carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $31,165–$35,950 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 6.6/10, the 2020 Jeep Cherokee earns a Good rating among the suvs we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Technology at 8.9/10, while Value at 7.4/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability comes in at 7.8/10 in our assessment — above the middle of the pack for this class, though not flawless. Safety is a strength too — 8.5/10 by our scoring. As with any car, verify the official ratings for your specific trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
The 8.6/10 performance score reflects a chassis and powertrain that punch above the segment norm — this is a suv you choose partly for the drive itself. Technology scores 8.9/10 — one of the stronger tech packages in the segment. Expect a responsive infotainment system, broad smartphone integration, and a solid suite of driver-assistance features.
Priced from $31,165–$35,950, 20 MPG, seating 5, the Jeep Cherokee sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. Value lands at 7.4/10 — you get what you pay for, no more and no less, with a few rivals offering slightly better per-dollar returns. At 6 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee, but it needs the right buyer. and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2020 Jeep Cherokee ranks #2331 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 5% of the segment. Its 6.6/10 overall score is 0.8 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $31,165 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 14%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $35k →
Smart-money pick: the 2017 Jeep Cherokee scores 6.5/10 — within striking distance of the 2020's 6.6 — and starts roughly $3,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.3/10 | $29,355 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.3/10 | $29,355 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.3/10 | $28,500 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 6.8/10 | $34,352 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 6.7/10 | $33,290 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 6.6/10 | $32,227 | Read review → |
| 2020 (this review) | 6.6/10 | $31,165 | |
| 2019 | 6.6/10 | $30,102 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 6.6/10 | $29,040 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 6.5/10 | $27,977 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 6.4/10 | $26,915 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 6.3/10 | $25,852 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Back over prevention / sensing system / camera 10/09/2020 · 20V191000 | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Cherokee, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Renegade and 2019 Dodge Challenger… |
|---|---|
| Steering / Rack and pinion / Rack 29/08/2019 · 19V637000 | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The steering rack gear may break, possibly causing a loss of steering control. |
| Power train 07/05/2026 · 26V290000 | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail. |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2020 Jeep Cherokee's reliability 7.8/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
3 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 6.6/10 overall, ranking #2331 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 5% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2020 Jeep Cherokee starts at $31,165 and ranges up to $35,950 across trims (MSRP when new). At 20 MPG, expect roughly $2,625/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Other suvs at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Jeep models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
