Midsize Jeep an SUV standout

A set of bright red tow hooks are hard to ignore when taking in the 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk’s rugged, anything-but-pavement appearance. The hooks are also unsettling, an acknowledgement that while the well-equipped Trailhawk is off-road ready, the possibility of getting stuck is a reality.

It’s the Trailhawk’s off-road hardware that allows the Jeep to stand out in the midsize SUV segment dominated by front- or all-wheel-drive SUVs that are fine for a few inches of snow, but lack adequate ground clearance and capability of a true 4WD. Jeep’s Selec-Terrain system supplies the Trailhawk with modes that allow the driver to dial in the drivetrain for best performance. The modes are Auto, Snow, Sport, Sand/Mud and a Rock mode with hill ascent and descent settings. The Trailhawk also includes a locking rear differential when in 4WD that locks together the rear axle shafts, allowing them to spin at the same speed regardless of wheel slip, a necessary feature when rock-crawling.

While I’ve yet to try rock-crawling, I have seen 4WD enthusiasts in action, climbing several hundred yards of steep outcroppings known as “Jeep Eater” in Northampton.

The trail draws drivers from all over New England, who roll their off-roaders up to the base of a stony incline and hit the gas as they fully commit to the climb, smoking their spinning tires, but the locked axles provide traction, allowing the drivers to maintain momentum and clear the obstacle.

While I’ve yet to see anybody flip or roll over, breakdowns do occur, putting winches, cables and tow hooks into action. I’m not recommending taking a brand-new Trailhawk for a run up Jeep Eater, but my $40G tester was well prepared, with 17-inch wheels, underbody skid plates and the locking rear differential.

The Jeep’s interior is equally rugged, but also comfortable. Seats, steering wheel and touch points are trimmed in black leather. Second-row seating is adequate for children but adult leg and knee room was sparse. Rear cargo accessed with a hands-free power liftgate was plentiful.

An easy-to-reach and-well proportioned 8.4-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was integrated into the center console. The Trailhawk’s sound system with a subwoofer and nine speakers was outstanding. My favorite feature that’s shared across many Fiat Chrysler offerings are a pair of tuner and volume controls located on the front of the steering wheel that allow for intuitive use while driving.

Jeep offers two engine choices with the 2019 Cherokee, a 3.2-liter, V6 engine that delivers 271 horsepower with 239 lb.-ft. of torque and a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four that produces 270 hp and 295 lb.-ft. of torque, which I had under the hood of my tester. I was impressed by the small turbo’s power both around the city and on the highway. A nine-speed automatic transmission handles the power transfer and the drive system also deactivates the rear axle on the open road for improved fuel economy. I averaged 23 mpg during my weeklong evaluation.

A base model Cherokee Trailhawk starts at $33G. Don’t get me wrong on the tow hooks: I like the idea of being prepared, Jeep just needs to take it one step further and include a winch so the Trailhawk can rescue itself.