Jeep Cherokee (KL)
- See also Jeep Cherokee for other models using this name
| Jeep Cherokee | |
|---|---|
 2014 4x4 Jeep Cherokee North Edition (Canada) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer |
|
| Production | June 2013 – present |
| Model years | 2014 – present |
| Assembly | United States: Toledo, Ohio (Toledo Complex) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Mid-size crossover SUV |
| Body style | 5-door wagon |
| Layout | Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive |
| Platform | Compact U.S. Wide[1] |
| Related | Dodge Dart (2013) Alfa Romeo Giulietta (2010)[1] Chrysler 200 (2015) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.0 "940 A 8000" Multijet I4 (diesel - Europe only)[2] 2.4 L Tigershark I4 (gasoline)[3] 3.2 L Pentastar V6 (gasoline)[3] |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual 9-speed 948TE automatic[3] |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 106 in (2,692 mm) |
| Length | 182 in (4,623 mm) |
| Width | 73.2 in (1,859 mm) (Sport, Latitude, and Limited models) or 74.9 in (1,902 mm) (Trailhawk model only) |
| Height | 66.2–67.8 in (1,681–1,722 mm) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Jeep Liberty (KK) |
The Jeep Cherokee (KL) is a mid-size[4] crossover SUV from the Jeep division of Chrysler Group LLC. It was introduced for the 2014 model year at the 2013 New York International Auto Show and the sales started in November 2013.[1][4][4] The Cherokee is the first Jeep vehicle to be built on the Compact U.S. Wide platform, co-developed by Chrysler and FIAT.[3] It features a unibody chassis much like its predecessor, Jeep Liberty (KK), but instead utilizes a transversely mounted engine instead of a longitudinal mounted one. The Jeep Cherokee is built at Toledo North Assembly Plant in Toledo, Ohio.[5]
The Cherokee was first previewed by Jeep in February 2013, shortly after the brand released three newly designed versions of its popular vehicles, the Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot, and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Jeep announced that the all-new vehicle would be dubbed the Cherokee, and also that the new vehicle would make its official debut at the New York International Auto Show in March 2013. The Cherokee's official debut was made on Wednesday, March 27, 2013. As of February 2014, the 2014 Cherokee was the top-ranked Affordable Compact SUV in U.S. News and World Report's rankings.[6]
The Cherokee has a highway fuel economy rating of 31 miles per U.S. gallon (7.6 L/100 km; 37 mpg‑imp);[3] and a 45% better fuel economy rating than the Liberty/Cherokee it replaces.[4][5]
Jeep has also adopted the Cherokee name worldwide. The North American market will see the Cherokee nameplate for the first time since the 2001 departure of the XJ Jeep Cherokee. Other markets retained the Cherokee name with the introduction of the Jeep Liberty in the North American markets.
The all-new Cherokee's wheelbase is 106 inches (2,692 mm), 1.1 inches (28 mm) longer than the original 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ, and 5.1 inches (130 mm) longer than its predecessor, the original Jeep Cherokee XJ.
Four-wheel drive systems
The Jeeps Cherokee can be equipped with three different four-wheel drive systems: Active Drive I, Active Drive II, and Active Drive Lock. All of these systems come with Jeep's Selec-Terrain traction control system and rear-axle disconnect feature. The rear axle disconnect feature, a first for Compact SUV, disconnects the rear-axle when four-wheel drive is not needed. This lowers parasitic drivetrain load; which improves fuel efficiency.[3]
Basic information about the models
Upon introduction the Cherokee is available in four models:
The Sport serves as the base model. It includes seventeen-inch steel wheels, the Uconnect 5.0 touch screen radio, six speakers, cloth seating surfaces, a 2.4L Tigershark I4 engine, nine-speed ZF automatic transmission, and more. It comes in both 4x2 and 4x4.
The Latitude adds alloy wheels and body-colored door handles and side view mirrors. It comes in both 4x2 and 4x4. In Canada, the model is dubbed North 4x2 or North 4x4.
The Trailhawk adds dark-colored alloy wheels, the Uconnect 8.4A touch screen radio with 9-1-1 emergency assistance, roadside assistance, and support for apps. It also includes an Alpine premium audio system. It comes in only a 4x4 and is a far more off-road capable model.
