The iconic Jeep Cherokee moniker finally returns from its retirement in 2001.An all-new model, the 2014 Jeep Cherokee is not only entering a significantly more competitive crossover market, it must also shoulder the burden of its heritage as well as its position as a volume selling entry-priced people carrier.The new Cherokee was initially developed as a Fiat, the Italian automaker that now owns Chrysler. Based on the same structure utilized in the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and Dodge Dart, the new all-wheel-drive Cherokee promises improved fuel efficiency and car-like handling.The response at the New York Auto Show unveiling was rather divided as many journalists found it difficult to accept the radical stylistic departure from previous Jeep SUVs."I like that it's not a box. It's a bit of a surprise coming from our brand," says head of Jeep design Mark Allen.Jeep execs are confident that the the unique styling will be enough for hip first adopters to choose a Jeep Cherokee over the more boring and mundane shapes from the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Ford Escape.Underneath, the new 2014 Jeep Cherokee will now feature an impressive 9-speed automatic transmission, a first for the crossover segment. The 2014 Jeep Cherokee is available with two powerplants: a 2.4 liter MultiAir2 Tigershark inline-4 engine producing 184 hp and 171 lb.-ft. of torque and a 3.2 liter Pentastar V6 engine with 271 hp and 239 lb.-ft. of torque.According to Jeep, the new MultiAir2 Tigershark will boast 31 mpg highway fuel economy, a remarkable 45-percent over the outgoing Jeep Liberty model. As for the more robust Pentastar V6, Jeep claims the Cherokee boasts a best-in-class V6 towing capability of 4,500 pounds.The Jeep Cherokee can be equipped with three different four-wheel drive systems: Active Drive I, Active Drive II, and Active Drive Lock. All of these systems come with Jeep's Selec-Terrain traction control system and rear-axle disconnect feature. IBT Media
Jeep revives its iconic 2014 Cherokee SUV at the 2013 New York International Auto Show after a hiatus that lasted for more than a decade.
Returning as a crossover at a much more competitive market, the Jeep Cherokee was developed under significant direction from Italian automaker and Chrysler owner Fiat. Since the original Cherokee retired in 2001, the truck-based SUV market has plummeted by more than 50 percent in just ten years.
A highly anticipated model, the new Jeep Cherokee rides on the same platform as the acclaimed front-wheel-drive Dodge Dart sedan.
A major stylistic departure from the previous Jeep SUVs, the new Cherokee features a radical, and rather controversial, front fascia that has become a popular topic of conversation. "I like that it's not a box. It's a bit of a surprise coming from our brand," says head of Jeep design Mark Allen.
According to sources, Jeep execs hope the radical styling will be enough for hip first adopters to flock to Jeep over the more boring and mundane shapes from the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Ford Escape.
Inside, the new 2014 Jeep Cherokee will now feature an impressive 9-speed automatic transmission, a first for the crossover segment. The 2014 Jeep Cherokee is available with two powerplants: a 2.4 liter MultiAir2 Tigershark inline-4 engine producing 184 hp and 171 lb.-ft. of torque and a 3.2 liter Pentastar V6 engine with 271 hp and 239 lb.-ft. of torque.
According to Jeep, the new MultiAir2 Tigershark will boast 31 mpg highway fuel economy, a remarkable 45-percent over the outgoing Jeep Liberty model. As for the more robust Pentastar V6, Chrysler was happy to announce that the Cherokee will feature best-in-class V6 towing capability rated at 4,500 pounds.
Be sure to take a look at the 2014 Jeep Cherokee SUV at the 2013 New York International Auto show at the gallery below:
