2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus: Specs, Features & Review
The compact SUV segment is one of the most competitive in the entire automotive market, and finding a vehicle that balances capability, practicality, and value without compromising on any of the three is genuinely difficult.
The 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus makes a credible attempt at that balance — and for a specific kind of buyer, it largely succeeds. It is not the sharpest-handling compact SUV available in its price range. It is not the most fuel-efficient.
But it brings something most competitors cannot offer at this price point: a legitimate 4WD system, a recognizable Jeep off-road heritage, standard safety technology that was elevated for 2021, and a standard equipment list that starts to make real sense once you understand exactly what the Latitude Plus adds over the base Latitude.
This review covers everything a buyer needs to know about the 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus — engine options and real-world performance, the 4WD system, the interior quality and technology, the standard and available feature list, safety ratings and equipment, the pricing structure, how it compares against competitors, and an honest verdict on who should buy one and who should not.
If you are shopping this vehicle for yourself or researching a used-market purchase, this guide is written to give you the complete picture.
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Short Answer About 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus
The 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus is a compact SUV designed for comfort, practicality, and everyday performance. It features a fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engine, available front-wheel and all-wheel drive options, and an automatic transmission for smooth driving.
The interior offers seating for five passengers with modern technology, including a touchscreen infotainment system and smartphone connectivity features. It also provides a comfortable ride, useful cargo space, and a range of safety features.
Overall, it is a versatile SUV suitable for commuting, family trips, and light outdoor adventures.
2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus: Where It Sits in the Lineup
To understand the 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus, it helps to understand where it sits within the 2021 Cherokee model hierarchy. The 2021 Cherokee is available in five main trim levels: Latitude, Latitude Plus, Latitude LUX (new for 2021), Trailhawk, and Limited.
The 2021 model year also introduced the 80th Anniversary Edition and a handful of appearance packages — the Altitude, Freedom, and High Altitude — that bolt onto existing trims rather than creating standalone configurations.
The base Latitude starts at $26,290 and provides a solid foundation, but it leaves out several features that buyers in this segment now consider standard expectations. The 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus starts at $31,020 for the FWD configuration and $32,520 for the 4WD version.
That $4,000 to $5,000 premium over the base Latitude buys a specific set of upgrades that collectively make the Latitude Plus the genuine value sweet spot of the Cherokee range — at least for buyers who do not need the more sophisticated drivetrain options of the Trailhawk or the premium interior of the Limited.
The upgrades the Latitude Plus adds over the base Latitude are worth listing explicitly because they are precisely the features that most buyers would end up adding through option packages on the base trim anyway.
The Latitude Plus includes fog lights, upgraded 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, cloth and vinyl seating, windshield wiper de-icer, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, Apple CarPlay integration, Android Auto integration, and SiriusXM satellite radio.
When you price those additions individually on the base Latitude, the Latitude Plus pricing makes strong financial sense. TrueCar identified the 4WD Latitude Plus specifically as the value pick of the entire 2021 Cherokee lineup, and that assessment is well-founded.
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2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus: Engine Options and Performance
The 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus comes standard with a 2.4-liter Tigershark naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 171 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with Jeep’s nine-speed automatic transmission and is available in both front-wheel drive and 4WD configurations with the Jeep Active Drive I all-wheel-drive system.
The honest assessment of the 2.4-liter engine is that it is the weakest part of the Latitude Plus package.
180 horsepower sounds adequate on paper, but the Cherokee weighs approximately 3,800 to 4,000 pounds depending on configuration — and that weight makes the standard engine feel noticeably strained under hard acceleration, particularly when the vehicle is loaded with passengers and cargo.
In normal city driving and steady highway cruising, it is adequate. But highway merging, passing maneuvers, and uphill driving with a full load expose its limitations clearly.
The nine-speed automatic transmission that manages this engine has been a source of complaints since its introduction in the Cherokee lineup. It is not a bad transmission in the traditional sense — it does not lurch or slip in normal use — but it can feel hesitant during transitions between low speeds and highway speeds.
