Last week, we were given a chance to test-drive several cars in the Leith Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM inventory. The second car we drove was the 2014 Jeep Cherokee, a car that represents the rebirth of a nameplate and a new beginning for the Jeep brand. It’s appropriate then that we were once again accompanied by Quincy Steele, one of the rising stars in our storied showroom. Not one to spin his wheels, he grabbed the keys and led us straight out onto the lot.
Clean Design
Quincy’s favorite word to describe the new Cherokee is “clean.” It’s a “really nice, clean car,” he said to us, on more than one occasion. Looking at it, we have to agree. While it may be cut from the same cloth as its forebear, this Jeep is fresh out of a new mold. Gone is the boxy build that was a dime a dozen in high school parking lots. The Cherokee has grown up.
The most striking visual difference is from the front. It wouldn’t be a Jeep without the seven-slotted grille, but the slots themselves are creased, partially folded back over the top of the hood and honeycomb patterned. The headlights are stealthy. Each corner features a reflector strip and slender LED running lights for a bright daytime profile. The main lights are hidden below. With bi-halogen projector headlamps and optional foglights, you’ll be able to navigate the darkest of trails. The front fascia is made even more dynamic with standard chrome grille surrounds and black headlamp bezels.
Aerodynamics might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about a Jeep, but it was certainly one of the first on the minds of the new Cherokee’s engineers. You can tell by the way the body curves and how the lines run along with the airflow. An integrated spoiler on the back end seals the deal. From the rear, you can also admire new LED taillights and optional dual exhaust tips.
Opening up the trunk, you get an idea of how versatile the Cherokee’s storage space is. The trunk is already large even without folding down the second row seats. You can also make the most of the space thanks to the Jeep Cargo Management System. There are several handy hooks built into the wall, as well as a removable grocery bag holder. You can further augment the space with any number of available Mopar accessories, such as a storage locker, first aid and emergency kit, a roadside assistance kit, and more. Lifting up the floor panel, you’ll see a compartment for a spare tire. Quincy explained that the Cherokee doesn’t come with a spare in order to keep the vehicle’s weight down. You can purchase one if you want, or you can use the space it leaves for additional storage. For those options, you should be sure to visit the Accessories page and the Tires page on our website.
Clean Power
We were so eager to get on the road that we didn’t even look under the hood, but we still talked about the engine plenty. The Cherokee comes standard with the 2.4-liter Tigershark I4 engine, a marvel of energy efficiency thanks to dual variable valve timing and a nine-speed automatic transmission. Combine this performance with the aerodynamic body styling and you’re stepping into one seriously efficient Jeep. It’s yet another way this Cherokee is exceedingly clean.
Of course, if you’re looking for something more heavy duty, you have the option of the 3.2-liter Pentastar V6, which is rated for 271 horsepower – an improvement of almost thirty percent over the prior V6 – and 239 pound-feet of torque. Put together, that earns the Cherokee a best-in-class towing capacity of as much as 4500 pounds when properly equipped.
Clean Presence
When we actually got on the road we were surprised by how comfortable the driving experience was. If you’ve ever driven an older Cherokee, you know they tend to bounce down the road, shaking side to side as they’re jostled by the jet stream. Not so with the modern model. The new front and rear independent suspensions rid the Cherokee of those old shakes and help it keep an even keel as you’re driving down the highway.
Additionally, all models have new frequency-sensitive damping shocks that adjust to input from the road, effortlessly absorbing potholes. The roads in Wendell aren’t too bad in terms of bumps and bruises, but we doubt we would have noticed if they were. We also appreciated the speed-sensitive electronic steering, which tightens up on the highway so that you don’t have to put any effort into staying in your lane.
Driving a Cherokee with the four-cylinder engine, we had no trouble integrating into traffic. As we said, it’s a very lightweight vehicle, so the Tigershark has more than enough power to get you up to speed and keep you there.
We touched on storage before, but there’s even more to be had, all in reach from the driver’s seat. There’s a large compartment within the center armrest, a convenient box in the middle of the dashboard for sunglasses or a phone, and there’s even an available compartment that you can access by flipping up the front passenger seat.
Our Cherokee featured the Uconnect 5.0 Integrated System, an easy-to-use five-inch touchscreen infotainment display. It boasts capabilities for USB/Auxiliary/SD/iPod media integration, Bluetooth for hands-free voice calling and audio streaming, and also speed-adjusted volume control. The five-inch screen is remarkably capable and will do just about everything you need a modern info display to do, but if you want something bigger and flashier, you can always upgrade to the Uconnect 8.4N or AN systems. These feature a larger screen and pack in a navigation system and available in-vehicle WiFi.
Cleanup
In summary, we have to say that the 2014 Jeep Cherokee is a successful revival. As our friend Quincy puts it, it has a clean design, clean performance, and a clean presence on the road. You can make use of ample storage space to transport a lot of cargo, and with the V6 engine, you can tow what won’t fit inside or on top of your Cherokee. It’s also just an overall pleasant driving experience. As energy efficient as it is, this is a great car for a road trip, no matter how rough the roads might be.
We want to thank our sales representative, Quincy Steele, again for all his hard work and the enthusiasm he brought to our test-drive experience. If you want to test-drive the 2014 Jeep Cherokee for yourself, we urge you to visit us at Leith Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM in Wendell. We can’t wait to meet you.
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