The Limited serves as the top-of-the-line model, and adds bright-finished alloy wheels, and leather seating surfaces. It comes in both 4x2 and 4x4.
Pricing and availability
In June, 2013, Jeep announced the pricing on the all-new Cherokee. The base Sport FWD model will start at $22,995 MSRP. The Latitude FWD model will start at $24,495 MSRP. The Trailhawk 4x4 model will start at $29,495, and the top-of-the-line Limited FWD model will start at $27,995 MSRP.
While the all-new Cherokee was slated to begin production in the spring of 2013 and to start arriving at Jeep dealerships in mid summer 2013, Jeep has pushed back the release date of its all-new Cherokee to allow time for the development of Jeep's new nine-speed automatic transmission by ZF. The all-new Cherokee will now start production in late summer 2013, and will start to arrive at Jeep dealerships in mid fall 2013.
In late summer 2013, Jeep announced that it would temporarily cease production of its all-new Cherokee due to a transmission software issue. A few thousand Cherokees had already been produced, and would remain at the factory until a software fix could be issued. As of October, 2013, Jeep has issued a software fix to the Cherokee, resuming production of its all-new vehicle, and test-shipped it to Jeep dealerships in the United States. By November the sales have started well in both the US and Canada, with at least four weeks of stock depletion due to pre-order. Chrysler has stated on 11 December 2013 the Cherokee advertisement campaign with the tagline Built Free to be the most successful one since the introduction of the 2011 Dodge Charger.
The Cherokee will be introduced in Europe in the spring of 2014. To meet the demands of European buyers the model will be fitted with one or more diesel powertrains, most likely one or more versions of the FIAT Multijet engine with a displacement of 2,0L and 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp).
Powertrain information
The Cherokee features Chrysler's 2.4L Tigershark I4 engine, which will achieve 31 MPG and a driving range of 495 miles (797 km). The engine will produce 187 PS (138 kW; 184 hp) and 232 N⋅m (171 lbf⋅ft) of torque.
Optional for the Cherokee is Chrysler's new 3.2L Pentastar V6 engine, which features FlexFuel capabilities to be able to run on ethanol. It achieves 29 MPG and produces 275 PS (202 kW; 271 hp) and 324 N⋅m (239 lbf⋅ft) of torque. The Cherokee is Chrysler's first product to feature the all-new engine.
All Cherokees feature Chrysler's new nine-speed automatic transmission, designed by ZF and manufactured by Chrysler.[7] Not only is the Cherokee the first Chrysler vehicle to feature a nine-speed transmission, it is the first sport utility vehicle to feature a nine-speed transmission. The transmission yields approximately two additional miles per gallon with the V6 engine option compared to a six speed automatic.[7]
Front-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive models are available, with Jeep's Selec-Terrain system being available on the latter. These are named differently depending on the markets, with the FWD being slightly less expensive.
Safety
| Test | Points | % |
|---|---|---|
| Overall: | 
| |
| Adult occupant: | 33 | 93% |
| Child occupant: | 39 | 79% |
| Pedestrian: | 24 | 67% |
| Safety assist: | 7 | 74% |
Notes
- ^ a b c "Chrysler lets 2014 Jeep Cherokee details fly ahead of New York auto show debut". Daily News (New York). Retrieved February 27, 2013.
- ^ http://www.jeep.es/cherokee/cherokee_2014/index.html
- ^ a b c d e f Harley, Michael (27 March 2013). "2014 Jeep Cherokee flaunts its new contemporary curves". autoblog.com. Autoblog.com. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
- ^ a b c d "The All-New 2014 Jeep Cherokee". Jeep. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
- ^ a b "Jeep Revives Cherokee For 2014 With Polarizing New Design". Forbes. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
- ^ http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/Affordable-Compact-SUVs/
- ^ a b "2014 Jeep Cherokee SUV: modern midsize SUV". Allpar.com. Retrieved 2013-10-24.
- ^ "Jeep Cherokee" (PDF). euroncap.com. Retrieved 2013-10-24.