And it sometimes takes an extra moment to find the right gear when you need power quickly. Drivers who have owned previous-generation Jeeps with simpler six-speed automatics tend to notice the difference in how confidently the nine-speed manages daily driving tasks.
Fuel economy with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder in FWD configuration is rated at 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway, for a combined 25 mpg. With the 4WD system, those numbers drop to 21 city and 29 highway, for a combined 24 mpg.
In real-world mixed driving, owners consistently report 22 to 24 mpg in combined use regardless of drivetrain configuration, which is competitive for the segment.
The 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus does not have access to the optional 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 270 horsepower — that engine is reserved for the Latitude LUX and Limited trims above.
If the 2.0-liter turbo’s extra power is important to you, the Latitude Plus is not the trim to target. The optional 3.2-liter V6 with 271 horsepower is also not available on the Latitude Plus — it is only offered on the Latitude LUX, Trailhawk, and Limited.
For buyers who are committed to the Latitude Plus trim, the standard 2.4-liter is the only engine option. It is manageable in daily use if you are coming from a similar-class vehicle without a performance expectation. For buyers upgrading from a more powerful vehicle, the engine limitation is the most significant compromise in choosing this trim.
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2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus: 4WD System and Off-Road Capability
One of the genuine differentiating strengths of the 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus over most compact SUV competitors at its price point is the availability of a real 4WD system rather than the pseudo-AWD systems that most competitors in this segment offer.
The Cherokee’s Jeep Active Drive I system is a full-time all-wheel-drive setup that automatically distributes torque between the front and rear axles based on driving conditions without requiring driver input. Jeep Active Drive I, available on the Latitude Plus, operates across a range of surfaces and conditions.
It includes a rear-biased torque distribution that sends up to 100 percent of available torque to the rear axle when conditions demand it, which gives the Cherokee a distinctly different traction character than front-heavy AWD systems that only activate the rear wheels as an afterthought when the fronts slip. Hill start assist is standard, which prevents the vehicle from rolling backward when pulling away from a stop on a steep grade.
It is important to be clear about what the Latitude Plus’s 4WD system does and does not offer compared to higher Cherokee trims. The Trailhawk — which is the dedicated off-road Cherokee — gets Jeep Active Drive Lock with a rear limited-slip differential, additional ground clearance of 8.7 inches versus 8.3 on the Latitude Plus, skid plate protection under the engine and transmission, and all-terrain tires.
The Latitude Plus’s Jeep Active Drive I is a capable system for wet roads, light snow, gravel, and unpaved surfaces, but it is not a system designed for serious rock crawling or deep mud. Buyers who need genuine trail capability should look at the Trailhawk specifically.
For the buyer who wants confidence in winter weather, the ability to drive unpaved roads to campsites or trailheads, and the security of a real AWD system in daily driving — which describes the majority of buyers in this segment — the Jeep Active Drive I in the 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus delivers on all three counts.
It is a more capable system than the torque-vectoring AWD setups found in many compact crossover competitors, and at the Latitude Plus price point, it represents genuine value for buyers who care about all-weather performance.
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2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus: Full Specs at a Glance
- Starting MSRP (FWD): $31,020
- Starting MSRP (4WD): $32,520
- Engine: 2.4L Tigershark I4 DOHC naturally aspirated
- Horsepower: 180 hp at 6,400 rpm
- Torque: 171 lb-ft at 4,200 rpm
- Transmission: 9-speed automatic
- Drivetrain: FWD standard / Jeep Active Drive I AWD optional
- Fuel Economy (FWD): 22 city / 31 highway / 25 combined MPG
- Fuel Economy (4WD): 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG
- Fuel tank capacity: 15.8 gallons
- Length: 182.0 inches
- Width: 73.2 inches
- Height: 66.2 inches
- Wheelbase: 106.6 inches
- Ground clearance: 8.3 inches
- Curb weight: approximately 3,800 to 4,000 lbs depending on configuration
- Seating capacity: 5 passengers
- Cargo volume behind rear seats: 25.8 cubic feet
- Maximum cargo volume: 54.9 cubic feet
- Towing capacity: 2,000 lbs (4-cylinder)
- Turning diameter: 37.7 feet
- Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
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2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus: Interior, Comfort, and Technology
The interior of the 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus is where the upgrade over the base Latitude becomes most tangible in everyday use. The heated front seats and heated steering wheel — both standard on the Latitude Plus — are the additions that owners in colder climates notice most consistently.
