I'm really considering this to replace the Explorer (which is great, but its too big). It's getting a lot of criticism for being a cross-over, its based on the same platform as the Dart, but I like that. I don't want a body on frame truck, this seems like the perfect amount of off-road capabilities that I would need.

I hated the styling at first, but I like it now. The prices are still too high for the model I would want, but I'm watching for used an off-lease models to hit the market.

I'm assuming you guys hate it because it's not body-on-frame with a solid front axle?

1/26/2014 11:50:38 AM

I like it a lot. I'm not going to get rid of my four-door Wrangler for one, but I'm trying to convince my wife to sell her car for a new Cherokee.

1/26/2014 12:08:11 PM

I saw one in person and really liked the styling, from the front-end at least.

I take it you're not interested in the new Explorer? Too big? Love the styling on that one...

Quote :

"but I'm watching for used an off-lease models to hit the market"

That's gonna be a long wait right?

1/26/2014 12:40:02 PM

it looks like a non-quirky suv with very quirky headlights

1/26/2014 12:59:13 PM

^^ I'm not sure why, since lease terms are longer, but you usually see them after a year. Maybe early returns? We have one of the new Explorers, but its just too big for us. I think the width is what makes it feel so big; it handles and steers pretty well but you are definitely aware of how large it is. One of the few offroad places I want to drive is on the beach, and I'm still nervous about how well the Explorer would do. The Trailhawk Cherokee looks capable enough for me to take on the beach and on the logging roads near our mountain place.

the front reminds of the the Isuzu Vehicross, which I like

[Edited on January 26, 2014 at 1:19 PM. Reason : .]

1/26/2014 1:08:51 PM

One weird thing I just learned: The Trailhawk model is not available with HIDs. That is weird to me for a premium trim level in 2014, if I get one of these the first thing I'm doing it finding a way to upgrade the headlights (I'm assuming there will be a 3rd party solution or a way to use the limited model HIDs by then).

1/26/2014 2:24:08 PM

I think they are pretty interesting package. Could be a good homage to the XJ (albeit a very modern take). They seem more capable than your average crossover, and if they can hit the MPG claims that makes for a very flexible vehicle. At worst you have to admit this is one of the more interesting cars Jeep has brought us in a while.

Personally I'm still in wait and see mode on the powertrain, especially the transmission. Jeep (and Chrysler) don't have the most stellar reputation here (some of this is personal experience so just my 2 cents). Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't this a brand new transmission developed for this car? Does anyone have experience with 8 speed (I think?) transmissions in the Chrysler 300 and maybe some Ram trucks?

Edit: I don't see how anyone could complain too loudly about it not being body on frame. The XJ wasn't. You've got to be understanding about IFS too. The XJ was one of the last "mid size" SUVs with a solid axle toward the end of its run and was one of the reasons they ended production.

[Edited on January 26, 2014 at 5:08 PM. Reason : .]

1/26/2014 4:47:06 PM

same transmission in the Range Rover Evoque and Chrysler 200 (built by ZF)

but I agree, that's another reason I'm waiting a bit. They had some programming issues initially, so I want to make sure they worked out all the issues.

1/26/2014 5:02:14 PM

Jesus, same as a range rover?


Runaway, runaway.......






/only half kidding

1/26/2014 5:12:22 PM

what kinda MPGs we talking here?

1/26/2014 9:26:02 PM

looks like people are getting 18-23 with the v6

1/26/2014 9:42:31 PM

looks pretty fugly to me

1/26/2014 11:06:13 PM

I agree with nrr on well everything said this far.

1/27/2014 6:21:13 AM

Its the most attractive crossover on the market

1/27/2014 6:54:27 AM

Isn't it 30 mpg highway (est.) though?

1/27/2014 7:29:00 AM

the FWD 4cyl is 22/31, but I don't see any models with a combined higher than 25mpg. The reports on fuelly are in line with the EPA estimates, with a few people getting higher and a few getting lower. The highest on fuelly is 27.1mpg (FWD V6).

