I've watched a slew of car review videos lately as I prepare to buy in the coming days and you sir have slayed them all. This is what I expect from a salesman and get about .03% of. Amazing buddy, just amazing. Thank you for clarifying what is a very confusing car to buy.
Enjoy it while it lasts. Mine has been nightmare. Transmission failed at 12K and again at 21K miles . Shifter failed at 20K miles. Rear differential failed at 25K miles. Luckily all covered by the warranty. After the warranty lapses I cannot afford to keep it. I'm not buying this brand ever again. Paid $36K.
Bro. Tolliver nope... the AWD works fine for my needs, but my needs are super basic. Just driving on road and in snow. The only thing I’ve picked up on in terms of driving feel and the AWD system is if I accelerate from a stop and I’m turning a sharp corner, there’s no lag or slip. It feels like all 4 wheels get equal power and the car pulls around the corner effortlessly. A while back I drove a ‘17 Cherokee trail hawk and that thing had torque steer, which surprised me a lot. I think I heard there were revisions to the AWD system for ‘19, and based on my experience I’d say those were some good revisions!
Troy V that really sucks... sorry to hear it. I’m no FCA fanboy... I totally get that they have issues. I only have 9700 miles on mine so who know what will happen. Fingers crossed! FWIW I had a ‘16 Challenger before the jeep and had a perfectly trouble free 35k miles. But that’s the easy part, right? So many cars are made to lease, not to buy :-/
I actually own the Overland Jeep Cherokee with all the bells and whistles. I'm sorry to hear what happened with your Jeep, Troy V. My Jeep is currently at 15K and the only maintenance I've needed was an oil change. Almost had it for a year now too. So far I love the 2.0L Hurricane engine, and driving through the snow has been a breeze even with the all season tires, although I now use winter tires which give that extra grip and comfort. Overall my experience with my Jeep has been great!
It's so refreshing to hear an automotive reviewer who actually understands what the Jeep Cherokee is. No it doesn't get the best fuel economy in its class, nor does it have the most cargo space but it wasn't designed to. It is built differently. It's off-road capabilities require added strength which makes for more weight. If you want a fuel sipping SUV with great on road driving dynamics and never intend to go off road than a Jeep is not for you. I also agree Alex with your opinion of the new Ford Escape styling. I do not like it. Thanks for the great reviews and detailed information!
Like Alex says, every auto has its compromises, whether it's in the realm of fuel economy, handling, or performance. Put another way, every vehicle displays its emphasis or priorities. Here, the Cherokee is biased in favor of off-road performance. It actually seems to be a good overall vehicle with great towing capability for its size with the V-6 as well as off-road capability (where I go for our camping/range, it doesn't require hard-core off-road performance). I'll give up a little bit of the sportiness that the likes of the CX-9 has, or the cargo volume of the RAV4 and Rogue (90% of the time, I am the only driver, so I won't even need the second row and will flip those seats down when I go camping) for towing and mild off-road capability.
"But... muh freedum!" (I agree. I remember back in my day, Ricers would "clear out" their turn signals by pulling out the amber strips inside the plastic covers and put in ridiculously bright white bulbs so they can blind everyone when they flash their hazards. Jerks.)
@@apparently2 unfortunately, color blond people won’t be able to the difference. Red and green look the same often times to color blind people. But, it would help a majority of people.
Alex, Let's give Jeep credit for the sheer volume of variations , V6 power and off road capability. Let's hope it encourages others to offer their customers a similar range.
If one is towing a small camper or trailer, the Cherokee is really the only game in town. The V-6 with the factory towing package gives it unparalleled towing capacity at 4,500 pounds (2,000 without the factory package). Most compact SUVs can't even top 2,000.
@@rightlanehog3151 About the only one that does (or did) is the Kia Sorento. Sadly, for 2021, they dropped the V-6 from the Sorento lineup in favor of the Turbo 4. Part of that may have been to distinguish the Sorento from the larger Telluride (or, push people who want a V-6 to pony up the bucks for the larger Telluride).
Excellent review as always, Alex. Personal story on the current Cherokee. In April of 2018 we leased a 19 for my wife. She liked the new headlight design and April was basically the first month they hit lots in our area (Western New York). We leased a Limited with the V6, adding the luxury group and pano roof. We wanted the advanced safety group, but none were in our area at that time. 2 year lease. We mostly enjoyed it, no major issues, could get 30 on the highway, 21-22 in mixed. V6 enough power. Last fall I started keeping an eye on local inventory, within 150 miles of our zip code... Almost NEVER did a model show up of any trim that was ordered with the advanced safety group, the one you need for adaptive cruise. This was before the pandemic hit. Over the final few months, none were available at all. We ended up moving to a different vehicle instead as a result, we really wanted adaptive cruise as we have it in my F150. I'm glad your tester had it, but i found it ridiculous that it was basically impossible to get one with features that are now standard on many competitors over such a long period of time.
I have a 2015 Cherokee and overall enjoy it. It does have its flaws though... I have started using premium gas and have noticed the car drives MUCH better when higher octane is used. More power, better shifts and better fuel economy.
There is another automotive Facebook page that recommends use of premium fuel in any car. They claim that in speaking with most manufacturers, while their owners manual may say to use regular, or even "OK with regular, premium recommended," they would just as soon that refineries produce only premium because of the long-term benefits to the car. If you live in an area where ethanol is prevalent or mandated, premium is about the only way to get decent performance out of the engine.
Alex, fantastic and thorough review as always! I had the 2014 Cherokee and the 2017 Cherokee. Both 3-year leases. Both cars were generally reliable and capable. But Jeep has managed to make rugged cars that are not that durable. Both undercarriages felt looser and sounded noisier by the end of three years, and this is with NO off-roading. Next stop -- X3 or CX-5.
My mother owns a KL generation Cherokee. That Pentastar V6 has been used for so long with so little changes, that it has the same effect as the Toyota "don't change it unless you're making little fixes to make it more reliable" way of becoming more and more reliable. That, and since it's not Direct-Injection, it won't get gunked up valves if decent petrol is used. The 9-speed transmission also nets it 30+ MPG at 65 MPH from Sacramento to San Francisco (31.8 last time it was used) with the owner's manual recommended 89/Plus petrol. Alex is dead-on when it comes to the handling (B-) and ride characteristics (A), though, and the stereo is surprisingly good for a stock non-optioned system.
I'm glad to hear that about the mileage (which is why I like reading user comments to get real-world driving experiences). I generally use Premium in my Toyota Avalon Hybrid, especially on road trips, and Plus for local commuting. My one reservation about an SUV is the vast difference in fuel mileage, but 30 MPG real-world on the highway is totally fine by me.
I live next to some back trails near the mountains and I was able to Demo a FWD v6, I took it to those trails and it made me feel so confident!!! Even on some roads that I shouldn’t have gone on considering I wasn’t a 4x4, but while deflating my tires helped the car made that experience fun
I sold my 2005 Lexus rx350 with 144k on it and got a 2015 Cherokee limited V6 with 4wd and with pano roof and 9 speaker system I wasnt looking to spend $50k on a new suv and i bought my cherokee for after discounts for under $30k and now has 53k miles on it no issues yet, average 17 mpg in town and 26mpg on long trips, my only issue is on very long steep hills upwards trans feels like converter is slipping, I love the comfort of the seats not to narrow and not to firm and the stereo sounds pretty darn good with the 9 speaker system I test drove a few cherokees with basic stereo and not as good as the upgraded one and I highly recommend if you want cherokee get the upgraded stereo with subwoofer, handles snow here in midwest very well the only thing more I want is heated and cooled front seats and rear heated seats, looking to upgrade to a newer one this coming year or so
UPDATE: Today, I test drove a 2021 Cherokee Limited. In the short drive, I found no issue with the ZF 9-speed, so perhaps its dubious reputation has finally been overcome. I still have some reservations about its long-term durability, and I still read about people having had the transmission replaced within the first three years (or less). After this test drive, I am satisfied enough to keep it on my short list of compact/mid-size SUVs.
