2016 Jeep Cherokee: Off-roading in Style

What does the s stand for you ask?  It stands for sport which makes this beauty fun to drive, and very easy on the eyes.

The new Cherokee shares its underpinnings with the Chrysler 200, Dodge Dart and new parent company Fiat 500L, before adding its newly styled body. Keeping its Jeep roots, the Cherokee is distinctive with its smaller chiseled front vertical grille and stylish lines. Think of the Cherokee as a pint-sized Grand Cherokee with the same level of refinement.  Jeep models are well-known for their off-road ability, and with four trim levels to choose from, you can select your level of refinement between the Sport, Latitude, off-road Trailhawk or luxury Limited model.

Engine choices include a standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a more potent 3.2-liter V-6 with nine-speed automatic transmissions. Front-wheel or four-wheel drive is available, and most Cherokee models include an Active Drive system where off-road, low-range gearing comes into play.  In addition, all four-wheel drive models include a Terrain dial to set the stage for Snow, Sand/Mud, Auto or Sport modes to improve tire grip.

The engine includes a stop/start feature this year that seamlessly shuts down at idle while braking. The system comes to life automatically when lifting off the brake pedal.  An adaptive cruise control system keeps the SUV a pre-set distance away from traffic ahead, braking or accelerating to achieve a set speed. The Jeep system is unique from rival adaptive cruise controls in that it offers a stop and go feature. While most other systems drop off at slow speeds, requiring the driver to take over, the Jeep system brings the SUV to a full stop in traffic and accelerates to the pre-set speed after taking pressure off the brake pedal. This feature can be defeated with a touch on the brake pedal, but once used to its sensitivity.

For more information, stop by Huffines Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM Plano 4500 West Plano Parkway Plano, TX or give us a call at 972-867-6000 today!

Jeep: An American Original

The 2014 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk V-6 is aimed at a whole new generation of the American man.  Just being tough isn’t enough anymore.  The Trailhawk knows how to appeal to the new “sensitive modern man.”  This coming from the brand that helped the Allies win World War II.

It earns its Trail Rated badge by lofting the shared architecture an inch further from the dirt, tucking it behind skid plates, and fitting a locking rear differential, knobby Firestone Destination A/T tires, and unique front and rear fascia’s that up its off-road-critical approach, departure, and break over angles to 29.9, 32.2, and 22.9 degrees. Those are increases of 8.9, 4.9, and 1.2 from the regular Cherokee’s. Should you get in over your elevated head, the ’Hawk’s three tow hooks—two up front, one in back, all bright red regardless of exterior color choice—give the rescue party something easy to snatch without bending any suspension components.

The Firestones’ chunky tread blocks promise off-road capability, but sacrifice little on-road refinement in exchange. Its suspension clearly designed for more than crawling over rocks, the Cherokee is quiet and composed over the road. None of its varied platform-mates is so refined. Steering response remains sharp, with a degree of road feel we’d never have expected in a Jeep. And the firm brake pedal feels like foreshadowing for a Cherokee Abarth. The Trailhawk circled the skid pad at a respectable 0.77 g, just 0.02 down on the pavement-oriented Limited.

You know you can’t wait to get behind the wheel of this one.  Come check it out at Huffines Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM Plano 4500 West Plano Parkway Plano, TX or give us a call at 972-867-6000 today!