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Regardless of all the bells, whistles, entertainment, and technology that are included in new vehicles, the one feature that is likely to be at the top of your list is safety. When it comes to driving with confidence, it all boils down to the features you can rely on. The Jeep Cherokee makes a safety statement with its rating as a 2019 Top Safety Pick. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety performs non-biased evaluations for all models and manufacturers. Since 2006, the IIHS has designated Top Safety Pick awards. Since 2013, awards have been given out for Top Safety Pick+. more When a vehicle is being evaluated, there are six tests applied. These include head restraints and seats, driver-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, roof strength, and side and front. IIHS Testing Testing for crashworthiness is important, as frontal crashes have become the most frequent accidents with deadly results. Crash testing began in the late 1970s with programs conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Crashworthiness evaluations began in 1995 by the IIHS, which currently runs three: driver-side small overlap test, passenger-side small overlap test, and moderate overlap test. 2019 Jeep Cherokee Top Safety Pick For 2019, the Jeep Cherokee Limited, Overland, and Trailhawk trim levels that were built after April 2019 and are equipped with the Technology Group Package earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation. To earn this rating, the Jeep Cherokee had to earn a "Good" rating in all crashworthiness tests, with the exception of the passenger-side small overlap front test, which will qualify for the Top Safety Pick rating even if it receives an acceptable rating. Safety Features When driving a Jeep, you can drive with peace of mind due to the advanced standard safety features, as well as optional, active, and passive features. The high-strength steel construction of the Jeep works in concert with its safety features. The steel structure supports and enhances crash protection, while optimizing the Jeep's weight. Other mechanical features that add to the strength, durability, maneuverability, and overall safety of the Cherokee include all-speed traction control, electronic roll mitigation, electronic stability control, and an enhanced accident response system. The full-speed collision warning with active braking crash mitigation system is an option on select models. The system works as a notification to the driver by sending audible alerts and preps the brakes when the system senses the possibility of a frontal impact. If there is no immediate response by the driver, and the system continues to sense a potential collision, the brakes bring the vehicle to a full stop. For passenger and driver safety, the Jeep is equipped with advanced multistage airbags, passenger seat belt alert, supplemental front seat-mounted side airbags, supplemental side-curtain rear and front airbags, passenger inflatable knee-bolster airbag, and the LATCH ready child seat anchor system. Whether you're traveling across the country on an extended vacation, across town for shopping, or off-road on an adventure, the Jeep Cherokee safety features offer a confident and safe driving experience. Test drive a 2019 Jeep Cherokee today at Thornton CDJR.   Image via Thornton CDJR

When you're shopping around for a new set of wheels, does domestic or foreign production make a difference in your decision? The compact Cherokee is one of Jeep's most recognized vehicle and remains the "most American car" for the second consecutive year, according to Cars.com. Let's look at why. What is the American-Made Index? The Jeep Cherokee received another first-place ranking on the Cars.com annual American-Made Index (AMI). But what is this report all about? Having a U.S. automaker's badge emblazoned on your car's grille doesn't always mean that it was built in the United States, and vice versa. more The automotive journalism experts at Cars.com sorted out the confusion and created the 2019 American-Made Index (AMI). By only considering vehicles built exclusively in the U.S., this annual study ranks the top 15 new cars whose production contributed the most to its local economy. This grading system utilizes five primary factors, from the assembly location to the number of jobs provided by each company's domestic factories. The Most American Car The Cherokee is built in Belvidere, Illinois. For the second year in a row, this SUV took the top spot on Cars.com's American-Made Index. For the 2018 model year, the report determined that Jeep's engineers used an impressive 72 percent domestic parts in the production of this world-class machine. Other determining factors included Jeep's engine and transmission sourcing. Cherokee's Award-Winning Qualities What qualities of the Jeep Cherokee made it worthy of receiving this designation? It's frankly one of the most comfortable and capable midsize SUVs on the planet. Since it was first introduced for the 2014 model year, Cherokee has been a reliable seller for this famous off-roading brand. Thanks to a refresh for 2019, this SUV now touts sleek, modern exterior styling. In addition to the stock 3.2-liter Pentastar V-6, its available with a new optional 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Each trim in the 2019 Cherokee lineup now features a standard 7-inch infotainment system, as well as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. This user-friendly technology is a significant improvement over earlier models, and you can upgrade to an 8.4-inch touch screen and available navigation and satellite radio. The Cherokee wouldn't be a Jeep if it didn't come with fantastic off-road abilities, especially the Trailhawk variants. Head off the beaten path with one of three optional four-wheel-drive systems and Selec-Terrain. This feature lets you dial in your SUV's performance to tackle a variety of challenging road conditions. Which Cherokee Trim Is Right for Me? The 2019 Cherokee is available in six trim levels. The base Latitude trim has a good number of newly available features. However, if you're in the market for a top Trail-Rated vehicle, you'll want one of the Trailhawk or Trailhawk Elite trims. The Latitude Plus, Limited, and Overland are also available. It's no surprise that the Cherokee continues to reign as a true American icon in the Jeep lineup. Join the ranks of all the loyal Jeep owners who drive this world-class SUV. Visit your local showroom today for a test drive of the most American vehicle on the lot. Image via Flickr by truckhardware | CC BY 2.0 | Cropped from original