These are features that would require an option package on the base Latitude, and their inclusion at the Latitude Plus base price removes a common reason for disappointment in the first winter of ownership.
The seating itself uses cloth and vinyl upholstery that is more durable in appearance than pure cloth, which gives the cabin a slightly more finished look than the base Latitude while still being easy to clean after wet dogs, muddy boots, or young children have done their worst.
The front seats are manually adjustable in six directions on the driver’s side. Power seat adjustment is not standard on the Latitude Plus — it requires moving up to the Latitude LUX or Limited — but the manual adjustment range is adequate for most driver positions.
Rear seat space in the 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus is adequate but not generous. The 106.6-inch wheelbase is among the shorter measurements in the compact SUV segment, and rear passengers notice it on longer drives. Adults of average height can sit comfortably for moderate distances, but the rear cabin does not offer the kind of space that makes a family road trip genuinely comfortable for everyone on board.
The cargo area is similarly compact — 25.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats is less than several direct competitors including the Honda CR-V’s 39.2 cubic feet and the Toyota RAV4’s 37.6 cubic feet. This is perhaps the most significant practical limitation of the Cherokee across all trim levels, and the Latitude Plus does not change it.
The infotainment system in the 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus is Uconnect 4, displayed on a 7-inch touchscreen that comes standard. This system is responsive, logically organized, and easy to use — Uconnect has been among the better-regarded infotainment platforms in the industry for several generations.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard on the Latitude Plus, which is an upgrade from the base Latitude where they required adding the Uconnect 4 with 8.4-inch Display package. Both integrate cleanly and reliably with the 7-inch display.
SiriusXM satellite radio is standard on the Latitude Plus — another base Latitude omission that the Plus trim fills. Remote start is also standard, which is a meaningful convenience feature for buyers in climates where pre-heating or pre-cooling the cabin matters. Keyless entry and push-button start round out the convenience technology standard on this trim.
One technology feature worth noting that is absent from the 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus is the 8.4-inch Uconnect display. The larger screen, along with its associated enhanced navigation and additional connected services, is exclusive to the Latitude LUX, Trailhawk, and Limited trims.
For buyers who use the native navigation system heavily, this is a reason to consider stepping up to the Latitude LUX. For buyers who rely primarily on Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for navigation, the 7-inch display is perfectly functional.
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2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus: Safety Features and Ratings
The 2021 model year brought meaningful changes to the Cherokee’s standard safety technology, and the 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus benefits from those changes directly. Features that were previously optional — and therefore often overlooked or skipped by cost-conscious buyers — became standard across all 2021 Cherokee trims, including the Latitude Plus.
Standard active safety features on the 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus include full-speed forward collision warning with active braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, lane departure warning, and hill start assist. These six features represent a comprehensive passive and active safety baseline that covers the most common accident scenarios: front-end collisions, lane changes into occupied adjacent lanes, and reversing into cross traffic.
The backup camera is standard across all 2021 Cherokee trims and functions clearly with adequate resolution and wide coverage angle. The addition of rear cross-path detection as a standard feature is particularly valuable in busy parking areas where the backup camera’s field of view does not capture vehicles approaching from the far ends of a parking row.
In NHTSA crash testing, the 2021 Cherokee received an overall five-star rating, with five stars in the side barrier test and four stars in the frontal barrier and pole tests. In IIHS testing, the Cherokee earned Good ratings in moderate overlap front, small overlap right side, side, and roof strength tests.
