Used 2018 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk L Plus for sale 

Prices for the 2018 model year Cherokee start at $24,395 while the top trim Overland is priced at $34,095. You get to choose between the five trims if you are planning to buy the 2018 Jeep Cherokee. The base trim Latitude has an ample amount of tech and features while the Latitude Plus adds premium equipment. Move up to the Limited and the off-road rated Trailhawk trims to get standard safety equipment. Top trim Overland meanwhile offers all the interior and exterior amenities that the Jeep has to offer.

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If you can stretch your budget a bit then go for the Jeep's Trailhawk trim. It may be more expensive than other Cherokee trims but its off-roading capabilities set it apart from others in the competition. This also may be the reason you would prefer buying a Jeep rather than going with some other in the competition. If not, the Jeep Latitude Plus trim makes a good choice as it offers a good combination of features at an affordable price.

Standard on the 2018 Jeep Cherokee is a 2.4-liter Inline-4 engine that churns out 184 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque. Optional for all is a 3.2-liter V6 that is rated at 271 horsepower and 239 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission is standard on both engines. The Trailhawk comes standard with AWD.  However, the Latitude, Limited, and Overland trims are available with either the FWD or AWD configuration.

Gear Shifts are quick in the Jeep Cherokee and it handles the upshifts and downshifts quite well. The Honda CR-V also has a similar engine and power output, at184 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. However, the CR-V comes with a CVT, which is great for daily driving but misses out on the sporty and fun factor that the automatic transmission offers. The Ford Escape's 6-speed automatic feels a little dated, and the SUV offers lower power figures than both its competitors. 

2018 Jeep Cherokee Acceleration

The base engine feels tardy and only helps all Jeep Cherokee models to accelerate lethargically. The 2018 Jeep Cherokee goes from 0 to 60 in 9.5 seconds, which is only marginally better than its smaller sibling, the Jeep Compass. However, the Cherokee Trailhawk, with the 3.2-liter V6 engine accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in flat 8.0 seconds, which is a decent performance considering its off-roading capabilities.

Due to its sluggish nature, the Jeep Cherokee could not compete with the rivals and landed itself up in the bottom section of the acceleration chart. Both the Honda CR-V and the Ford Escape perform better than the Jeep with the Honda CR-V taking the least amount of time to race to 60mph from zero. While the Honda CR-V is better in acceleration the Ford Escape is better in the top-speed segment.

2018 Jeep Cherokee Braking and Handling

To test the Cherokee’s handling, you need to venture off the road as this SUV can keep up with some of the trails rated rivals. The Cherokee Trailhawk comes equipped with trail-ready equipment for an extra hold that includes a 4-wheel drive system with low range, an off-road suspension, a rear locking differential, and five terrain modes (Auto, Snow, Rock, Sport, Sand/Mud).

The Cherokee, however, feels stable on paved roads and its suspension soaks up most of the bumps. There is minimal body roll around corners and steering feels responsive. Brakes feel nice and firm while the response from brake pedals is good. The 2018 Jeep Cherokee stops from 60 to 0 in 121 feet, which is average for its class. The Trailhawk meanwhile comes to a halt from 60 mph in 131 feet, which is fairly long.

Response from the steering is quite good with the driver getting an idea about what underneath the wheels from the steering wheel feedback. Though the Jeep Cherokee can be seen to be highest on the curb weight, it is great of a car to be that heavy to have an impressive braking performance. The Jeep Cherokee delivers one of the best braking performances in the rivals and gives the car a complete halt from 60mph in just under 121 feet.

2018 Jeep Cherokee Towing Capacity

If you are planning to tow, equip the Cherokee Latitude Plus, Limited and Trailhawk trim with the Trailer Tow Group package that includes a standalone transmission cooler, Class III hitch, trailer wiring harness for both four and seven-pin system that has the capacity to haul 2000 pounds. The V6 engine also gets additional engine cooling. These numbers are impressive as compared to the meager towing capacity of rivals.