1/27/2014 8:09:26 AM

i find the front in to be hideous.

1/27/2014 9:06:57 AM

Doesn't the new Cherokee have a 9 speed ZF unit, not an 8?

1/27/2014 9:12:38 AM

yeah, they were asking about the 8 in a different car

[Edited on January 27, 2014 at 9:48 AM. Reason : since its been around longer]

1/27/2014 9:48:13 AM

Quote :

"Its the most attractive crossover on the market"

Haha are you serious? New Cherokee makes Pontiac Aztec look good.

1/27/2014 10:17:28 AM

I think it looks good, for a crossover SUV. Name one you think looks better.

1/27/2014 10:19:48 AM

All of them? Although I got to admit, the segment became kind of odd-looking in the last model year or two. I guess if you want something that not plain-vanilla ugly, like the new Outlander, at least Cherokee is in-you-face ugly, like you don't give a fuck. Some may say, well that goes for every controversially-styled vehicle ever built, but most of the rest at least adhered to a cohesive design language and held some sort of pleasing lines and proportions (Hummer H2/H3, PT Cruiser, Ford Flex, Nissan Murano), or their look was based on usefullness or aerodynamics (Scion xB, Prius). This here Cherokee is in the same club as Aztec and Juke, from the recent history, just an odd design with no particular sense of purpose. Most people will look at it and gag, although im sure it'll find some fans like anything else that stands out.

1/27/2014 10:47:34 AM

As a vehicle, I like it.
As a Cherokee, I don't. The issue isn't body on frame--I know the XJ wasn't--the issue is FWD and car-based. Granted, non car-based SUVs are fading away, but a Cherokee should be more a truck than a car. I don't see that here.

Plus I've never seen the point of a non-AWD SUV or crossover. If you're not going to check that option box, might as well buy a minivan.

[Edited on January 27, 2014 at 10:55 AM. Reason : e]

1/27/2014 10:54:39 AM

I'd be pretty happy if a lot of people think its ugly, cause then the price will come down quicker and I can get one sooner

1/27/2014 11:27:43 AM

Quote :

"Plus I've never seen the point of a non-AWD SUV or crossover. If you're not going to check that option box, might as well buy a minivan."

1/27/2014 11:46:31 AM

Quote :

"As a vehicle, I like it. As a Cherokee, I don't. The issue isn't body on frame--I know the XJ wasn't--the issue is FWD and car-based. Granted, non car-based SUVs are fading away, but a Cherokee should be more a truck than a car. I don't see that here."

100% agree. the last iteration of Cherokee (unibody & solid axles f/r) is what I consider the more or less an awesome SUV. Light, powerful, smaller, and boy howdy do they get it done. Slightly less purpose built than the wrangler-style, but with still enough ruggedness to basically go anywhere.

also...

1/27/2014 1:15:22 PM

RIP

1/27/2014 7:31:25 PM

^knows whats up.

1/27/2014 7:39:50 PM

I've driven the 4WD V6 models. They're good vehicles. The new transmission is fine from what I've experienced. The used vehicles you are talking about with low mileage come off of short term employee lease. The interior is pretty nice for what it is. It's much better than the Liberty it replaced. This Cherokee has an actual 4-Lo type of 4WD system available even though it's a transversely mounted car-like chassis. It's more rugged than competitors in that class, but no it will never be the oldschool Cherokee from the days of less strict safety standards and $1.50 gallon gas.

The 2.4 MultiAir is the same engine that's available in the Dart, and the 3.2 is a smaller version of the 3.6 that Chrysler has had a few years.

