Jeep Cherokee 2014

The all-new 2014 Jeep Cherokee has an upscale interior, terrific off-road capability, comfortable daily driver handling, and comes with a standard four-cylinder engine that gives the compact SUV adequate acceleration. You can always opt for the V6 upgrade if you’re in the market for faster acceleration and more power.

9 Speed Transmission Breakthrough

The big news for the Jeep Cherokee 2014 might be the first-in-class nine speed automatic transmission that’s standard on all models. It moves from gear to gear smoothly, and answers quickly to most driving situations. The Cherokee has a choice of three different four-wheel-drive setups. The Jeep Cherokee is based on a Fiat platform and feels and looks much wider and lower to the ground than the old Jeep Liberty it replaces. This lower and wider wheelbase makes the Cherokee drive more like a car and less like a truck, with crisp steering and excellent control when cornering, with little body lean.

Roomy And Economical

The base Cherokee has fuel economy estimates of 22/31 MPG for city and highway, respectively, which isn’t bad, but isn’t best in class. The Jeep Cherokee 2014 has a redesigned cabin with luxury appointments and comfortable seats, all outfitted with premium materials. Passengers are especially grateful for the extra legroom in the backseat of this version of the Cherokee. This legroom might have come at the expense of cargo space in the back, but most reviewers describe it as adequate. The rear seat can be pushed forward to make more room for storage if so desired.

Specifications:

• Vehicle type: five passenger, five door compact front engine SUV
• Drivetrain: front- or 4-wheel-drive
• Transmission: 9-speed automatic with manual shifting mode
• Engine: 2.4-liter inline 4 cylinder with fuel injection, with optional 6-cylinder
• Displacement: 144 cu in, 2360 cc
• Power: 184 hp
• Dimensions: Wheelbase: 106.3" Length: 182.0" Width: 74.9"
• Curb weight: 3600-4200 lbs
• Performance: Zero to 60 mph: 9.5 seconds, Standing ¼-mile: 17 seconds
• Top speed: 120 mph
• Fuel Economy: EPA city/highway driving: 22/31 mpg

Standard Features And Options

The Cherokee 2014 is equipped with a six speaker stereo, a touch screen dash display, Bluetooth, and a USB port. Some popular options are:

• Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
• 8.5 inch touchscreen display
• Wireless inductive charging pad for smartphones
• In dash navigation
• Rearview camera
• Cruise control
• Lane-departure warning signal
• Forward collision alert
• Parking assist system

Summary: More Car Than SUV

The Jeep Cherokee 2014 is as off-road ready as any Jeep, but its new design is geared to the great majority of buyers who need their transportation to be a comfortable car most of the time and an off-road vehicle only every once in a great while. If you’ve owned Jeeps in the past, you’ll immediately notice the difference that front wheel drive makes to the design. The car is lower, wider, and handles better.

The modestly powered four-cylinder base model is plenty sporty as an everyday driver, and the fuel economy is good. The nine-speed transmission quickly finds the appropriate gear without a lot of searching, and it’s capable of skipping gears to find the right ratio in a hurry if you find yourself bearing down on either the throttle or the brakes suddenly.