I have the Cherokee 4wd and I am ok with the compromises. The fuel economy in the city is really poor 12 mpg in highway is ok 24 mpg. The ride confort and suspension is really good. It is a good cruiser for traveling and I feel safe when I need it out of the route ( 3 -4 times a year). For me the possibility of going off road with confidence (nothing extreme but steep bumpy unpaved roads in the highlands) and cruising the highway in total comfort totally worth it
I DEEPLY REGRET buying my 2020 Cherokees. Learn from my MISTAKES. My 1st 2020 Cherokee was a lemon and my 2nd 2020 Cherokee was not built right and neither Jeep or the selling dealer Bob Poynter Columbus will make it right . BUYER BEWARE do NOT BUY a Cherokee or trust a Jeep dealer. Just Empty Every Pocket is a TRUE acronym.
We've owned a 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk V6 since we bought it new. I've taken it to the dealer exactly twice in 5 years to update the transmission software. Gas mileage has been in the low to mid 20's. Otherwise, it has been a very reliable vehicle. I don't get all the FCA bashing.
People who bash Jeeps have never owned one. Funny how JD Powers just published their initial quality ratings and Jeep bested Toyota, Honda and Subaru. There’s your statistics.
Only those people that drive RAV4s and CRVs and believe they're the best thing next to Heaven really bash Jeep. The Cherokee is simply different. That doesn't make it worse than those tinny 4cyl cute-utes. It is built with in keeping Jeep's 4WD mission in mind, so yes, there will be compromises. But where elss are you getting two 4WD systems, a V6, a Turbo 4, a still fresh interior, the best infotainment in the class, decent towing, full exterior LED lighting(inc turn signals), etc ALL in one combo in this class?
I had the six cyl and it was crap. After FCA took out second gear downshift instead of fixing the flawed snap ring thing, my six never got more than 17mpg.
There are still a lot of people who won't buy a vehicle with that safety tech package, so it makes sense from every commercial aspect to have it optional even on the limited. I know a woman who bought a 124,000 dollar S class and within 3 months traded it in because the safety tech made the driving experience unbearable. She said how lane keep assist throwing her around made her extremely nervous and the car came to a sudden stop because of a leaf. (no one ever told her they could be turned off and she was 73 at the time). But now she drives a Grand Cherokee and she bought it specifically because it had no safety tech and has been fine ever since. There are lots of people just like her who won't buy a new vehicle if it has those techs, and likely will not buy new vehicles if they ever become mandated by law.
I’ll be interested in hearing your thoughts on the Escape hybrid once you get a chance for a full review. The RAV4 and CRV for some reason taking up all the oxygen by the press. Those are great vehicles, but My 5 month’s experience has me very satisfied. The car-like handling sealed the deal for me, less truck-like than the Toyota, and comfy seats, seamless hybrid operation, and quiet ride ride exude a quality product. The Escape has received some great reviews, especially from a portion of the Canadian TH-cam reviewers.
I was really hoping you would comment on how the amber turn signal uses the same space in the module as the brake light. You cannot see both a brake light and a turn signal in the same module at the same time. The light is either red OR amber. This is a major safety concern that is also present on the new Ram 1500 and Tesla Model X.
I hope you're correct and they've finally fixed the ZF9 speed transmission. I had a '14 and boy was that awful. It just didn't feel confidence inspiring.
If it makes you feel better, a Jeep mechanic on TH-cam called Online Mechanic Tips noted that while the 2014 and 2015 models definitely had issues, the newer models seem to have worked out the bugs. Also, check out Alex's 2015 video about the ZF 9-speed; the use of dog clutches in two gears (5th to 6th and 7th to 8th, if I recall) takes some getting used to.
Yeah it's heavy! I've gotten it stuck offroading a few times, and I've had 5 (FIVE) people try and help me push it, and the little Cherokee wouldn't budge. lol
The one thing I will always knock jeep on is they need to make more safety tech standard. Regardless if you want it or not alot of people love toyota and honda making their safety tech standard even on base models
@Mike DeMarco Concur. As much as I am amazed that relatively few Jeep Cherokees on the used market have the factory towing package, I too see the wisdom of leaving it to the buyer to decide how to equip their car. I just wish more of the safety-related features on high end models of any brand were available on lower trim lines; I really don't care about having wood trim, a moonroof, or Nappa leather, but I could totally live with cloth seats and a relatively plain interior if I could have a car with adaptive cruise, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, parking sensors, etc.
I had to play this back a couple of times and still missed what trim level you were reviewing. There were a couple of spots where you said something like "in this trim level" but never followed through with identifying it. Was this the Overland, High Altitude, or Limited edition? FWIW, if you want to be able to tow a small camper, the Cherokee is about the only game in town. All the others might be able to tow a offroad utility vehicle, jet ski, a couple of motorcycles, and maybe even a pop-up camper, but not a small camper. EDIT: After reviewing Jeep literature and seeing some examples on CarGurus, this is likely a Limited or perhaps Latitude Lux. The Overland trim has the script "Overland" logo stitched into the seat just below the headrest, whereas the model in this video simply has "Jeep" embroidered in.
I was hoping Alex would've gone truly retro and uploaded "Cherokee Nation" by Paul Revere and The Raiders for the obligatory infotainment display screen at the 12:25 videomark.
I remember Mickey Dolenz of "The Monkees" pitching one of those greatest hits albums that were big in the late 60s and 70s. He was acting like an Indian preparing an ambush with a kiddie-sized bow and suction cup arrow when the commercial played a clip from "Cherokee Nation."
It probably could, or at least it would win the bang-for-the-buck. I saw an amazingly beautiful 2019 Cherokee Overland with white paint and saddle/baseball glove leather seats. I would have been on it in a New York second if it had come with the factory towing package; without that, a Cherokee can only tow 2,000 pounds. Even if you refit the Cherokee with the factory hitch, wiring harness, and install an aftermarket oil or transmission cooler, you still don't get the final drive ratio that comes with the factory package.
Ive been watching the ford because of the mechanical 4x4 and hybrid and i have a f150 to trade and ford made masks for us for the crisis . I dont much like how they look in pictures but ive been seeing them it person and they look much more substantial in size and the look is much better in person . I think i like them . I will wait till the small Broncos come out and will wait for the second year to see about reliability and so the prices come down . They are not listing the hybrids prices yet online .
I actually like the looks of the Escape, and something like the Escape, RAV4, Rogue, or the Cherokee are just the right size for me. However, when it comes to towing, there's really only one option out there: the Cherokee with the V-6 and the towing package. That's the only way you can get 4,500 pounds of towing capacity in a compact SUV.
Did the Honda CR-V grow in size and Toyota RAV4 get smaller? The graphic at the bottom @2:48 in this video is different from the video on the 2019 Jeep Cherokee First Drive Review.
Even though the cargo area is relatively small from a cubic feet perspective, it still holds 5 carry ons? I find that a better measure of real-world cargo volume than cubic feet.....
For someone like me who will rarely use the second row, the cargo capacity with those seats down is pretty good. The biggest thing for me is that the tow package with the Class III hitch gives it significantly better towing capability than anything else in the segment. To get more towing power, you have to move up to something like a Grand Cherokee, Durango, or Pathfinder. The Highlander barely beats the Cherokee (5,000 to 4,500), but that is a significantly larger vehicle.
I am totally convinced that the exterior design of the Escape is the most beautiful of all compact suvs, its defect is to be a Ford product. The Bronco will be as ugly as the last generation of rav4. Final Point .
Alex I love your review on the Cherokee and you're right it is a true off-road vehicle it is a shame FCA Chrysler has not come up with a true hybrid with something that has comparable mileage to the Toyota RAV4 why should someone like ME buy a Toyota RAV4 hybrid when you do want to go off-road like me I'm a wildlife photographer .
so i might have missed oit, but did you mention the torque vectoring and the speed of which power can be shuffled wheel to wheel? just for my own understanding when trying to find a good speed/cornering AWD/4WD system, i would like to know.
SH AWD (aka ivtm4) from Honda has best handling awd, because it's made to enhance cornering by spinning rear diagonal wheel faster...But clutch awds will overheat in crawl use...Interestingly trucks now days have both, locked 4x4 and 4x4 auto
Depends on the 4x4 system you get. Active Drive 1 has 4 modes: Auto - can send up to 40% to the rear in an even split. Snow - can send up to 40% to either rear wheel Sport - can send up to 60% to the rear in an even split Sand/Mud - can send up to 100% to the rear in an even split. Active Drive 2 can do the same thing, with the additional 4WD Low functionality, and additional features like hill climb/descent and mechanical lockers.
For some reason the Cherokee has been withdrawn from sale in the UK. It hasn't been available for the last two years at least. This is peculiar because it competes an a very buoyant sales sector, directly against the LR Discovery Sport and Evoque and often the C-RV and Mazda CX5. Forget the V6 petrol, nobody buys that engine in the UK. The Honda twin-turbo diesel is an inersting competitor because it was available with the exact same ZF 9 speed auto but with Honda's mapping. Other strong rivals here are the Korean two with their models. You could also include the Jaguar E-Pace which also weighs about the same as the Jeep. Most also have a maximum tow weight of at least as much as the Jeep. The Honda and Disco Sport have 4400lbs tow or more. I was under the impression that the Cherokee sales were doing OK and growing, but no longer.
This one of the brand I'm interested for my next purchase until my colleague 1 year old Cherokee stalls while driving and we have to give him a ride to the dealership.
A missed opportunity to be sure. I crossed shopped them and the GM's have a much firmer ride, and the seats are a bit flatter and narrower. The rear legroom feels bigger in the GM's than the numbers let on though.
Have to admit that I'm pretty unfamiliar with the entire Jeep lineup. Serious "off roading" isn't a priority for me and that, of course, is the brand's claim to fame. I appreciate AWD/4WD capabilities here in the Pacific Northwest but mainly for our sometimes messy winters and driving TO a ski area or a trail head that calls for dirt or gravel roads not rock climbing or knee deep mud. Further, while I don't need a third row of seats very frequently, a midsize 3 row SUV with more cargo space when the back row isn't in use is a big convenience. Jeep's only 3 row midsize SUV isn't a Jeep, at all. It's a Dodge Durango. And finally, where I live my experience with Jeep dealers has been uniformly terrible -- the typical "What can I do to get you to buy a car today?" hustle. Unfortunately, it's been the same with all FCA dealers in the area, experiences that have led me to avoid seriously considering the otherwise appealing Durango, as well. With all that said, I find Alex' review of the (non-Grand) Cherokee to be interesting and for those who value a Jeep's traditional virtues but don't want to sacrifice those of a daily driver and road tripper in a compact SUV I can understand its appeal. No, it's not as "rugged" as its Wrangler stablemate. But the fact that it's a "compromise" is a strength, not a weakness. And the range of trims allows buyers to calibrate the extent of that compromise. Unfortunately, the number of two row CUV/SUV models in the Jeep lineup and the multiple trims of the Cherokee doesn't seem to have been good news in terms of sales of the model. Cherokee sales dropped 20% in 2019 and in the first quarter of 2020 dropped another 32%. Of course sales of many vehicles are down in the face of COVID-19. Among compact SUV's only the RAV4 and the KIA Sportage improved their sales compared to the first quarter of 2019. (16% and 4% respectively). But the Cherokee suffered more than most, dropping from 7th to 9th place with both the Forester and the CX-5 surpassing it. It may be that the numerous trims of the Cherokee contributes to consumer confusion rather than recognition of a range of options.
Cherokee sales dropped because Grand Cherokee and Wrangler sales went through the roof as finance options became more lucrative and rebates increased dramatically to stimulate inventory movement. It paid off. If you're not into off-roading, while the Cherokee's suspension produces a really comfortable ride, the performance and efficiency aspects of it aren't really worth getting over something like an Escape or Equinox which are more efficient, faster, and have more cargo.
Yea, so I have a 2019 Overland trim with the v6, let's talk about it... It doesn't even get close to 22mpg combined. Best I can average is 20.5. (15.8gal @ 20.5mpg, filling up around a quarter tank is roughly 250miles per tank) The FWD standard mode still drives like 4WD is locked in when you try to accelerate from a stop with the wheel in full lock. The vibrations are noticeable and quite annoying. Trying to pass on the highway is a no-go. Period. To get it to move, you have to wind this sucker out at WOT. But it gives up around 4500RPM, and just sounds loud and whiny. Any highway speeds above 70mph with the stock 19" wheels and those Bridgestone Dueler H/L tires makes it sound like you're getting a cavity drilled. The traction control system cuts power on speed bumps after the rear tires come off them. You have to let it coast for about a second before applying throttle. This is a known issue with no fix. Having said that, it can take a bump like a boss. The suspension feels more stable and compliant than even my wife's '17 Grand Cherokee. If the previous model before the refresh's transmission was poorly programmed and shifted weird, it must have been a nightmare because this one is brain damaged. At least a second's worth of hesitation, it is constantly shifting on anything not completely flat terrain, (and I live in TN, so that's all it does), and 9th gear doesn't even hit on mine till 90mph. But it's so loud at that speed from wind and tire noise that I'd really rather not. If the 2020 model has resolved that, I may try to get that TCM programming in my 20,000 service along with getting the wheel turn vibration checked. The interior is comfortable, but the steering wheel bottom sits approximately 2 inches from my crotch, and I'm 6'3" so the seat is backed up and as low as it can go, too. Granted, there is no steering wheel at all in my view of the road, and it's a nice view, but that is with it tilted as "high" as it will go. The vented seats are nice. the AC is super strong, and cools off quickly. The window motors work well and fast. The infotainment works great, is snappy, and highly intuitive. Android Auto constantly disconnects, but I think it's a short in the USB plug in front of the shifter. It has a much taller and wider view out the back windows than most in the segment. The backup camera resolution looks like a first gen digital camera, on par with Mazda's. It handles night vision well though. The pano roof always stays open, the UV coat on it really cuts down on heat from the sun, and it really opens it up inside. The armrest on the console is already rattling at 16K miles. The saddest part about this thing? NO AFTERMARKET FOR THE KL! You can't turn this thing into an even bigger off-road monster with steel bumpers, or any bumpers really. NO larger fuel tanks available, no real suspension kits that don't involve spacers which hurt ride quality, no aftermarket armor or rails for non-Trailhawk trims. Also, on Jeep's website they are no longer offering the Overland Trim.
So, update to mine. I was able to take my Jeep in this week to have my concerns addressed, and it turns out that there were PCM and TCM software updates to brought mine up to the same shift and power mgmt logic of the 2020. It has actually had a significant impact on my daily drive. The howling noise is still present, but I blame the tires. The grinding/rubbing vibrations on turning lock have disappeared. Also, the transmission is actually much more aggressive on shifting. I haven't had a chance to take it over the speed bumps that trigger TCS to cut power, but I was told that the PCM update also addresses that. However, range is still dismal. Still looking for someone who can fabricate a 19gal. tank.
Its now been just over 3 months since you originally posted this review ... curious as to whether FCA ever got back to you to confirm whether there have been any mechanical / software tweeks to the 2020 version of the 9 speed transmission ?
TFL had a Jeep project engineer on their video of their 2019 Cherokee, and while the engineer did not go into specifics, he did say they made both software and hardware changes.
