Extremely popular, well-known, and always a top-seller, the Jeep Cherokee is one of those compact SUVs that hits many of the consumer sweet spots when it comes to performance, luxury, and comfort. It even has a bit of a wild side with its off-road-themed trims and sporty exterior options. But whenever most people talk about a Jeep Cherokee for sale worth buying, it’s almost always the upper-end trims, the off-road trims, or the high-performance trims.
The reality is that many SUV shoppers just want something affordable and fun to drive that fits into their daily driving habits. Maybe you don’t need all of the horsepower and torque that comes with a Trailhawk, or maybe you don’t need all of the luxury items that the Overland provides. What if you want an awesome, compact, sporty Jeep SUV that’s affordable and efficient for daily driving? Well, no need to wonder or worry; this list of the “Top 6 Casual Jeep Cherokee Models Perfect for Daily Driving” hits the nail on the topic’s head. That means focusing on any Jeep Cherokee for sale after the 2014 model year, great for those looking to buy new or used. So let’s get started.
#6. The 2015 Jeep Cherokee Sport
It’s known among a lot of potential SUV shoppers that Jeeps can be… difficult to maintain. These SUVs are designed to live up to the “Sport” in the “Sports Utility” aspect of the SUV acronym. They are typically designed for basic and off-road travel, requiring a different mechanical engineering structure than most other vehicles. In turn, it means they can be mechanically demanding, and the 2014 and 2015 model years were a good example of this.
Despite the reliability issues that came with these models, if you were sticking to strictly on-road traversal by using the front-wheel drive configuration, then you’re mostly in good hands. The 2015 Jeep Cherokee Sport is the perfect solution for that specific setup, as it warrants up to 25 MPG in the city and up to 30 MPG on the highway. You get all the basics you need to get to and from your destination while also having solid fuel economy. It’s a good compact daily driver with just enough of the bare-bones qualities to make for a decent purchase if you’re looking for an extremely low-priced used Jeep Cherokee for sale. Of course, you would still need to be mindful of the reliability issues with the drivetrain that some people have complained about.
#5. The 2016 Jeep Cherokee Altitude
The 2016 Jeep Cherokee Altitude is a significant step up from the 2014 and 2015 model years in terms of reliability. Fewer complaints, fewer recalls, and a slightly higher price. While the 2015 model can be found from most used dealerships for quite a steal, you would be getting a few more worthwhile features with the 2016 Cherokee Altitude by comparison.
The 2016 Jeep Cherokee Altitude comes with some noteworthy amenities compared to what you get with the Cherokee Sport.
If you’re looking for an affordable daily driver with more than just the barest of vehicular features, the 2016 Altitude ramps up the offerings with 18-inch black aluminum wheels, black exterior trimming, and additional technology. Instead of being paired with the 5-inch infotainment center, the Altitude comes with an 8.4-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. This gives the compact SUV much more value for those who have to make long commutes as part of their daily driving routine. The improved infotainment makes the ride more tolerable, in addition to the upgraded cloth seats and handling.
#4. The 2018 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus
The Latitude Plus may seem like a step down from the Altitude, but two years removed from the 2016 model, it has a few more options to its arsenal that make it well worth the purchase. You get the 8.4-inch infotainment suite with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, along with Bluetooth wireless connectivity. That means hands-free phone calls and text messaging.
With the 4-cylinder in the front-wheel drive, you also have access to the best fuel economy that the model year Cherokee offers. That means 21 MPG in the city and up to 30 MPG on the highway. Even if you have to travel off-road at some point due to work, business, or travel, you still have an able-bodied compact SUV that is rugged enough for basic traveling purposes. If you’re looking for a well-rounded Jeep Cherokee for sale with just enough interior comfort, infotainment, security, and stability, along with worthwhile fuel economy, then the 2018 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus is a good way to go.
#3. The 2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited
We’re moving into the home-run territory of affordable, reliable, and fuel-efficient Jeep Cherokees. The 2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited is one such model, combining many of the great rugged features from the past with the fuel efficiency, comfort levels, and reliability of the newer model year designs. The 2019 Jeep Cherokee is that nice middle ground without pricing itself outside those who need something for daily driving.
It’s available in four-wheel drive or front-wheel drive. If you want the extra fuel savings for long-range daily commutes, front-wheel drive is the best way to go, with 22 MPG in the city and up to 31 MPG on the highway. Additionally, the Limited comes with a heated power driver’s seat, an 8.4-inch HD touchscreen, and memory control settings. It’s a bit more costly than the other trims but still economical enough to bridge that gap between affordability and comfort driving.
#2. The 2020 Jeep Cherokee Altitude
Classified as one of the most reliable model years in the history of the Jeep Cherokee’s run on the market, there’s no real way to go wrong with a 2020 Jeep Cherokee Altitude. It features a lot of the mechanical upgrades that have come from the engineers perfecting the Cherokee’s design. In addition to having great feedback on its reliability and longevity, the 2020 Jeep Cherokee Altitude is one of five trims available in front-wheel drive, making it one of the more affordable trims from this particular model year outing.
The 2020 Jeep Cherokee Altitude comes equipped with everything the Latitude Plus features, which means you get a power driver’s seat, panoramic sunroof, and all of the infotainment accouterments that the Latitude Plus has to offer. You get the benefit of 18-inch wheels, the fuel economy of the front-wheel drive 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder, and a much more comfortable riding experience than previous model year outings. All of this at a price that’s much lower than the upper-end trims or newer model years. This is an accumulation of the best aspects of the available 2020 Cherokee trims for those looking for a used model that’s affordable, reliable, and feature-rich.
#1. The 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude LUX
What you give up in price, you make up for with additional durability, comfort, and efficiency. That sums up the 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude LUX, which comes with improvements across the board, and plenty of critically acclaimed reviews to back up that sentiment. Better fuel economy, better interior cargo volume, and better reliability. You cannot go wrong here if you want a compact SUV for daily driving needs, whether it’s short downtown trips or an extensive road trip; the Latitude LUX has you covered.
The 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude LUX can be configured in front-wheel drive with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers up to 23 MPG in the city and up to 31 MPG on the highway. That’s some of the best gas mileage you can get from a Jeep Cherokee. Combine the fuel economy with premium cabin comfort options like power driver and front passenger seats with lumbar support and the latest in infotainment, and you have an SUV that checks all the boxes that make for a great daily driver. When you’re looking for a Jeep Cherokee specifically for everyday driving needs, the 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude LUX is the way to go.
