2014 Jeep Cherokee: A Capable and Comfortable SUV
The 2014 Jeep Cherokee marked a significant return for the iconic nameplate, arriving with a bold, polarizing exterior design and a decidedly more car-like interior and driving experience than its predecessors. It aimed to blend Jeep's renowned off-road prowess with everyday usability and comfort, a strategy that largely succeeded for many buyers.
Highlights
- Powertrain Options:
- 2.4L Tigershark MultiAir I4: The standard engine, delivering adequate power for daily commuting and city driving. It focuses on fuel efficiency.
- 3.2L Pentastar V6: An optional upgrade, this engine provides significantly more power and torque, making it a better choice for those who frequently carry passengers or haul cargo, and for those seeking a more spirited driving experience. It also enhances the Cherokee's towing capability.
- Safety Features:
- Advanced Multistage Front Airbags: Deploy based on the severity of the impact, providing optimized protection.
- Supplemental Side-Curtain Front and Rear Airbags: Extend coverage to protect occupants' heads in side-impact collisions.
- Driver Knee Airbag: Provides an additional layer of protection for the driver's legs.
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC): Helps prevent loss of control by automatically applying brakes and reducing engine power when it detects a potential skid.
- Traction Control: Assists in maintaining grip on slippery surfaces by reducing wheelspin.
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS): Prevents wheel lock-up during hard braking, allowing the driver to maintain steering control.
- ParkView Rear Back-Up Camera: Displays a wide-angle view of the area behind the vehicle when in reverse, aiding in parking and avoiding obstacles.
- Blind-Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross-Path Detection: Available systems that alert the driver to vehicles in their blind spots or approaching from the sides when backing up.
- Trim Level Summary:
- Sport: The entry-level trim, offering essential features and a solid foundation for the Cherokee experience.
- Latitude: Adds more comfort and convenience features, often including upgraded interior materials and a more refined exterior appearance.
- Limited: Represents a step up in luxury and technology, typically featuring leather-trimmed seats, a larger touchscreen, and more advanced driver aids.
- Trailhawk: The off-road focused trim, equipped with Jeep's Active Drive Lock 4x4 system (including a locking rear differential), increased ground clearance, skid plates, and all-terrain tires. This is the trim for serious adventurers.
- Other Notable Aspects:
- Jeep Active Drive I & II 4x4 Systems: These sophisticated all-wheel-drive systems offered varying degrees of capability, with Active Drive II on the Trailhawk providing enhanced off-road performance.
- Selec-Terrain Traction Control: Allows the driver to select different terrain modes (Auto, Snow, Sport, and Sand/Mud) to optimize traction and performance for various conditions.
- Uconnect Infotainment System: A user-friendly system with a touchscreen interface, offering connectivity features like Bluetooth, and available navigation and premium audio.
- Comfortable and Refined Interior: The cabin was a departure from traditional Jeep ruggedness, offering a more comfortable and quieter ride, making it suitable for longer journeys.
What to Expect
The 2014 Jeep Cherokee generally offers a comfortable and capable ownership experience. Drivers can expect a smooth ride on pavement, making it a pleasant daily driver for commuting and family duties. The available V6 engine provides ample power for highway merging and passing.
Maintenance: Routine maintenance, such as oil changes, tire rotations, and fluid checks, will be standard for this vehicle. Following the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule is crucial for ensuring longevity and optimal performance. While generally reliable, some owners have reported issues with the transmission on early models. It's advisable to have any pre-owned Cherokee thoroughly inspected by a mechanic familiar with Jeep vehicles.
Insurance: Insurance costs will vary depending on your location, driving record, chosen coverage levels, and the specific trim level of the Cherokee. Generally, SUVs of this class tend to have moderate insurance premiums.
Potential Considerations
- Polarizing Exterior Styling: The distinctive front-end design, with its split headlights, was a departure from traditional Jeep aesthetics and proved to be a polarizing element for some buyers.
- Transmission Performance (Early Models): Some early models of the 2014 Cherokee, particularly those with the 9-speed automatic transmission, experienced reports of hesitant or rough shifting. Later model year fixes or software updates may have addressed some of these concerns.
- Off-Road Capability (Non-Trailhawk): While the 4x4 systems in the Latitude and Limited trims offer decent all-weather traction, they are not as robust as the Active Drive Lock system found in the Trailhawk. For serious off-roading, the Trailhawk is the clear choice.
- Fuel Economy: While the 4-cylinder engine offers decent fuel economy for its class, the V6 engine can be a bit thirstier, especially in city driving.
Overall Summary
The 2014 Jeep Cherokee presented a compelling package for those seeking a versatile SUV with a blend of on-road comfort and Jeep's signature capability. It successfully bridged the gap between a traditional Jeep and a more mainstream crossover. While its unique styling might not appeal to everyone, and early transmission quirks were a concern for some, the Cherokee offered a comfortable ride, a well-appointed interior, and impressive off-road potential (especially in the Trailhawk trim). For buyers prioritizing a capable and comfortable SUV that can handle daily commutes as well as weekend adventures, the 2014 Cherokee remains a noteworthy option.