2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited 4×4

Unprecedented Jeep performance off the road.

Ask anyone with a half decent education in off-road vehicles what a Jeep Cherokee is.  Chances are, you’ll hear great things about its torn up trail pounding capabilities.  But it’s important to realize that the Jeep Cherokee Limited is not just a conventional SUV that can take a beating.  Over years of  historical accolade, the Cherokee name is a brand statement portraying the ultimate off-road machine in the upper class scale.

A quick glimpse at the Jeep Cherokee marketing material can deceive the moderate shoppers that it is the car you should buy.  But dig a little deeper into the Jeep lineup reveals the alternate Jeep Patriot, and Compass that are both more comfortable to your budget while packing the every-day essentials of a cross-over SUV.  On that note, let’s dive down into the details on what the upper class Jeep Cherokee has to offer.

Under the Hood

Starting at the torque factory, the Jeep Cherokee Limited 4×4 model can be configured with two different engine configurations: a 2.4 liter 4 cylinder Tigershark MultiAir producing 184 horsepower and 171 ft.lbs of torque, or the more powerful 3.2 liter Pentastar VVT V6 engine rated at 271 horsepower and 239 ft-lbs of torque. Both options are equipped with a 9 speed automatic transmission with available option to upgrade to the Jeep Active Drive II system.

Crunch down the number while factoring in the curb weight of 4,044 lbs, it almost sounds silly to try to pull this car with a 4 cylinder engine with equal horsepower of a mid-size sedan. As realistic as it sounds, we can’t validate our statement as our tested model came equipped with the 3.2 liter engine.

The Drive

Even with the upgraded 3.2L V6 engine configuration, the Jeep Cherokee struggles with acceleration  and responsiveness I was hoping for.  Perhaps, my expectations have been spoiled by the Jeep Grand Cherokee Eco-Diesel or accustomed to the performance features of modern cross-over SUV’s such as the Mazda CX9.  But nevertheless, the Jeep Cherokee has always been geared more towards tackling slow speed obstacles.

In addition to engine configuration, the Jeep Cherokee offers three configurations for drive train selection: Active Drive I, Active Drive II and and 4×4.   Active Drive I acts as an on-demand AWD system with the ability to disengage the drive shaft while coasting to reduce frictional drag while the Active Drive II adds an additional feature to provide low-gear mode for increased torque in low-speed off roading conditions.  Finally, the standard 4×4 configuration is best selected for towing capabilities.

Terming the Active Drive I as an “on-demand” system is a bit loosely held with our configured test model. Cruise along city streets and highways works wonders until you need to accelerate.  Unfortunately, the AWD drive train takes time to dis-engage and engage; therefore, torque acceleration kicks in as a step response.  The result is non-linear acceleration leaving you in frustrating situations where you’re either going too fast or too sow.

Cabin and Digital Department

Interior cabin appoints upper end quality of what Dodge/Chrylser has to offer.  Our tested model came equipped with ventilated power leather seats and felt both comfortable and durable.  Interior panel and center console control materials used throughout are also well mannered.  Engraved into the upper center console is the Uconnect 8.4″ infotainment screen.  There is much to appreciate about the responsiveness and massive buttons that contribute to a good user experience.  Unfortunately, the navigation lacked the intelligence to search for a street address without having to provide the postal code.

Aside from the navigation pet peeve, I was happy to enjoy the plethora of smartphone connectivity with either USB, auxiliary audio, or bluetoothe.

For the tech-inclined buyers, the Jeep Cherokee also offers a subscription based on-board telematics service featuring voice-to-text, online destination search, remote door lock/unlock and stolen vehicle recovery.  The UConnect Access can also act as a Wi-Fi hot spot for multiple devices to connect to for an additional subscription fee.

Final Thoughts

Let’s step back and think for a second.  A sports car will entice the bio-mechanical thrill junkies while a family sized sedan or cross-over SUV will cushion the needs of those that seek convenience and practicality.  But where does the Jeep Cherokee stand in?  Without a doubt, its off-road talent is unparalleled to any so-called cross-over SUV out there and the exterior styling is one of the sharpest looking vehicles in its class.  But the critical question is how often do you hit the dirt road.  Not forgetting to mention, the Jeep Cherokee fuel consumption EPA ratings are 21/27 on city and highway driving respectively, which falls in the back end of the pack.

If you are that outdoor/no-man’s land adventurer with a healthy savings account, the this Jeep Cherokee 4×4 is an attractive choice.  But for the work warriors with less of an interest to partake in the weekly mud-washing chore, there are a plethora of other choices at the same price that offer a more forgiving and comfortable ride with the same convenience factor.   Our tested Jeep Cherokee 4×4 model is priced at $43,070.