The Jeep brand was built upon the premise that its vehicles, when properly equipped, will take its owners to any corner of the Earth. At first glance, the 2014 Jeep Cherokee looks like it is able to continue in that tradition.
But people who need a vehicle only to tackle the urban jungle aren’t forgotten. With a starting price of $23,495 for a two-wheel-drive base model, it can be an economical and practical vehicle for those who need only the added ground clearance when the weather deteriorates.
The mid-sized Cherokee sets itself apart from any of the competition by the sheer number of models offered. Apart from the base vehicle, which is called the Sport, the Cherokee comes in North, Limited and Trailhawk trim levels. Apart from the Trailhawk, the other models can be equipped with front- or four-wheel drive.
I drove a North 4x2 with the V-6, a cold-weather package and an upgraded UConnect connectivity system.
Two engines are offered — a 2.4-litre four-cylinder and a 3.2-litre Pentastar V-6. The larger engine is rated at 271 horseppower and 239 lb.-ft. of torque. It will be the obvious choice for people who want to tow, as it can pull a maximum of 2,041 kg (4,500 pounds) when equipped with the optional trailer tow group. Chrysler boasts it can out-tow every vehicle in its category, a group that includes the Ford Escape and the Honda CR-V.
Regardless of engine, the Cherokee comes standard with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This is a state-of the art transmission with buttery-smooth shifts thanks to the sheer number of gears available (most competitors have five or six gears).
Depending on engine load, the transmission is “smart” enough to actually skip a gear altogether. It may be a few years before other manufacturers catch up. The impressive transmission may be a selling point for people unimpressed with the performance of some of the continuously variable transmissions on the market.
Instead of a low gear on the gear selector, drivers can hold a low gear (when descending an incline, for example) by choosing a gear manually.
Apart from the powertrain, the most noticeable improvement is the ride. The Cherokee is built on a Fiat modular platform that gives it a more car-like drive and feel. This new-found platform puts it on par with the best of the pack.
A trip down a twisty country road is a real eye-opener.
Remember the test vehicle is just a front-wheel-drive. Cherokee buyers can request 4x4 in all four models. The most rugged is the Trailhawk, the only one of the bench with Jeep’s “Trail Rated” badge.
The 4x4 models come with lockable rear end, low gear and hill-descent buttons. Much like its bigger brother, the Grand Cherokee, drivers can select their drive modes to reflect the terrain encountered — snow, sport, sand/mud and rock.
The interior has also received a substantial upgrade. On my tester, the seat and steering-wheel heater switched on automatically because the car sensed the near-freezing temperatures outside.
The dash, doors and seats all had attractive contrasting stitching. The two-tone seats were comfy as well as supportive. Packrats will appreciate the multitude of cupholders, consoles and cubbyholes.
The coup de grace is a passenger seat-bottom that flips up to reveal a hidden compartment underneath. The glovebox is large enough to hold a tablet computer.
There are the prerequisite power and connectivity connections for the electronic set. Our tester had the larger 8.4-inch touch-screen multi-function screen for controlling climate, entertainment and other functions. The larger real estate means easier identification of the functions. The best part of the touchscreen is its ability receive commands from a gloved hand on a cold day.
Rear passengers get a rear vent and a power outlet. The back seats fold 60/40 and, when folded, the floor is flat. A full-size spare tire is available.
While the 2014 Cherokee can be as rugged as the Jeep name implies, the truth is that the majority of SUV owners never leave paved roads. Jeep is on the right track by offering Cherokees from mild to wild. Its low starting price appeals to new buyers attracted to the brand, while the rugged examples satisfy the Jeep purists looking for a compact version of the Grand Cherokee.