1/27/2014 8:38:04 PM

I figure 56:1 crawl ratio and rear lockers can get me through more than I'll ever need

1/27/2014 8:54:51 PM

Cherokee Trailhawk vs. Patriot down trail
http://youtu.be/ojmwIO80gXI

Cherokee Trailhawk, Patriot, Wrangler down trail
http://youtu.be/N9DNwVtnOms

Cherokee Trailhawk, Patriot, Wrangler up hill
http://youtu.be/wN1nsvDXRpQ

Cherokee Trailhawk hill climb
http://youtu.be/3jbd7OVSft8

Cherokee Trailhawk hill descent
http://youtu.be/Xf9BJw7Eq-g

Cherokee Trailhawk off road

yep, plenty of off-road capability for me


[Edited on January 31, 2014 at 1:50 PM. Reason : .]

1/31/2014 1:40:28 PM

I'm pretty sure Teg has driven his GSR up that trail

1/31/2014 1:56:01 PM

I'm biased, but I was looking at the Cherokee as a potential option when looking for something to replace my 2000 Cherokee mall cruiser (2wd). It looked pretty damn expensive for what it is and the mileage isn't great, so I went with an XV Crosstrek by subaru, which is an impreza on stilts with some plastic body cladding. Still, they're rather affordable for the feature set and I like the CVT in mine now that I've gotten used to it. It has some variation while you're accelerating so you have some ability to gauge how fast you're going based on the sound of the engine (something I noticed was missing from other CVT-equipped vehicles I have ridden in).

The cherokee is a bit bigger than the crosstrek and has more usable cargo space, but you said your explorer was too big. The Subaru is a bit smaller and about a thousand pounds lighter than the Cherokee. You do have to put up with the incredibly pretentious subaru lifestyle crap they keep sending you in the mail and by email but the car's pretty alright. I'd at least suggest you look at one and drive it to see if it's an alternative you'd be interested in.



Alright, proceed to hate on me for shitting up your thread.

[Edited on January 31, 2014 at 2:34 PM. Reason : right]

1/31/2014 2:33:56 PM

the Cherokee is a lot smaller than our Explorer, and it can still tow 4500 lbs and with the front passenger seat that folds down, I think I can sleep in it.

but really, my main problem with the Subaru is the quality of the interior

1/31/2014 2:37:32 PM

Those are some mighty fine step rails on that xj jeepin...

1/31/2014 2:53:48 PM

^don't hate the rock sliders!

1/31/2014 3:17:44 PM

Quote :

"I'm pretty sure Teg has driven his GSR up that trail "

Lol, thanks for the vote of confidence. Dunno how well I'd do - the Integra has horrible approach/departure angles

1/31/2014 3:39:03 PM

One of my consultants has a Cherokee Trailhawk and took it to Moab. He said he got it through some easy and moderate trails without any problems, although he had to carefully choose his line on some of the moderate stuff. He let me drive it to lunch and I was pretty impressed. I wish the toe box was bigger, but otherwise there was plenty of room for me. The rear visibility is poor, but no worse than every other crossover SUV with a similar body style. He got 27mpg on the trip but said his average around town with mixed driving is about 20mpg (with the v6).

I was really hoping for better mpg, I know I said I didn't want another full size SUV but with Grand Cherokee getting similar mpg I'm now considering that as well.

4/16/2014 9:00:10 AM

wonder how the turbo 4 would do? or even a diesel....

I'll be honest, this is definitely a subie killer IMO.

4/16/2014 9:06:20 AM

the problem with the I4 is that you can only tow 2,000 lbs and I need to occasionally tow a boat or utility trailer



[Edited on April 16, 2014 at 9:37 AM. Reason : hell, i think my 5 series is rated higher than that]

4/16/2014 9:33:01 AM

That's pretty piss poor for a towing rating. Your BMW probably can, though the manufacturer won't admit as much.

4/16/2014 10:01:20 AM

Miss my "petey" not like I miss floyd tho.





[Edited on April 16, 2014 at 11:29 AM. Reason : .]

4/16/2014 11:27:43 AM

Your Carolina Squat is all wrong.


OP is one ugly vehicle.

4/16/2014 4:05:39 PM

I saw one on the road the other day and thought they brought back the Vehicross

4/17/2014 10:05:56 AM