Here’s Everything New for the 2019 Jeep Model Year
Jeep vehicles get additional colors, new trim levels, and better safety and infotainment features for the 2019 model year.
It’s that time of year again where Jeep announces the changes it’s made for the future. We got a chance to learn about them at FCA’s Chelsea Proving Grounds in Michigan during the automaker’s 2019 “What’s New” event.
Although 2019 won’t be as monumental as the the current model year (which marked the release of the all-new JL Wrangler), it will offer a number of cosmetic and technological updates. These are some of the highlights to look for at your local Jeep dealership.
Compass
The 2019 Compass gets a variety of minor visual and tech updates, including a new Sting Gray paint option, a different finish for the Trailhawk’s 17-inch wheels, a standard seven-inch Uconnect screen in Sport and Latitude models, and the addition of adaptive cruise control to the available Advanced Safety Group Package.
That’s not all Jeep has in store for the Compass, though. The new Upland Special Edition model is based on the Sport and comes with the Trailhawk’s front fascia and 17-inch wheels. The grille, fog lamp bezels, badges, and roof are covered in Gloss Black.
Limited models can be dressed up with the new High Altitude Appearance Package’s Satin Gloss Granite 19-inch wheels, trim, and badges; Gloss Black roof; tinted windows; high-intensity discharge headlights; LED tail lamps; and 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system with navigation.
Cherokee
Earlier this year, Jeep spilled the beans about all of the changes it made to the Cherokee for 2019. It features a new front end design with unified LED headlights and daytime running lights; a new Latitude Plus trim level; a refreshed rear end with a composite, hands-free power liftgate; re-tuned suspension setups for better ride quality; new available High Gloss Piano Black interior trim; and four more cubic feet of rear cargo space. The Jeep Active Drive I system is now 17 pounds lighter. According to FCA, it also “reduces low-speed system drag torque by 50 percent, which improves fuel savings.”
The biggest update to the Cherokee is its new available turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four motor. Its 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque make it the top engine in the Cherokee lineup. Despite having more torque, it also manages to offer better maximum fuel economy (23 city and 31 highway mpg) than the 3.2-liter Pentastar V6 (20 city and 29 highway mpg). A few months ago, we spent a week in a 2019 Cherokee Latitude Plus that had the 2.0 under its hood. Although the engine sounded a bit coarse under load, it had more than enough power to make the Cherokee feel fresh and lively.
Grand Cherokee/Grand Cherokee SRT/Grand Cherokee Trackhawk
Slate Blue, Green Metallic, and Sting Gray join the Grand Cherokee color palette for 2019. The Overland rolls on new 20-inch Heritage wheels while the Summit can be ordered with new optional 20s. Limited and higher models come standard with the 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system and navigation. All Grand Cherokees equipped with the 8.4-inch setup also get a touchscreen with improved resolution and pinch-and-zoom functionality, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Blind-spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Path detection is standard equipment across the entire Grand Cherokee model lineup.
The new Limited X model incorporates those infotainment and safety upgrades and adds special front and rear fascias, a performance hood, Granite Crystal exterior accents, and Low Gloss Granite Crystal 20-inch wheels. Its black interior is outfitted with Heritage perforated seats, unique accents, and a nine-speaker audio system with active noise cancellation.
Unfortunately, Jeep will not offer the 2019 Trackhawk model with the extra power that the Challenger SRT Hellcat and Redeye received.
Wrangler
After a total overhaul for 2018, the Wrangler goes into the 2019 model year with minor changes. It’s now available in a color called Bikini. Engineers made the available Advanced Safety Group package even stronger by adding forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control – a feature all of you roadtrippers will probably appreciate. We know we like it. It brings the Wrangler even further into the 21st century.
It was fun getting Jeep’s models dirty at this year’s What’s New event, but we’re already looking forward to taking part in next year’s festivities and learning about the Scrambler pickup in person…
Photos for JK Forum: Derek Sheiki
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