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.
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
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