The headlights on the standard Latitude Plus configuration received a Marginal rating from IIHS — an improvement over the base Latitude’s headlights but below the Good designation that LED headlights on higher trims achieve. For buyers who drive frequently in low-light conditions, the headlight limitation at the Latitude Plus trim level is worth knowing.
Available safety technology on the 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus through option packages includes ParkSense automatic parallel and perpendicular parking assist, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system.
The ParkSense automatic parking feature is a genuine differentiator against most competitors at this price level, where self-parking technology is typically reserved for significantly higher trim levels or price points. For urban drivers who deal regularly with tight parallel parking situations, this optional feature is worth adding.
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2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus: Standard Features List
Here is the complete standard equipment list for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus, covering what every configuration includes without adding any option packages:
Powertrain and Drivetrain:
- 2.4L Tigershark I4 naturally aspirated engine — 180 hp
- 9-speed automatic transmission
- FWD standard (Jeep Active Drive I AWD optional at $1,500 additional)
- Hill start assist
- Selec-Terrain terrain management system (Auto, Snow, Sport, Sand/Mud modes)
Exterior:
- 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels (upgraded from base Latitude)
- Fog lights
- Roof rails
- Power-operated outside mirrors with turn signals
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Windshield wiper de-icer (new to Latitude Plus, not available on base Latitude)
- Rear privacy glass
- LED accent lighting
Interior:
- Cloth and vinyl bucket seats (upgraded appearance vs base Latitude cloth)
- Heated front seats
- Heated steering wheel (leather-wrapped)
- 6-way manually adjustable driver’s seat
- Fold-flat front passenger seat
- 60/40 split-folding rear seat
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Remote start
- Keyless entry with push-button start
- 8-way power passenger seat (in some configurations)
Technology:
- 7-inch Uconnect 4 touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay
- Android Auto
- SiriusXM satellite radio (with trial subscription)
- Bluetooth hands-free
- Two front USB-A ports
- Wi-Fi hotspot capable (LTE)
Safety (all standard):
- Full-speed forward collision warning with active braking
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-path detection
- Lane departure warning
- Backup camera
- Hill start assist
2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus: Pricing, Value, and Competition
The 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus original MSRP of $31,020 FWD and $32,520 4WD placed it in the middle of a competitive pricing landscape. Against its primary competitors at the time of original sale, the pricing story was mixed.
The Honda CR-V EX — which is a reasonable feature-equivalent comparison — started at approximately $29,460 in 2021. The Toyota RAV4 XLE Premium started at approximately $30,390. The Subaru Forester Premium started at around $27,345. On a pure price basis, the Cherokee Latitude Plus sat at the upper end of this comparison group.
Where the 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus justifies its positioning against those competitors is in the 4WD system.
The Jeep Active Drive I is a more sophisticated all-weather system than the RAV4’s AWD system at this price point and offers genuine low-range capability that most competitors cannot match at any price in the compact segment without going to a Subaru XV Crosstrek or a more specialized vehicle.
For buyers in snowy climates, rural areas, or anyone who accesses unpaved roads regularly, this distinction matters enough to justify the slight premium. In the used market as of 2026, the 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus has depreciated approximately 31 percent from its original MSRP according to Kelley Blue Book data.
Current private party values range from approximately $15,130 to $17,680 depending on condition and mileage, with trade-in values running from $12,140 to $14,290. This puts the Latitude Plus in competitive territory for used compact SUV buyers — approximately $16,000 to $18,000 for a well-maintained example with average mileage represents fair market pricing in 2026.
The KBB review identifies the Latitude Plus’s strengths as real off-road ability, V6 and turbo-four engine options on higher trims, outstanding high-tech features at higher trims, and many standard safety features.
Its weaknesses are identified as average reliability and resale value, an underpowered base engine, small cargo area, and a price point slightly above some rivals. These assessments align with what real owners report over time.