Comparing the competition, the Jeep Cherokee clearly comes off significantly better at towing than its rivals. At 4500 lbs, the Cherokee triumphs over the Ford Escape in terms of towing capacity, with the latter only managing to tow 1500 lbs. The CR-V's towing figures haven't been revealed yet, but we're certain the numbers would come close to that of the Cherokee. 

The base 2018 Jeep Cherokee engine returns a fuel efficiency figure of 21 MPG in the city, 30 MPG on the highway, and 25 MPG combined with the FWD configuration. The number falls with AWD, as it offers 21 MPG in the city, 28 MPG on highways, and 23 MPG combined. The V6 Cherokee with FWD is meanwhile rated at 21/29/24 MPG. Finally, with AWD, the figure further drops down to 20/27/23 MPG. Even the most efficient configuration doesn't make the 2018 model year Cherokee the most fuel-efficient SUV, but the numbers are fairly decent, given how capable the Cherokee is. 

When being compared it is quite evident that the Honda CR-V comes out victorious. It is the most efficient among all the rival segments with economy figures of 26/32/28 on city/highway/combined driving conditions. The Jeep Cherokee however comes with the largest tank capacity of 15.8 gallons which makes it easier for the car to stay more time on the road without the need to refuel frequently. 

The 2018 Jeep Cherokee welcomes you into an inviting, well-appointed cabin. The interior is finished with high-quality materials throughout, and the build quality feels adequate. While the design might feel a little dated, it still stands classy and unique. We love the generous application of leather on the dash and around the door panels. The seats feel very comfortable, with higher trims offering 8-way power-adjustable seats. Heated seats are offered with almost all trims while being optional on the Latitude trim. 

The Trailhawk is taller than the average Cherokee but stepping in and out of the SUV is made easy by the front and rear doors that open wide. There is good visibility all around while an available rearview camera helps in backing and reversing. The Jeep Cherokee's cargo space does not impress us, as it gets 24.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat and 54.9 cubic feet with them folded. These numbers are on the low side for a compact SUV as the Honda CR-V offers 39.0 cubic feet of cargo space.

There is plenty of room in the front and rear seats and they are comfortable enough for a full day of driving. The second-row seats slide and recline which makes for additional legroom. For child safety, there are two sets of LATCH in the back seat. Comparing the competition, the Honda CR-V stands superior in terms of cabin room. While the Honda's interior isn't as premium as that's of the Ford and the Jeep, it stands far more spacious. Additionally, it promises a level of build quality unseen in Jeeps and Fords at this price point. Seating features include:

• 8-way power-adjustable front seats
• 60/40 split-folding rear seat.
• Heating and Ventilation. 
• Height Adjustment. 
• Leather Upholstery.
• Lumbar Support. 

2018 Jeep Cherokee Infotainment

The 2018 Jeep Cherokee comes with an 8.4-inch Uconnect 3C infotainment system, which is straightforward and is liked by many drivers. There are large graphics that are easy to read and are intuitive. With the Overland trim, Jeep offers an incredible 10-speaker sound system, which is fantastic. General features such as Bluetooth Audio Streaming, USB, and Aux support are offered as standard on all trims. Additionally, there's a SiriusXM Radio on offer, along with 3-months of paid services.  

Some key Infotainment features offered with the 2018 Jeep Cherokee include:

• Base 5-inch Infotainment Screen. 
• 8.5-inch Infotainment Screen + Uconnect 3C.  
• Base 6-speaker Audio System.
• Premium 10-Speaker Sound System. 
• Bluetooth Audio Streaming. 
• USB and Aux Support. 
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio. 
• Advanced Navigation System. 