I owned a mazda cx-5 I sold it no power and not made for off road and bought a 2.0 turbo trailhawk needed a more off roady suv the only two small suv's that still have 4-low is the jeep and toyota 4 runner, the toyotas where expensive and get 18 mpg and interiors suck,love my trailhawk lots of power and is great off road.
Obviously you bought something not for your lifestyle. The CX5 is not meant for off-road, as for no power, the 2.5 is just perfect for the size. I would rather take the 4Runner it will spend less time at the dealership and will last longer than that 2 litre turbo. The reason they are so expensive is they are stupidly reliable. Plain and simple.
@@kevinW826 My brother has a toyota 4-runner has had more problems than I have had with the jeep in the first 10,000 miles and where I live in Colorado going over passes over 11,000 feet the toyota has no power I pass him every time he says its gutless have to have a turbo at these elevations.
Alex, why not Subaru Forester and Outback for comparison? If you are comparing RAV4 and CRV, there has to be a Subaru included for a respectable comparison. Not for the first time, you have excluded this brand. Have they pissed you off somewhat pal?
Subaru has been getting real picky with who they're letting review their vehicles. He's not the first TH-camr I've seen that has stopped reviewing them. The Fast Lane guys flat out said they pissed off Subaru by knocking its CVT while trying to take it offroad up Gold Mine Hill and stalling it out. That was a couple years ago. With Alex being a part of the same AVA group as TFL, I'd say they're probably not going to be doing many Subaru videos going forward. The Outback XT being the exception because of the major change with the turbo being offered again. Of course, he may also just be coming from a pure numbers perspective. There are tons of RAV4s, CR-Vs, and Jeep Cherokees sold. Not so many Foresters.
@@andrewclary872 The Fast Lane Car was from them taking it up The Cliffhanger in 2015, not Goldmine Hill. The Subaru they took on Goldmine Hill was one they purchased. Funny story about The Cliffhanger, the Subaru was the only crossover they took up it.
steering is funny-but normal for electric steering so says maint.manager,however my 2015 had electric and it steered well-thats the problem you may encounter at dealerships-maint follow up is a blowoff.
does it still consumes large amounts of oil? never seen a car going thru quarts of oil like these jeeps, value your money if you planning on buying one of these
@@JamesStiling True. Alex did another video in 2015 specifically about the ZF 9-speed, since that was in use in Chrysler/Jeep, Honda, and Land Rover. He mentioned that the 9th gear was aimed at the European market for your typical Autobahn driver (not surprisingly, the ZF is made in Germany). About the only places in America where you can legally stretch your car's legs past 80 are in Montana and eastern Colorado. In many places, you might even have difficulty getting into 8th gear if the Interstate is jammed or your state has lower speed limits (cough, Oregon, cough).
If I were Jeep I replace this Cherokee with current Grand a Cherokee and name it the classic, and then replace current Grand Cherokee with new design. Jeep should retire this Fiat.
No one. They just want the Jeep name which has been watered down so much by FCA. The Jeep Renegade is just a Fiat 500X. They ride on the same platform. The Wrangler is the last true Jeep.
For me it's piece of mind that if I need to get out of a situation...I can go over curbs or whatever with ease and keep going over any terrain. My jeep is ready to go if I need it to.
Worst POS I have ever owned and after that ridiculous swindle will never own another FCA product. The transmission was the worst ever and it could not drive on the beach without the 4WD overheating every time. Could not pull a trailer without a severe shaking problem. Warranty was replaced with "Operating as designed" phrase so it never got fixed.
I rented a Grand Cherokee for a week in October 2020, and it was a great vehicle, albeit too big for me as a daily driver (I am the only occupant 90% of the time). But I've heard what you have said about long-term durability elsewhere, so it does give me pause. As long as it doesn't have a CVT like the Nissan Pathfinder and Murano, or the water pump issues in the Ford Duratec engines and some Chevy engines (why they design a water pump to be internal, and run off the timing chain borders on malfeasance), I at least want to give the Cherokee a long, hard look.
Victor Giancola that weak and noisy four banger will outlast these turbo turds by miles. Honda screwed themselves, FCA, no thanks. Cant willingly put money into an FCA product.
The RAV4 is the best in the segment by far. The engine is very powerful and gets ridiculously good mpg. The hybrid and prime model are even better. This Cherokee is basically a FIAT.
Maybe sale numbers made them do just bit better crossovers, i wish they would have modern continuation of Cherokee XJ keeping solid axles, kind of like bigger better equipped more expansive Jimny...At least they do have little extra stuff which segment doesn't have, even Renegade has the extra center locker which keeps it locked even while sitting still, although it is still automatic it works nicely
I test drove all of them before I bought my Cherokee and I liked the the solid feel and ride quality. The others felt like tin cans. I also got mine with the 2.0 turbo and the others can’t compare when it comes to performance.
Here's one significant reason: towing. None of the others can match the Cherokee for towing. With the tow package, the Cherokee can pull up to 4,500 pounds. The closest the competition can come is the RAV4 in Adventure trim, which can tow 3,000 pounds (other trims can only do 1,500 pounds with the 4-cyl and 1,750 with the hybrid).
I've watched a slew of car review videos lately as I prepare to buy in the coming days and you sir have slayed them all. This is what I expect from a salesman and get about .03% of. Amazing buddy, just amazing. Thank you for clarifying what is a very confusing car to buy.
Love Love Love my Cherokee Trailhawk, drives so smooth and quiet with nice power. Great job Jeep
I own this exact model (same color, trim level, engine, etc) and I absolutely love it!!!
After driving yours for a while, did/do you care about any of the locking differential, center coupling, torque venturing, transfer case etc etc?
Enjoy it while it lasts. Mine has been nightmare. Transmission failed at 12K and again at 21K miles . Shifter failed at 20K miles. Rear differential failed at 25K miles. Luckily all covered by the warranty. After the warranty lapses I cannot afford to keep it. I'm not buying this brand ever again. Paid $36K.
Bro. Tolliver nope... the AWD works fine for my needs, but my needs are super basic. Just driving on road and in snow. The only thing I’ve picked up on in terms of driving feel and the AWD system is if I accelerate from a stop and I’m turning a sharp corner, there’s no lag or slip. It feels like all 4 wheels get equal power and the car pulls around the corner effortlessly. A while back I drove a ‘17 Cherokee trail hawk and that thing had torque steer, which surprised me a lot. I think I heard there were revisions to the AWD system for ‘19, and based on my experience I’d say those were some good revisions!
Troy V that really sucks... sorry to hear it. I’m no FCA fanboy... I totally get that they have issues. I only have 9700 miles on mine so who know what will happen. Fingers crossed!
FWIW I had a ‘16 Challenger before the jeep and had a perfectly trouble free 35k miles. But that’s the easy part, right? So many cars are made to lease, not to buy :-/
I actually own the Overland Jeep Cherokee with all the bells and whistles. I'm sorry to hear what happened with your Jeep, Troy V. My Jeep is currently at 15K and the only maintenance I've needed was an oil change. Almost had it for a year now too. So far I love the 2.0L Hurricane engine, and driving through the snow has been a breeze even with the all season tires, although I now use winter tires which give that extra grip and comfort. Overall my experience with my Jeep has been great!
I always enjoy the subtle comments Alex makes when displaying songs on the entertainment systems. "Compromise" is a perfect synopsis of the Cherokee.
The composition of the shot comparing the two cars diffrent headlights was just.. perfect.
It's so refreshing to hear an automotive reviewer who actually understands what the Jeep Cherokee is. No it doesn't get the best fuel economy in its class, nor does it have the most cargo space but it wasn't designed to. It is built differently. It's off-road capabilities require added strength which makes for more weight. If you want a fuel sipping SUV with great on road driving dynamics and never intend to go off road than a Jeep is not for you. I also agree Alex with your opinion of the new Ford Escape styling. I do not like it. Thanks for the great reviews and detailed information!
Like Alex says, every auto has its compromises, whether it's in the realm of fuel economy, handling, or performance. Put another way, every vehicle displays its emphasis or priorities. Here, the Cherokee is biased in favor of off-road performance. It actually seems to be a good overall vehicle with great towing capability for its size with the V-6 as well as off-road capability (where I go for our camping/range, it doesn't require hard-core off-road performance). I'll give up a little bit of the sportiness that the likes of the CX-9 has, or the cargo volume of the RAV4 and Rogue (90% of the time, I am the only driver, so I won't even need the second row and will flip those seats down when I go camping) for towing and mild off-road capability.
Amber turn signals should be required on all vehicles!
Tail lights should be green when the brakes aren't pressed, red when they are pressed.
Europe and Asia all must be, all vehicles where I live are amber all-round since ‘60s, vehicles that do not are modified to enter the market.
"But... muh freedum!"
(I agree. I remember back in my day, Ricers would "clear out" their turn signals by pulling out the amber strips inside the plastic covers and put in ridiculously bright white bulbs so they can blind everyone when they flash their hazards. Jerks.)
That would look weird on Mustangs
@@apparently2 unfortunately, color blond people won’t be able to the difference. Red and green look the same often times to color blind people. But, it would help a majority of people.
Since 1991 I drive a Grand Cherokee for 1/2 million miles and then I buy a new one. I am on my 5th one. The info about the Durango was news to me.
Alex, Let's give Jeep credit for the sheer volume of variations , V6 power and off road capability. Let's hope it encourages others to offer their customers a similar range.
If one is towing a small camper or trailer, the Cherokee is really the only game in town. The V-6 with the factory towing package gives it unparalleled towing capacity at 4,500 pounds (2,000 without the factory package). Most compact SUVs can't even top 2,000.
@@JBM425 I am still waiting for others to offer a V6 as well.
@@rightlanehog3151 About the only one that does (or did) is the Kia Sorento. Sadly, for 2021, they dropped the V-6 from the Sorento lineup in favor of the Turbo 4. Part of that may have been to distinguish the Sorento from the larger Telluride (or, push people who want a V-6 to pony up the bucks for the larger Telluride).
Excellent review as always, Alex.
Personal story on the current Cherokee. In April of 2018 we leased a 19 for my wife. She liked the new headlight design and April was basically the first month they hit lots in our area (Western New York). We leased a Limited with the V6, adding the luxury group and pano roof. We wanted the advanced safety group, but none were in our area at that time. 2 year lease. We mostly enjoyed it, no major issues, could get 30 on the highway, 21-22 in mixed. V6 enough power. Last fall I started keeping an eye on local inventory, within 150 miles of our zip code... Almost NEVER did a model show up of any trim that was ordered with the advanced safety group, the one you need for adaptive cruise. This was before the pandemic hit. Over the final few months, none were available at all. We ended up moving to a different vehicle instead as a result, we really wanted adaptive cruise as we have it in my F150. I'm glad your tester had it, but i found it ridiculous that it was basically impossible to get one with features that are now standard on many competitors over such a long period of time.
I’m not even trying to get this car. I just like your reviews lol
How he modulates his voice is very calming right?
I have a 2015 Cherokee and overall enjoy it. It does have its flaws though...
I have started using premium gas and have noticed the car drives MUCH better when higher octane is used. More power, better shifts and better fuel economy.
There is another automotive Facebook page that recommends use of premium fuel in any car. They claim that in speaking with most manufacturers, while their owners manual may say to use regular, or even "OK with regular, premium recommended," they would just as soon that refineries produce only premium because of the long-term benefits to the car. If you live in an area where ethanol is prevalent or mandated, premium is about the only way to get decent performance out of the engine.
Alex, fantastic and thorough review as always! I had the 2014 Cherokee and the 2017 Cherokee. Both 3-year leases. Both cars were generally reliable and capable. But Jeep has managed to make rugged cars that are not that durable. Both undercarriages felt looser and sounded noisier by the end of three years, and this is with NO off-roading. Next stop -- X3 or CX-5.
My mother owns a KL generation Cherokee. That Pentastar V6 has been used for so long with so little changes, that it has the same effect as the Toyota "don't change it unless you're making little fixes to make it more reliable" way of becoming more and more reliable. That, and since it's not Direct-Injection, it won't get gunked up valves if decent petrol is used. The 9-speed transmission also nets it 30+ MPG at 65 MPH from Sacramento to San Francisco (31.8 last time it was used) with the owner's manual recommended 89/Plus petrol.
Alex is dead-on when it comes to the handling (B-) and ride characteristics (A), though, and the stereo is surprisingly good for a stock non-optioned system.
I'm glad to hear that about the mileage (which is why I like reading user comments to get real-world driving experiences). I generally use Premium in my Toyota Avalon Hybrid, especially on road trips, and Plus for local commuting. My one reservation about an SUV is the vast difference in fuel mileage, but 30 MPG real-world on the highway is totally fine by me.
Best evaluation I’ve ever experienced!
Just bought a 2019 limited AWD and I’m blown away by it.
I live next to some back trails near the mountains and I was able to Demo a FWD v6, I took it to those trails and it made me feel so confident!!! Even on some roads that I shouldn’t have gone on considering I wasn’t a 4x4, but while deflating my tires helped the car made that experience fun
Always a fantastic Alex on Autos report👍👍😎🇺🇸
I sold my 2005 Lexus rx350 with 144k on it and got a 2015 Cherokee limited V6 with 4wd and with pano roof and 9 speaker system I wasnt looking to spend $50k on a new suv and i bought my cherokee for after discounts for under $30k and now has 53k miles on it no issues yet, average 17 mpg in town and 26mpg on long trips, my only issue is on very long steep hills upwards trans feels like converter is slipping, I love the comfort of the seats not to narrow and not to firm and the stereo sounds pretty darn good with the 9 speaker system I test drove a few cherokees with basic stereo and not as good as the upgraded one and I highly recommend if you want cherokee get the upgraded stereo with subwoofer, handles snow here in midwest very well the only thing more I want is heated and cooled front seats and rear heated seats, looking to upgrade to a newer one this coming year or so
UPDATE: Today, I test drove a 2021 Cherokee Limited. In the short drive, I found no issue with the ZF 9-speed, so perhaps its dubious reputation has finally been overcome. I still have some reservations about its long-term durability, and I still read about people having had the transmission replaced within the first three years (or less). After this test drive, I am satisfied enough to keep it on my short list of compact/mid-size SUVs.
I have the Cherokee 4wd and I am ok with the compromises. The fuel economy in the city is really poor 12 mpg in highway is ok 24 mpg. The ride confort and suspension is really good. It is a good cruiser for traveling and I feel safe when I need it out of the route ( 3 -4 times a year). For me the possibility of going off road with confidence (nothing extreme but steep bumpy unpaved roads in the highlands) and cruising the highway in total comfort totally worth it
Bought one last December. Love it!
I bought a V6 Trailhawk version last April. Love it , too!
Eric V What trim is this? He kept mentioning 'trim' but didn't specify.
@@swinglow33 I think it’s the Overland
@@EricV485 It is either the Overland or the Limited. The Overland has a special "Overland" script logo sewn into the seatback just under the headrest.
I DEEPLY REGRET buying my 2020 Cherokees. Learn from my MISTAKES. My 1st 2020 Cherokee was a lemon and my 2nd 2020 Cherokee was not built right and neither Jeep or the selling dealer Bob Poynter Columbus will make it right . BUYER BEWARE do NOT BUY a Cherokee or trust a Jeep dealer. Just Empty Every Pocket is a TRUE acronym.
I regret reading your BS comment.
As a Jeep fan: This is the SUV I want Alex.
Not my style but I like how many types of trim levels are available
We've owned a 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk V6 since we bought it new. I've taken it to the dealer exactly twice in 5 years to update the transmission software. Gas mileage has been in the low to mid 20's. Otherwise, it has been a very reliable vehicle. I don't get all the FCA bashing.
You don’t get statistics?
People who bash Jeeps have never owned one. Funny how JD Powers just published their initial quality ratings and Jeep bested Toyota, Honda and Subaru. There’s your statistics.
Only those people that drive RAV4s and CRVs and believe they're the best thing next to Heaven really bash Jeep. The Cherokee is simply different. That doesn't make it worse than those tinny 4cyl cute-utes. It is built with in keeping Jeep's 4WD mission in mind, so yes, there will be compromises. But where elss are you getting two 4WD systems, a V6, a Turbo 4, a still fresh interior, the best infotainment in the class, decent towing, full exterior LED lighting(inc turn signals), etc ALL in one combo in this class?
@@hellkitty1014 The RAV4 is a lot more solid than the FIAT Cherokee.
@@user-tb7rn1il3q mmmmkayyy.
Alex, terrific review…bravo. We love our Trail Hawk.
I honestly believe any FCA product with that 9 speed automatic works best with the Pentastar V6 rather than the 4 cylinders.
Way too many ongoing issues with that 9 spd part. Should be refined already.
I had the six cyl and it was crap. After FCA took out second gear downshift instead of fixing the flawed snap ring thing, my six never got more than 17mpg.
John Strand Same with Honda though.
There are still a lot of people who won't buy a vehicle with that safety tech package, so it makes sense from every commercial aspect to have it optional even on the limited. I know a woman who bought a 124,000 dollar S class and within 3 months traded it in because the safety tech made the driving experience unbearable. She said how lane keep assist throwing her around made her extremely nervous and the car came to a sudden stop because of a leaf. (no one ever told her they could be turned off and she was 73 at the time). But now she drives a Grand Cherokee and she bought it specifically because it had no safety tech and has been fine ever since. There are lots of people just like her who won't buy a new vehicle if it has those techs, and likely will not buy new vehicles if they ever become mandated by law.
I’ll be interested in hearing your thoughts on the Escape hybrid once you get a chance for a full review. The RAV4 and CRV for some reason taking up all the oxygen by the press. Those are great vehicles, but My 5 month’s experience has me very satisfied. The car-like handling sealed the deal for me, less truck-like than the Toyota, and comfy seats, seamless hybrid operation, and quiet ride ride exude a quality product. The Escape has received some great reviews, especially from a portion of the Canadian TH-cam reviewers.
I liked your opening statements.
Good review....nice job. Thanks.
Amber thumbs up!
I was really hoping you would comment on how the amber turn signal uses the same space in the module as the brake light. You cannot see both a brake light and a turn signal in the same module at the same time. The light is either red OR amber. This is a major safety concern that is also present on the new Ram 1500 and Tesla Model X.
I hope you're correct and they've finally fixed the ZF9 speed transmission. I had a '14 and boy was that awful. It just didn't feel confidence inspiring.
Can confirm, the latest TCM software updates I just had put on my '19 make a world of difference.
If it makes you feel better, a Jeep mechanic on TH-cam called Online Mechanic Tips noted that while the 2014 and 2015 models definitely had issues, the newer models seem to have worked out the bugs. Also, check out Alex's 2015 video about the ZF 9-speed; the use of dog clutches in two gears (5th to 6th and 7th to 8th, if I recall) takes some getting used to.
Yeah it's heavy! I've gotten it stuck offroading a few times, and I've had 5 (FIVE) people try and help me push it, and the little Cherokee wouldn't budge. lol
The one thing I will always knock jeep on is they need to make more safety tech standard. Regardless if you want it or not alot of people love toyota and honda making their safety tech standard even on base models
@Mike DeMarco Concur. As much as I am amazed that relatively few Jeep Cherokees on the used market have the factory towing package, I too see the wisdom of leaving it to the buyer to decide how to equip their car. I just wish more of the safety-related features on high end models of any brand were available on lower trim lines; I really don't care about having wood trim, a moonroof, or Nappa leather, but I could totally live with cloth seats and a relatively plain interior if I could have a car with adaptive cruise, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, parking sensors, etc.
I had to play this back a couple of times and still missed what trim level you were reviewing. There were a couple of spots where you said something like "in this trim level" but never followed through with identifying it. Was this the Overland, High Altitude, or Limited edition? FWIW, if you want to be able to tow a small camper, the Cherokee is about the only game in town. All the others might be able to tow a offroad utility vehicle, jet ski, a couple of motorcycles, and maybe even a pop-up camper, but not a small camper. EDIT: After reviewing Jeep literature and seeing some examples on CarGurus, this is likely a Limited or perhaps Latitude Lux. The Overland trim has the script "Overland" logo stitched into the seat just below the headrest, whereas the model in this video simply has "Jeep" embroidered in.
Alex, can you review a 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk?
Hi Alex! Please, put the notes on the screen also on Nm, Kg and L (volume).
I was hoping Alex would've gone truly retro and uploaded "Cherokee Nation" by Paul Revere and The Raiders for the obligatory infotainment display screen at the 12:25 videomark.
I remember Mickey Dolenz of "The Monkees" pitching one of those greatest hits albums that were big in the late 60s and 70s. He was acting like an Indian preparing an ambush with a kiddie-sized bow and suction cup arrow when the commercial played a clip from "Cherokee Nation."
3:08 Alex bends the time space continuum for a car review
Would this in overland trim compete with a Land Rover Discovery Sport? Seems it could...
It probably could, or at least it would win the bang-for-the-buck. I saw an amazingly beautiful 2019 Cherokee Overland with white paint and saddle/baseball glove leather seats. I would have been on it in a New York second if it had come with the factory towing package; without that, a Cherokee can only tow 2,000 pounds. Even if you refit the Cherokee with the factory hitch, wiring harness, and install an aftermarket oil or transmission cooler, you still don't get the final drive ratio that comes with the factory package.
Ive been watching the ford because of the mechanical 4x4 and hybrid and i have a f150 to trade and ford made masks for us for the crisis . I dont much like how they look in pictures but ive been seeing them it person and they look much more substantial in size and the look is much better in person . I think i like them . I will wait till the small Broncos come out and will wait for the second year to see about reliability and so the prices come down . They are not listing the hybrids prices yet online .
I actually like the looks of the Escape, and something like the Escape, RAV4, Rogue, or the Cherokee are just the right size for me. However, when it comes to towing, there's really only one option out there: the Cherokee with the V-6 and the towing package. That's the only way you can get 4,500 pounds of towing capacity in a compact SUV.
Did the Honda CR-V grow in size and Toyota RAV4 get smaller? The graphic at the bottom @2:48 in this video is different from the video on the 2019 Jeep Cherokee First Drive Review.
Even though the cargo area is relatively small from a cubic feet perspective, it still holds 5 carry ons? I find that a better measure of real-world cargo volume than cubic feet.....
For someone like me who will rarely use the second row, the cargo capacity with those seats down is pretty good. The biggest thing for me is that the tow package with the Class III hitch gives it significantly better towing capability than anything else in the segment. To get more towing power, you have to move up to something like a Grand Cherokee, Durango, or Pathfinder. The Highlander barely beats the Cherokee (5,000 to 4,500), but that is a significantly larger vehicle.
I am totally convinced that the exterior design of the Escape is the most beautiful of all compact suvs, its defect is to be a Ford product. The Bronco will be as ugly as the last generation of rav4. Final Point .
Alex I love your review on the Cherokee and you're right it is a true off-road vehicle it is a shame FCA Chrysler has not come up with a true hybrid with something that has comparable mileage to the Toyota RAV4 why should someone like ME buy a Toyota RAV4 hybrid when you do want to go off-road like me I'm a wildlife photographer .
Great review!!! I just received a 2021 Cherokee Limited. I don't see any differences between the 2020 and the 2021. Have you found any?
so i might have missed oit, but did you mention the torque vectoring and the speed of which power can be shuffled wheel to wheel?
just for my own understanding when trying to find a good speed/cornering AWD/4WD system, i would like to know.
