The 2014 Jeep Cherokee Overview

When Jeep replaced the Cherokee XJ with the Liberty KJ (Jeep named the Liberty KJ the Cherokee KJ outside North America), loyal Jeep fans were saddened. The Liberty nameplate lasted until 2012, when it was discontinued. It was announced that Jeep would replace the Liberty KK/Cherokee KK with a whole new vehicle.

In the spring of 2013, Jeep reintroduced the Cherokee nameplate to the North American market, when it was last seen in 2001. The Cherokee KL is based on a proven Fiat platform, shared with the Alfa-Romeo Guiletta and Dodge Dart, which is a great platform to build off of. The all-new Cherokee will be new for the 2014 model year (MY), and will go on-sale in the fall of 2013.

The Cherokee features a similar design in the rear to that of its Grand Cherokee WK2 sibling, though the front end features a whole new design, with an angled front seven-slot grille that harkens back to the 1987-1995 Jeep Wrangler YJ. You can choose from seventeen-inch or eighteen-inch styled steel, alloy, or chrome-clad wheels, and all include a spare tire and spare wheel. A full-panel sliding sunroof is available on all models except the Sport.Daytime Running Lamps (DRL's) are also standard, as are Light-Emitting Diode (LED) front head and rear tail lamps.

Inside, the Cherokee features an all-new interior that it similar to that of it of the Grand Cherokee WK2, with technological innovations such as three new U Connect radios. All radios include an A/M-F/M radio, provisions for a single-disc remote CD player (a CD player is not included on any of Cherokee's available radios, and is sold separately as a $200.00 option), U Connect Hands-Free Bluetooth Telephone and A2DP Bluetooth Stereo Audio Streaming, a full color touch-screen display, iPod and USB integration, a 3.5-millimeter auxiliary audio input jack, A/V input jacks, SIRIUS-XM Satellite Radio with a one-year trial subscription from Jeep, Radio Data System (RDS), and steering wheel-mounted remote audio system and telephone controls. The U Connect 5.0BT includes these features. An available U Connect ACCESS 8.4A adds the U Connect ACCESS System with 911 Assist with a six-month trial subscription from Jeep, and capabilities for an add-on Garmin GPS navigational system. The U Connect ACCESS 8.4AN adds HD Radio, U Connect APPS, and an additional one-year subscription to U Connect ACCESS with 911 Assist from Chrysler, plus a built-in Garmin GPS navigational system. A six-speaker sound system is standard, while a nine-speaker, 506-watt, 7.1-channel, Dolby DTS II-certified premium surround-sound system with amplifier, center-channel speaker, and rear-mounted subwoofer, with equalizer settings, is available on all models except the Sport. A full Thin-Film Transistor (TFT) instrument cluster display is standard on all models, as is the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Choose from either premium cloth or luxury leather seating surfaces, depending on the model chosen. The front passenger's seat cushion flips up, as on the Dodge Dart, for extra hidden storage space. Keyless entry with security alarm is standard, though Keyless Go with a hands-free remote control system and remote starter is available with a push-button starter.

A 2.4L "World" I4 engine producing 170 horsepower is standard on all Cherokee models except Limited, and is shared with a lot of Chrysler Corporation vehicles. An all-new 3.2L "Pentastar" Variable Valve Timing (VVT) V6 engine with E85 FlexFuel capabilities and 260 horsepower is available on all models except Sport, and is standard on Limited. The engine is based on the larger 3.6L power train in the Grand Cherokee WK2 and many other Chrysler Corporation products. Front-wheel-drive (FWD/4X2) or Four-wheel-drive (4WD/4X4) is available on all models, and all models feature a class-exclusive nine-speed automatic transmission with Off-Road Crawl Ratio and the SelecTerrain System (the latter feature only on 4WD/4X4 models).

In terms of safety, the Cherokee includes many airbags in the front and on the sides, as well as in the front seats, 911 Assist feature for U Connect ACCESS, antilock braking system (ABS), traction and stability controls, and other important safety features.

The Cherokee is built at the Belvedere Assembly Plant in Belvedere, Illinois, alongside the Dodge Dart and Jeep Compass/Patriot. Pricing starts at $22,995.00 MSRP for a 2014 Jeep Cherokee Sport 2.4L 4X2, and tops out at $29,495.00 MSRP for a 2014 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk 3.2L 4X4. Loaded 2014 Jeep Cherokees can go for about the mid $30s MSRP.

-Vincent D., Vincent's Auto Reviews