Ever since the Jeep Cherokee was discontinued after 2001, the segment leading SUV from Chrysler handed its market domination over to the likes of the Ford Escape and even imports including the Honda CR-V.
Now, the Pentastar brand has confirmed that Jeep will finally revive its iconic Cherokee model for 2014. Likewise, the designers took a daring leap in styling and aesthetics. Unfortunately, given the awkward design language, we wonder if the Cherokee is better off gone for good.
The original Cherokee was admired for its purposeful and utilitarian design. What's more, the succeeding Jeep Liberty SUV never managed to achieve the same cult following the Cherokee once did.
Incorporating the signature seven slat grille, the new Cherokee features an exaggerated "waterfall" design on the vent openings that awkwardly convex from all the way over the top. What's more, a strip of LED bulbs act as an "eyebrow" over what looks to be (we really can't be sure what we're looking at) the main headlamp while another deck of foglights are located below.
While the new 2014 Cherokee may well have strong bones and a capable platform, it's overly fussy design has caused quite an universally negative impression on the SUV.
Here are the reactions from the writers of Road & Track:
Now it's your turn. Let us know what you think about the latest 2014 Jeep Cherokee in the comment section below! Stay tuned as we learn more about the Cherokee in the weeks ahead of its New York Auto Show debut.