SH AWD (aka ivtm4) from Honda has best handling awd, because it's made to enhance cornering by spinning rear diagonal wheel faster...But clutch awds will overheat in crawl use...Interestingly trucks now days have both, locked 4x4 and 4x4 auto
Depends on the 4x4 system you get. Active Drive 1 has 4 modes:
Auto - can send up to 40% to the rear in an even split.
Snow - can send up to 40% to either rear wheel
Sport - can send up to 60% to the rear in an even split
Sand/Mud - can send up to 100% to the rear in an even split.
Active Drive 2 can do the same thing, with the additional 4WD Low functionality, and additional features like hill climb/descent and mechanical lockers.
For some reason the Cherokee has been withdrawn from sale in the UK. It hasn't been available for the last two years at least. This is peculiar because it competes an a very buoyant sales sector, directly against the LR Discovery Sport and Evoque and often the C-RV and Mazda CX5. Forget the V6 petrol, nobody buys that engine in the UK. The Honda twin-turbo diesel is an inersting competitor because it was available with the exact same ZF 9 speed auto but with Honda's mapping. Other strong rivals here are the Korean two with their models. You could also include the Jaguar E-Pace which also weighs about the same as the Jeep. Most also have a maximum tow weight of at least as much as the Jeep. The Honda and Disco Sport have 4400lbs tow or more.
I was under the impression that the Cherokee sales were doing OK and growing, but no longer.
On Jeep's Build a Cherokee website, they list two available 9 speed transmissions. Any possibility of you finding out which one was in your Cherokee?
They are matched to each engine option.
This one of the brand I'm interested for my next purchase until my colleague 1 year old Cherokee stalls while driving and we have to give him a ride to the dealership.
Why didn't you include Equinox/Terrain in the comparison? Real life customers are definitely shopping those too.
A missed opportunity to be sure. I crossed shopped them and the GM's have a much firmer ride, and the seats are a bit flatter and narrower. The rear legroom feels bigger in the GM's than the numbers let on though.
Have to admit that I'm pretty unfamiliar with the entire Jeep lineup. Serious "off roading" isn't a priority for me and that, of course, is the brand's claim to fame. I appreciate AWD/4WD capabilities here in the Pacific Northwest but mainly for our sometimes messy winters and driving TO a ski area or a trail head that calls for dirt or gravel roads not rock climbing or knee deep mud.
Further, while I don't need a third row of seats very frequently, a midsize 3 row SUV with more cargo space when the back row isn't in use is a big convenience. Jeep's only 3 row midsize SUV isn't a Jeep, at all. It's a Dodge Durango. And finally, where I live my experience with Jeep dealers has been uniformly terrible -- the typical "What can I do to get you to buy a car today?" hustle. Unfortunately, it's been the same with all FCA dealers in the area, experiences that have led me to avoid seriously considering the otherwise appealing Durango, as well.
With all that said, I find Alex' review of the (non-Grand) Cherokee to be interesting and for those who value a Jeep's traditional virtues but don't want to sacrifice those of a daily driver and road tripper in a compact SUV I can understand its appeal. No, it's not as "rugged" as its Wrangler stablemate. But the fact that it's a "compromise" is a strength, not a weakness. And the range of trims allows buyers to calibrate the extent of that compromise.
Unfortunately, the number of two row CUV/SUV models in the Jeep lineup and the multiple trims of the Cherokee doesn't seem to have been good news in terms of sales of the model. Cherokee sales dropped 20% in 2019 and in the first quarter of 2020 dropped another 32%. Of course sales of many vehicles are down in the face of COVID-19. Among compact SUV's only the RAV4 and the KIA Sportage improved their sales compared to the first quarter of 2019. (16% and 4% respectively). But the Cherokee suffered more than most, dropping from 7th to 9th place with both the Forester and the CX-5 surpassing it. It may be that the numerous trims of the Cherokee contributes to consumer confusion rather than recognition of a range of options.
Cherokee sales dropped because Grand Cherokee and Wrangler sales went through the roof as finance options became more lucrative and rebates increased dramatically to stimulate inventory movement. It paid off.
If you're not into off-roading, while the Cherokee's suspension produces a really comfortable ride, the performance and efficiency aspects of it aren't really worth getting over something like an Escape or Equinox which are more efficient, faster, and have more cargo.
Yea, so I have a 2019 Overland trim with the v6, let's talk about it...
It doesn't even get close to 22mpg combined. Best I can average is 20.5. (15.8gal @ 20.5mpg, filling up around a quarter tank is roughly 250miles per tank)
The FWD standard mode still drives like 4WD is locked in when you try to accelerate from a stop with the wheel in full lock. The vibrations are noticeable and quite annoying.
Trying to pass on the highway is a no-go. Period. To get it to move, you have to wind this sucker out at WOT. But it gives up around 4500RPM, and just sounds loud and whiny.
Any highway speeds above 70mph with the stock 19" wheels and those Bridgestone Dueler H/L tires makes it sound like you're getting a cavity drilled.
The traction control system cuts power on speed bumps after the rear tires come off them. You have to let it coast for about a second before applying throttle. This is a known issue with no fix.
Having said that, it can take a bump like a boss. The suspension feels more stable and compliant than even my wife's '17 Grand Cherokee.
If the previous model before the refresh's transmission was poorly programmed and shifted weird, it must have been a nightmare because this one is brain damaged. At least a second's worth of hesitation, it is constantly shifting on anything not completely flat terrain, (and I live in TN, so that's all it does), and 9th gear doesn't even hit on mine till 90mph. But it's so loud at that speed from wind and tire noise that I'd really rather not. If the 2020 model has resolved that, I may try to get that TCM programming in my 20,000 service along with getting the wheel turn vibration checked.
The interior is comfortable, but the steering wheel bottom sits approximately 2 inches from my crotch, and I'm 6'3" so the seat is backed up and as low as it can go, too. Granted, there is no steering wheel at all in my view of the road, and it's a nice view, but that is with it tilted as "high" as it will go.
The vented seats are nice. the AC is super strong, and cools off quickly. The window motors work well and fast. The infotainment works great, is snappy, and highly intuitive. Android Auto constantly disconnects, but I think it's a short in the USB plug in front of the shifter. It has a much taller and wider view out the back windows than most in the segment. The backup camera resolution looks like a first gen digital camera, on par with Mazda's. It handles night vision well though. The pano roof always stays open, the UV coat on it really cuts down on heat from the sun, and it really opens it up inside. The armrest on the console is already rattling at 16K miles.
The saddest part about this thing? NO AFTERMARKET FOR THE KL! You can't turn this thing into an even bigger off-road monster with steel bumpers, or any bumpers really. NO larger fuel tanks available, no real suspension kits that don't involve spacers which hurt ride quality, no aftermarket armor or rails for non-Trailhawk trims.
Also, on Jeep's website they are no longer offering the Overland Trim.
So, update to mine. I was able to take my Jeep in this week to have my concerns addressed, and it turns out that there were PCM and TCM software updates to brought mine up to the same shift and power mgmt logic of the 2020. It has actually had a significant impact on my daily drive. The howling noise is still present, but I blame the tires. The grinding/rubbing vibrations on turning lock have disappeared. Also, the transmission is actually much more aggressive on shifting. I haven't had a chance to take it over the speed bumps that trigger TCS to cut power, but I was told that the PCM update also addresses that.
However, range is still dismal. Still looking for someone who can fabricate a 19gal. tank.
ford beautiful side profile
Its now been just over 3 months since you originally posted this review ... curious as to whether FCA ever got back to you to confirm whether there have been any mechanical / software tweeks to the 2020 version of the 9 speed transmission ?
TFL had a Jeep project engineer on their video of their 2019 Cherokee, and while the engineer did not go into specifics, he did say they made both software and hardware changes.
