Skip to main content

Brains and brawn don’t prevent Jeep’s new 2014 Cherokee from getting dirty

IMG_8995
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you’re going to make an entrance, you’re better off making it a memorable one.

In fact, no other automaker has even come close to making quite the spectacle Jeep did during its press conference and subsequent unveiling of their much anticipated and somewhat controversial 2014 Cherokee. Jeep recreated the rocky terrain of Moab, Utah, on stage and drove two of its new Cherokees to the applause of the assembled automotive world’s scribes and photographers.

IMG_8994
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Speaking to the packed room of journalist, Jeep President and CEO Mike Manley introduced the world to reinvigorated 2014 Cherokee, a car that replaces the discontinued Liberty in Jeep’s mid-size SUV lineup.

It’s easy to get excited about the Cherokee’s almost out-of-this-world new looks. The design is equal parts aggressive with a brand new front fascia and windswept headlights.

IMG_9004
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Not everyone will take to the Cherokee’s modern interpretation, which is decidedly curvier than anything we’ve ever seen from the Jeep camp but we admit being smitten with its sleek new threads and progressive design.

Of course it’s easy to get carried away with the Cherokee’s new look, but we’re just as excited about its surprisingly robust tech suite and careful attention to the needs of the modern driver.

IMG_9007
Image used with permission by copyright holder

In addition to a new cargo management system located at the rear of the vehicle, which is essentially a series of molded trays and compartments for onboard cargo (think of it as an oversized picnic plate with specific sections for your potato salad and baked beans), Jeep has added a wireless charging pad, centrally located USB ports, and a dedicated space for mobile phones – a surprisingly often-overlooked feature in virtually all automobiles on the road today.

The 2014 Cherokee also packs a segment first: a configurable seven-inch LCD instrument cluster which provides information for real-time fuel economy and turn-by-turn navigation.

IMG_9002
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Additionally, drivers can add an 8.4-inch touchscreen display in the center console that integrates with Chrysler’s UConnect system, allowing for Bluetooth audio streaming through apps like Pandora and Slacker.

Jeep was also keen to point out a number of driver assistance tech including the tongue-twisting Park Sense active park assist system, which utilizes a number of ultrasonic sensors placed around the Cherokee and provides drivers with parallel and perpendicular parking assistance. With Jeep’s park assist, drivers are only responsible for throttle and brake controls. Hands off that steering wheel!

IMG_9006
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Of course, this being a Jeep, a great deal of emphasis was placed on the car’s off-road ability. Jeep says it has improved the vehicle’s ground clearance to encourage off-road jaunts.

The 2014 Cherokee will be available in four different model trims. On stage during the press conference were the Trailhawk and Limited, with Sport and Latitude models to follow.

Customers will be able to choose from two different engines: a 3.2 Pentastar V6 producing 271 hp and 239 lb.ft of torque, and a turbocharged 2.4-liter Tigershark Multiair good for 184 horses and 171 lb.ft of torque. Chrysler fans will undoubtedly recognize the turbocharged Tigershark as one of the engines offered in the 2013 Dodge Dart.

Pricing has yet to be confirmed, though Jeep says all four models of the 2014 Cherokee will start to appear in dealer showrooms during third quarter of this year.

Editors' Recommendations

Amir Iliaifar
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Associate Automotive Section Editor for Digital Trends, Amir Iliaifar covers the ever increasing cross-section between tech…
Cadillac aims to balance its lineup with a small electric SUV
Exterior of the Cadillac Optiq compact electric SUV.

Cadillac will add an entry-level electric SUV to its lineup in 2024.

The Cadillac Optiq is a "luxury compact SUV" slotting below the Lyriq in the brand's EV hierarchy. Photos released with the brief announcement show styling features that tie the Optiq to the larger Lyriq, such as split taillights, but other details won't be released until closer to the Optiq's launch.

Read more
Why your EV’s voltage matters, and what it means for your car’s charging speed
Front three-quarters view of a 2023 Kia EV6 GT in a desert setting.

Electric cars are slowly, but surely becoming commonplace, and they introduce a whole new generation of specifications that are worth caring about. Range is an obvious one -- but there's another metric that has a major impact on the overall experience of owning an electric car: voltage.

You'll often see the voltage of an electric car's battery pack touted in advertising. Hyundai, for instance, is proud of the 800 -volt battery in cars like the EV6 -- that's double the voltage of the 400V battery in the Tesla Model Y.

Read more
This Milwaukee tire inflator is 59% off in Amazon’s Black Friday Sale
Milwaukee M18 Inflator connected to a van tire.

One of the most rewarding parts of covering Black Friday deals is finding an essential tool at a truly low price that can help our readers get out of a jam. Such is the way with this Milwaukee M18 Inflator, which will inflate your tires to a precise PSI at the touch of a button. This device is perfect for people that already own one of Milwaukee's M18 tool batteries, which is what it uses, but (we'll soon see) it is also a fantastic entry point into using Milwaukee cordless power tools. Normally the Milwaukee M18 Inflator is $310, but you can get one now for $128. That's a savings of $182. Tap the button below to grab one quickly, while they're still in stock, or keep reading for why we like it.

Why you should buy the Milwaukee M18 Inflator
First and foremost, the Milwaukee M18 Inflator provides an easy way for you to inflate your tires in a pinch or awkward situation. It is particularly great for the tires of riding lawnmowers. They tend to be awkward to get to the gas station or other place where you traditionally inflate tires and would be a pain to hand inflate. Usage of the machine is simple. Insert an M18 Milwaukee battery, set the desired PSI for the deflated tire, connect to the tire and wait until it is done inflating. The Milwaukee M18 Inflator will stop pumping air automatically once the ideal PSI is achieved. When you're done, the Milwaukee M18 Inflator is small and easy to tuck away, being about the size of a lunchbox.

Read more