2020 Jeep Cherokee Interior Review: Still Fresh

It's no secret that the automotive industry moves fast, with fierce competition in every segment. It's normal for vehicles generations to be replaced every five or six years, bringing new technology on board and under the skin, as well as better safety technologies. Jeep introduced the current-gen Cherokee as a 2014 model at the 2013 New York International Auto Show. In early 2018, the SUV got a midcycle refresh that provided its interior and exterior with a younger vibe.

We recently spent some time in the 2020 Jeep Cherokee, and we were pleased with its roominess and the quality of materials throughout the cabin.

2020 Jeep Cherokee: Infotainment System

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In the past, we've commended Jeep and other FCA products for their great infotainment systems. Uconnect is one of the best systems on the market, as it's easy to use and has great graphics. It's also fast and designed just like a smartphone, so there's basically no learning curve. Our Trailhawk model was equipped with the optional 8.4-inch screen, which is ideal when you're using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, as it's big enough to read every font.

Lower Cherokee trims are equipped with a 7.0-inch screen, which also comes with the same Uconnect infotainment system. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard in the Cherokee, so you don't really have to pay extra for navigation.

2020 Jeep Cherokee: Dimensions

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Whether you sit in the front or second row, the 2020 Jeep Cherokee is quite spacious. Rear-seat passengers have plenty of legroom, though headroom is a bit limited at 38.5 inches. With the driver's seat position adjusted for my 6-foot frame, I climbed in the second row and noted good legroom—40.3 inches, to be exact.

I especially enjoyed the panoramic sunroof when seated in the second row. It makes the cabin feel airier and more spacious. Rear-seat passengers also get to enjoy their own air vents and two USB ports, keeping them cooled and connected on road trips.

With 49.4 cubic feet of cargo room, there's plenty of space for everyone's gear, and the second row folds completely flat, which is helpful when you need to make trips to Home Depot or Ikea.

2020 Jeep Cherokee: Interior Materials

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The Trailhawk model comes with the Cherokee's most upscale interior. The Nappa leather is soft, the red stitching makes it look premium, and the seats are quite comfortable for long road trips. The perforated leather front seats up the game, and the leather that graces the steering wheel and the beefy shifter is of good quality.

Hard plastics are used in few places, but most of the areas wear upgraded materials that make the cabin more comfortable.

2020 Jeep Cherokee: Interior Design

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Because this is a Jeep, you can expect a few cool interior details. For example, the steering wheel has a badge that reads "Since 1949," reminding the driver when the brand was created. Other design details include a dashboard with the typical Jeep font and the 4WD selector, which is a simple knob in front of the shifter.

Although the quality of the materials is very good, we wish Jeep offered more interior colors, as the Trailhawk is only available in black. The Cherokee offers more color combinations for other trims, but this off-road-oriented model is black-on-black only.