— Hot off the debut of an all-new Wrangler, Jeep revealed the first images of its updated 2019 Cherokee — a refresh that's a long time coming, given that the current generation debuted back in early 2013.
Related: Nine Things About the Cherokee's Nine-Speed Transmission
The images signal a more conventional face that appears to consolidate last year's split-level design, with fanglike running lights above sunken headlights into a single bezel. It still bears a fanglike shape, to be sure, but it's taller and less distracting. Throw in more-conventional foglights below, and the new face splits the difference between the 2014-18 Cherokee and the redesigned Compass. Jeep repeats the theme in back, where the updated taillights also go the Compass route.
A second frontal image shows two-tone bumpers with tow hooks and smaller foglight portals, possibly for the Cherokee's off-road (Trailhawk) variant. Less appears to have changed inside, where the Cherokee maintains a wraparound dashboard and split-level controls.
Jeep promises a "new, authentic and more premium design" and "even more fuel-efficient powertrain choices." Today's Cherokee offers a 2.4-liter four-cylinder or 3.2-liter V-6, both paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission; whether such language signals the Wrangler's forthcoming 3.0-liter diesel option remains to be seen.
The Cherokee will debut in full at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Jan. 16. Stay tuned for our on-the-ground impressions from the show.
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