2014 Jeep Cherokee: Review, spec and price

2014 Jeep Cherokee: Review, spec and price

The Jeep Cherokee enjoyed a nearly 30-year run from 1974 to 2001 as a compact SUV with a lot of space and a lot of off-road capability. Very simple in design and execution, the Cherokee was essentially a box on wheels, but to this day it includes a devoted following. Soon after letting the Cherokee's replacement, the Liberty, grow lengthy within the tooth, Jeep has gone back towards the Cherokee name for the Liberty's replacement. Those fond of the final Cherokee will not recognize this a single. It really is far more comfortable and luxurious than its forebear, but still possesses Jeep's signature off-road prowess. 

The 2014 Jeep Cherokee delivers a choice of V6 or 4-cylinder energy. The base engine is really a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder that produces 184 horsepower and 171 lb-ft of torque. It characteristics FIAT-sourced MultiAir technologies, which can be an electro-hydraulic indicates of controlling the intake valves to improve both power and fuel economy. Optional for all versions is really a new three.2-liter V6 engine determined by Chrysler's three.6-liter V6. It tends to make 271 horsepower and 239 lb-ft of torque. Each engines are mated to a brand new 9-speed automatic transmission with manual shift capability. 

Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy ratings for the 2.4-liter are 22 mpg city/31 mpg highway with front-wheel drive and 21/28 mpg with 4WD. The V6 is rated at 19/28 mpg with front drive and 19/27 mpg with 4WD.

The Cherokee is presented with 3 4-wheel-drive systems. The base system is called Active Drive I. It can be basically an all-wheel-drive arrangement that could send as substantially as 100 percent with the energy towards the rear wheels when the front wheels slip. Active Drive II adds low-range gearing for higher off-road capability. Active Drive Lock, that is normal around the Trailhawk, furthers the off-road prowess using a locking rear differential. All 4WD Cherokees include a Selec-Terrain program with settings for Automatic, Sport, Snow and Sand/Mud. Active Drive Lock adds a Rock setting that is only out there when low-range gearing is engaged. 

A Technology Package, accessible on all trim levels, consists of adaptive cruise manage, forward-collision mitigation and braking, lane maintaining, and blind-spot assistance. We had a chance to try the LaneSense feature around the highway close to our test track. At speeds above 37 mph, it uses the electrically assisted power steering to pull the auto back into the lane, if an inattentive driver enables the car to drift. The system’s camera, mounted above the rearview mirror, needs to be capable of monitor lane lines on each sides from the SUV. When it registers each guide lines, an indicator pops up on the instrument cluster to indicate the program is active. Point the SUV at an angle to 1 with the lane lines and take your hands off the wheel, and the road on the opposite side of your car or truck lights up in yellow as the steering wheel turns on its personal to bring you back in line. In 3 or 4 seconds, a warning chime sounds and an alert around the dashboard tells you to place your hands back around the wheel.

Interiors are a mixed bag. The cabin within the base model looked a bit inexpensive, using a little low-res radio screen and acres of semigloss black plastic on the console. But all versions get a good soft-touch dashboard and soft components on the door panels and arm rests. The bigger, Uconnect screen and leather inside the higher-end models had been nice. Covering a broad cost spectrum, the Cherokee encounter is correspondingly diverse.

Base Cherokees start out competitively at just under $24,000; a loaded Trailhawk can attain the high $30s.