2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Heated front seats and heated steering wheel standard — not optional
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard at this trim level
- Jeep Active Drive I AWD available — more capable than many compact crossover AWD systems
- Full-speed forward collision warning with active braking now standard for 2021
- Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-path detection standard for 2021
- Remote start standard
- SiriusXM satellite radio standard
- Strong value over base Latitude for the added features
- Selec-Terrain system with multiple drive modes for different surfaces
- Competitive used-market pricing in 2026
Cons:
- 2.4-liter base engine is underpowered for the vehicle’s weight
- Nine-speed automatic transmission can feel hesitant
- Cargo area is among the smallest in the compact SUV segment at 25.8 cu ft
- Rear seat space is tight compared to CR-V, RAV4, and Forester
- Standard headlights received only Marginal IIHS rating
- No access to optional 2.0-liter turbo or 3.2-liter V6 on Latitude Plus trim
- 7-inch infotainment screen (not the 8.4-inch available on higher trims)
- Average reliability scores compared to Japanese competitors
Who Should Buy the 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus?
The 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus is the right vehicle for a specific buyer profile. If you want a compact SUV with a real AWD system, standard heated seats and steering wheel, Apple CarPlay, a comprehensive active safety suite, and the Jeep brand’s credibility in light off-road situations — all for a used-market price now approaching $16,000 to $18,000 — the Latitude Plus delivers well on that specific combination.
It is particularly well-suited for buyers in colder climate states where AWD reliability in winter conditions is a primary concern and where the heated seat and de-iced wiper additions feel less like luxury features and more like basic necessities.
The Jeep Active Drive I’s winter traction performance is genuinely strong in snow and slush, and paired with the hill start assist, it manages most winter driving scenarios without requiring driver vigilance.
Buyers who should look elsewhere fall into two main categories. If cargo space is a primary requirement — you regularly haul sports equipment, bulky purchases, or large cargo loads — the Cherokee’s 25.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats is likely to disappoint relative to the CR-V, RAV4, or Forester.
And if you want a sharper, more confident powertrain at this price point, the 2.4-liter four-cylinder will frustrate you over time. In both cases, the Honda CR-V EX or Toyota RAV4 XLE Premium in the used market at similar prices are better choices.
My Final Thoughts:
The 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus is a well-considered compact SUV that earns its place in the segment through specific strengths rather than across-the-board excellence.
Its 4WD system is genuinely capable, its 2021 safety upgrades make it more competitive than its previous-generation predecessors, its heated seat and connectivity standard equipment make the daily ownership experience comfortable, and its current used-market pricing makes it an accessible option for buyers in the $16,000 to $18,000 range.
Its weaknesses — the underpowered base engine, the compact cargo area, the tight rear seating, and reliability scores that trail the Japanese competition — are real limitations that buyers should understand before committing.
But for the buyer who values Jeep’s AWD capability and wants a compact SUV with honest daily livability at an accessible used-market price, the Latitude Plus makes a well-structured case for itself.
FAQs
What are the key highlights of this SUV model?
This SUV offers a comfortable interior, modern technology features, smooth driving performance, and a practical design suitable for daily use and family travel.
Does this SUV come in different drivetrain options?
Yes, it is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options, allowing drivers to choose based on their driving needs and road conditions.
What type of engine does this SUV have?
It is equipped with a fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engine paired with an automatic transmission that delivers balanced performance and efficiency.
How many passengers can this SUV seat?
This model comfortably seats up to five passengers with spacious legroom and flexible cargo space for added convenience.
Is this SUV a good option for daily use?
Yes, it is considered a reliable and practical choice for commuting, family trips, and light off-road driving due to its comfort and versatility.
I’m M Ahmad Ansari, a Lexus enthusiast with 5+ years of hands-on experience across the entire lineup—from the RC F’s roaring V8 to the whisper-quiet RZ electric. I understand what separates Japanese luxury from the rest: obsessive engineering, unmatched reliability, and that refined driving feel you can’t find anywhere else. Whether it’s F Sport performance packages, hybrid technology, or choosing between new and certified models, I bring real-world knowledge and genuine passion for what makes Lexus exceptional.
