vehicle approaches from the side while the Cherokee is in reverse.
NHTSA Overall Rating
4 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall4 / 5Driver4 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat5 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover17.4%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestGood
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestGood
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
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