Why Consumer Reports Says the 2022 Jeep Cherokee Is Just Mediocre
Isabel Armiento
· 4 min read
There are a lot of cars competing in the small SUV segment this year, and the all-new
Jeep
Cherokee doesn't exactly stand out. While Jeep’s 2022 Cherokee model has undergone some marked improvements—including a new, more powerful engine
—it still failed to turn any heads. Along with its lack of novelty, this year’s Cherokee also delivers poor results in a few key categories. The model offers a noisy, bumpy ride, with poor maneuverability and a sticky transmission.
For all of these reasons,
Consumer Reports (CR)
dubbed the 2022 Jeep Cherokee a mediocre model, giving it an overall rating of only 54 out of 100. In general, CR listed the vehicle’s plusses as “space, controls, and braking,” and its minuses as “sluggish initial acceleration with turbo engine, uncooperative transmission, ride, agility, and engine noise.” Read on for a more detailed guide on why CR says this new model is nothing special.
Driving the 2022 Jeep Cherokee
When it comes to driving experience, CR gives the Cherokee a rating of only 1 out of 4, despite its updated 2-liter turbocharged engine. To start, it’s a larger, more cumbersome model than most of its peers in the small SUV segment, with clumsy handling and poor reflexes. Not only does the engine fail to deliver a punchy, smooth ride, it’s also loud and unpleasant.
The 2022 Jeep Cherokee does have some positives in terms of driving experience, however. For example, its interior is roomy and fairly upscale, with high-quality materials and comfy seats. Generally, the system controls are easy-to-use and accommodating. The model offers standard tech features in terms of infotainment, climate, connectivity, and navigation.
Performance
When it comes to performance, the 2022 Jeep Cherokee is all-round mediocre. Overall, the model scored 68 out of 100 in CR’s road test, with a predicted owner satisfaction score of only 2 out of 5.
CR scored the model 4 out of 5 for acceleration, with a modest-but-respectable 0 to 60 mph time of 7.5 seconds. The model scored 3 out of 5 for transmission and emergency handling but earned a perfect score for braking. Its comfort and convenience scores were mid- to upper-range, and its fuel economy and
greenhouse gas emission scores
were mediocre. Of course, CR isn’t the only rating system out there, and some others give the Cherokee a higher overall rating.
Edmunds
, for example, scores the 2022 model much higher than CR does, at 7.8 out of 10. Reliability
The Jeep Cherokee has a bad history with reliability. The
2021 model
went home with CR’s lowest rating, and previous models scored medium ratings, at best. This year, the Cherokee has a predicted reliability of 2 out of 5, meaning that it is likely to be less dependable than most cars in its segment. CR predicts that a source of trouble for the model will be its engine, which may be easily damaged or incur cooling issues.
Safety and pricing
According to CR, the 2022 Jeep Cherokee comes with a host of standard
safety features
, including forward collision warning, rear-cross traffic warning, anti-lock brakes, automatic emergency braking, stability control, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, and blind spot warning. On all of CR’s crash and rollover tests, the model scores either 4 or 5 stars (out of a possible 5). While it’s too early to know the 2022 Cherokee’s price, Edmunds.com predicts that the model will start at around $29,000.
Overall, the 2022 Jeep Cherokee offers an underwhelming driving experience, with little in terms of added bonuses. Still, it has some welcome features, and some drivers will appreciate its comfortable and luxurious interior.
While its reliability ratings are low, the model has strong overall safety ratings, which will be a top priority for some drivers. In summary, the 2022 Jeep Cherokee is just as it appears—mediocre.
