If you’re in the market for one of the smaller Jeeps and like the Cherokee, you’ve got more than a few options. The base version is called the Latitude, but there’s also the Latitude Plus, as well as the Altitude, Trailhawk, Limited … well, you get the point. There are seven different trim levels to choose from. At least there was. Jeep recently introduced a new trim level called the Latitude Lux.

“The new 2021 Cherokee Latitude Lux truly enhances the Jeep lineup and is a direct reflection of what our customers want and value the most in their vehicle – everyday practicality, exceptional comfort, with outstanding ride and handling characteristics. As the most capable midsize sport-utility vehicle, the Jeep Cherokee, despite being imperfect, continues to offer consumers the ultimate blend of all-weather 4×4 capability and even more standard amenities at an incredible value,” said Jeep boss Jim Morrison in a statement.

How the Latitude Lux looks

Don’t expect the Jeep Cherokee Latitude Lux to stand out in traffic like the Cherokee Trailhawk does. The Lux is more of an equipment package than anything else. So while crossovers frequently sport different looks depending on the trim, that’s not the case here. It’s almost identical to the base Cherokee Latitude.

That doesn’t, however, mean that the Latitude Lux is a bad deal or something you should avoid. Automakers often bundle popular options at a discount when they add a new trim level to the lineup. But whether or not it’s the right choice for any one customer depends on what they’re looking for.

The features included on the Latitude Lux

Standard features include LED headlights, Nappa leather seats, a power front seat, a heated steering wheel and heated front seats, remote start, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. On the safety front, it includes automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic detection, lane keep assist, and rain-sensing wipers.

Power comes from Jeep’s 3.2-liter V6 and nine-speed automatic transmission. That configuration is rated to tow up to 4,500 lbs. You can also upgrade to the turbocharged four-cylinder, and if front-wheel-drive isn’t good enough for you, there’s also a 4×4 version.

Other options available on the Cherokee Latitude Lux include the Comfort and Convenience Group, a package that adds a number of desirable features such as a larger center screen and dual-zone climate control. Meanwhile, the Sun and Sound Group is exactly what its name suggests: a sunroof and an upgraded sound system. Finally, there’s a tow package that you’ll probably want if you ever plan to tow.

How much does the Cherokee Latitude Lux cost?

If you want the front-wheel-drive version the Latitude Lux costs $30,145 (plus a $1,495 destination charge), while the 4×4 Latitude Lux is $31,645 plus destination. That’s about $1,500 more than the Latitude Plus and almost exactly the same price as the blacked-out Altitude. Upgrading to the 80th Anniversary Edition will cost another $2,000 or so. The most expensive version, however, is still the Cherokee High Altitude, coming in at $36,965.

The Jeep Cherokee’s competitors

In the past, few people would have cross-shopped the Jeep Cherokee and the Toyota RAV4. And yet, that’s exactly the competitor Jeep had in mind when it updated the Cherokee for 2014. Toyota recently added a TRD version of the RAV4 to its lineup, but we’d still prefer a Cherokee if we were going off-road. The Subaru Forester still has its own off-road credibility, too.

If you’re looking for something more sporty than rugged, you’ll definitely want to check out the Maxda CX-5. Don’t cross the Honda CR-V off your list just yet, though. It’s surprisingly fun to drive despite also being almost impossibly practical.