The 2018 Jeep Cherokee is on the longer and wider side in its class. It also sits higher off the ground than most with 8.7 inches of ground clearance. The 2018 Jeep Cherokee is an aggressive-looking SUV with the stance of an off-roader. While the design is fairly elegant, it features several hints of loud elements. The Trailhawk trim looks rugged with tow hooks, extra body cladding, and larger wheels and tires. 

The top-trim Limited and Overland models meanwhile boast more chrome trim and a monochromatic color scheme. The front features Jeep's 7-slot grille, while the rear comes with sharp folds that further accentuate the Cherokee's aggressive appeal. There's also a dual-exhaust setup at the back, which adds symmetry. With lots of wheel arch cladding, chunky wheels, and a jacked-up stance, the 2018 Jeep Cherokee screams no-nonsense capability. 

The Jeep Cherokee makes its name shine for the highest offering in ground clearance. Also, the curb weight is on the higher side and the highest in the segment. Honda CR-V and the Ford Escape are identical with ground clearance and offer the same but they are much lighter than the Jeep Cherokee in terms of Curb Weight. Some highlight exterior features offered the 2018 Jeep Cherokee:

• Roof rails
• Dual chrome exhaust tip
• LED daytime running light
• Heated exterior mirror
• Wiper De-Icer
• Dual-Exhaust Tip
• Fender Cladding 

Everything considered the 2018 Jeep Cherokee stands as a fairly safe vehicle for daily driving. The NHTSA has crash-tested the new Jeep Cherokee and it has achieved an overall safety rating of 4-stars. It has also been through the testing process of the IIHS, and most of the results have been rated as "Good". The Cherokee comes standard with 10 airbags and a rear-view camera. Most Jeep models also come with Blind-Spot Monitoring and Automatic Park Assistance, while some trims can be fitted with Forwarding Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking. Some key safety features offered with the 2018 Jeep Cherokee include:

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), and Engine Brake Assist (EBA)
• Driver and front passenger front and side airbag supplemental restraint systems
• Side Curtain Protection head airbags
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat anchor points
• 3-point safety belts for all seating positions
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
• Brake Assist
• Stability Control

Jeep Cherokee vs Ford Escape

The 2018 Ford Escape is one of the most capable SUVs in the segment, thanks to its responsive handling and zesty base engine. Escape also gets two optional turbocharged engines that provide more power. If you are looking for an SUV that is fun to drive on city roads rather than navigating off-road trails, prefer going with the Escape. The Escape also features countless options to further optimize your driving experience, while those offered by the Cherokee stand limited in numbers. 

Jeep Cherokee vs Honda CR-V

It is hard to beat the Honda CR-V when it comes to safety ratings and reliability. It also boasts most cargo space in the segment and has a higher fuel economy than the Cherokee. The Honda is a great family hauler, but if your driving needs include venturing off-road then Jeep will perform the duty better any day. However, the CR-V stands far superior in terms of refinement, an aspect certainly uncomparable with Honda products. The Japanese SUV also comes with impressive amounts of room, even for cargo. However, the Jeep's cabin is far better-appointed than that of the Honda. 

The 2018 Jeep Cherokee stands as an extremely capable SUV with the knack for keeping you comfortable during long trips. While the base Inline-4 engine feels underpowered, the V6 comes off as potent and eager. With plenty of power from the V6 unit, the Cherokee executes easily overtakes, and offers an excellent high driving experience. Also, it earns an extra point for its off-roading capabilities. You get an excellent AWD experience in an environment that is far comfier than the Jeep Wrangler. However, there are some flaws that the SUV carries. It is marred by inadequate cargo space, which takes a big shunt on the Cherokee's practicality. Additionally, mediocre mileage makes things worse during city driving. If you have opted for the base engine, you miss out on a lot of power. That being said, the only reason we feel one might want to stick with one is if they really want to tow a lot of stuff (along with occasional off-roading) while being cocooned in comfort. Doesn't seem much of a value proposition, does it? We, therefore, suggest you keep your options open before making the 2018 Jeep Cherokee your final choice.