![]() We found the 3.2L V6 to be a good engine that is certainly assisted by the nine speed automatic transmission backing it. Subtracting all of the stuff we just mentioned and you have a Dodge dart with more ground clearance and a less pleasing face. All of those things are part of the Trailhawk package. There’s a multi-speed transfer case with a stout low range, there is an electronic locker in the rear axle, there is multiple modes to shift the Cherokee into that’ll taylor it to your particular conditions, there’s hill descent control, there’s an additional inch of ground clearance, and there is a good set of aggressive Firestone all terrain tires on the corners. Despite those two scary things, we can report that the Cherokee feels substantial and “truck-like” behind the wheel. This explains the handling prowess and great road feel of the thing, it also explains why the engine is mounted in a transverse (BLECK) layout under the hood. It corners flat, it is responsive, the nine speed transmission never hunts for the right gear and the 3.2L V6 provides enough power to scoot the thing down the road, but there are some dark secrets hiding in plain sight. This Cherokee is based on a Dodge Dart. ![]() The interior is fantastic with great seats and a driving experience that is shockingly good for an SUV. It never really lets on with how small it is, somehow tricking your eye into thinking that it is longer and bigger than it really is. If you scan the 2014 Jeep Cherokee starting from the front wheel back, you will see an awesomely proportioned vehicle with bulges and curves in the right places. While we can say that the 2014 Jeep Cherokee gets high marks for both being sure footed and capable, we can’t get too far past what we consider a freakish nose on the vehicle.ĭriving the 2014 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk for about a week in multiple terrain scenarios gave us a clear picture of the driving characteristics that Jeep engineers were shooting for and the refinement that they were trying to build into the vehicle but we never got used to looking at it head-on. We also expected some sort of nod to the styling (or lack there of) of the original Cherokee. When we learned that Jeep would be bringing the Cherokee nameplate back to their model line we were optimistic that they would deliver an SUV that was sure footed, capable, and as basic as the times allow new cars to be. Off road enthusiasts still love the XJ Cherokee platform and there is ample aftermarket support for that machine. In a stroke of what we will smart-assedly call “genius”, Chrysler killed off the Cherokee after 2001 and released the Jeep Liberty, which was absolutely nothing like a Cherokee in looks or performance and appealed far more to people looking for a car-like SUV than something boxy and truck-like. From 1984-2001 the Jeep Cherokee was a tough, indestructible, and basic SUV.
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