Compromised
I owned a mazda cx-5 I sold it no power and not made for off road and bought a 2.0 turbo trailhawk needed a more off roady suv the only two small suv's that still have 4-low is the jeep and toyota 4 runner, the toyotas where expensive and get 18 mpg and interiors suck,love my trailhawk lots of power and is great off road.
And it gets 25-27 mpg
Obviously you bought something not for your lifestyle. The CX5 is not meant for off-road, as for no power, the 2.5 is just perfect for the size. I would rather take the 4Runner it will spend less time at the dealership and will last longer than that 2 litre turbo. The reason they are so expensive is they are stupidly reliable. Plain and simple.
@@kevinW826 My brother has a toyota 4-runner has had more problems than I have had with the jeep in the first 10,000 miles and where I live in Colorado going over passes over 11,000 feet the toyota has no power I pass him every time he says its gutless have to have a turbo at these elevations.
@@ericsawyer1463 Agree, forced air is a must at high elevation. With little exception there’s no way around it.
So the car pioneer this trend of separate headlights has decided to give it all up..
Alex, why not Subaru Forester and Outback for comparison? If you are comparing RAV4 and CRV, there has to be a Subaru included for a respectable comparison. Not for the first time, you have excluded this brand. Have they pissed you off somewhat pal?
Subaru has been getting real picky with who they're letting review their vehicles. He's not the first TH-camr I've seen that has stopped reviewing them. The Fast Lane guys flat out said they pissed off Subaru by knocking its CVT while trying to take it offroad up Gold Mine Hill and stalling it out. That was a couple years ago. With Alex being a part of the same AVA group as TFL, I'd say they're probably not going to be doing many Subaru videos going forward. The Outback XT being the exception because of the major change with the turbo being offered again.
Of course, he may also just be coming from a pure numbers perspective. There are tons of RAV4s, CR-Vs, and Jeep Cherokees sold. Not so many Foresters.
@@andrewclary872 The Fast Lane Car was from them taking it up The Cliffhanger in 2015, not Goldmine Hill. The Subaru they took on Goldmine Hill was one they purchased. Funny story about The Cliffhanger, the Subaru was the only crossover they took up it.
I like it.
steering is funny-but normal for electric steering so says maint.manager,however my 2015 had electric and it steered well-thats the problem you may encounter at dealerships-maint follow up is a blowoff.
does it still consumes large amounts of oil? never seen a car going thru quarts of oil like these jeeps, value your money if you planning on buying one of these
While rear turn signal color is not something that I really concern myself with, I do prefer the red turn signals over amber.
I hate cars that integrated the turn signal into the brake light too!
Fun
Can you manually shift the trans into 9th gear at normal highway speeds of around 65 mph?
I own a 2020. You can, but the gear ratio is so high at that speed that you will actually slow down. In my experience 9th is only useful over 80 mph.
@@JamesStiling True. Alex did another video in 2015 specifically about the ZF 9-speed, since that was in use in Chrysler/Jeep, Honda, and Land Rover. He mentioned that the 9th gear was aimed at the European market for your typical Autobahn driver (not surprisingly, the ZF is made in Germany). About the only places in America where you can legally stretch your car's legs past 80 are in Montana and eastern Colorado. In many places, you might even have difficulty getting into 8th gear if the Interstate is jammed or your state has lower speed limits (cough, Oregon, cough).
@@JBM425 so true. Most of the time I’m in 7th at 75mph. Oh well
If I were Jeep I replace this Cherokee with current Grand a Cherokee and name it the classic, and then replace current Grand Cherokee with new design. Jeep should retire this Fiat.
I like the idea. I don't like the reliability record on these. I assume with FCA's record, we won't see much improvement.
Who are all these people off roading these crossovers?
A car for simps who hope that a cheating Karen will bang them for thinking they are an "adventurer".
No one. They just want the Jeep name which has been watered down so much by FCA. The Jeep Renegade is just a Fiat 500X. They ride on the same platform. The Wrangler is the last true Jeep.
@@Jaymac720 The Grand Cherokee and Gladiator too!
For me it's piece of mind that if I need to get out of a situation...I can go over curbs or whatever with ease and keep going over any terrain. My jeep is ready to go if I need it to.
@@ThatGuyJunJun A Mazda CX-5 can do that too LOL
Weighs as much as a charger
While the video is full of good information, I find it one of your most confusing in regards to comparison with other vehicles.
All these comments about fca reliability and I bet NONE of these people watched Alex's video on reliability.
A rav4 has more combined legroom than a grand cherokee?!
9:29
Combined Legroom
78.9 G. Cherokee
78.8 RAV 4
@@fcex558 thanks I'll go back to kindergarten now.
The RAV4 is approximately the same size as a Grand Cherokee. The Highlander is about the same size as a Durango.
Worst POS I have ever owned and after that ridiculous swindle will never own another FCA product.
The transmission was the worst ever and it could not drive on the beach without the 4WD overheating every time. Could not pull a trailer without a severe shaking problem. Warranty was replaced with "Operating as designed" phrase so it never got fixed.
Nice hands lol😊
Fca reliability is horrendous.
As a rental car it’s a great choice but owning one yeah I don’t think so.
I rented a Grand Cherokee for a week in October 2020, and it was a great vehicle, albeit too big for me as a daily driver (I am the only occupant 90% of the time). But I've heard what you have said about long-term durability elsewhere, so it does give me pause. As long as it doesn't have a CVT like the Nissan Pathfinder and Murano, or the water pump issues in the Ford Duratec engines and some Chevy engines (why they design a water pump to be internal, and run off the timing chain borders on malfeasance), I at least want to give the Cherokee a long, hard look.
Stay away from FCA, just buy a Rav4 or CRV.
I'm Stuff yeah get that RAV4 with that week noisy 4 banger or the CRV with that horrible cvt and oil leaking in your fuel. Makes since to me.
Victor Giancola that weak and noisy four banger will outlast these turbo turds by miles. Honda screwed themselves, FCA, no thanks. Cant willingly put money into an FCA product.
The RAV4 is the best in the segment by far. The engine is very powerful and gets ridiculously good mpg. The hybrid and prime model are even better. This Cherokee is basically a FIAT.
Too bad Jeeps are for small short people.
My father's Cherokee's panoramic sunroof kept on breaking.
All will eventually leak.
I hate sunroofs and wish I didn't have to accept a sunroof on most makes & models that bundle a sunroof/moonroof in order to get other goodies.
The New escape looks like the old Rav 4 from the side.
This car is a dream to drive, just get the extended warranty.
Tis car is also unreliable. Expect to have it in the shop often.
Bad reliability! My dad in law has this car.
Did they but it or lease it?
Come on my fellow Americans.. Why waste money on this fwd biased vehicle with a JEEP badge on it
Maybe sale numbers made them do just bit better crossovers, i wish they would have modern continuation of Cherokee XJ keeping solid axles, kind of like bigger better equipped more expansive Jimny...At least they do have little extra stuff which segment doesn't have, even Renegade has the extra center locker which keeps it locked even while sitting still, although it is still automatic it works nicely
@@tallll70 agreed
I’m sorry copied from JEEP … you need to research your information more … Hyundai made it first with the Santa Fe
If I was shopping in this segment I would see barely any reason to buy this over a Rav-4, CR-V, Tucson, the new Rogue... the list continues.
Full mechanical gear shifting vs CVT would be #1 reason in my book.
I test drove all of them before I bought my Cherokee and I liked the the solid feel and ride quality. The others felt like tin cans. I also got mine with the 2.0 turbo and the others can’t compare when it comes to performance.
Ride quality excellent suspension proper transmission and off road goodies. I don't find compelling reasons to buy the other ones.
Here's one significant reason: towing. None of the others can match the Cherokee for towing. With the tow package, the Cherokee can pull up to 4,500 pounds. The closest the competition can come is the RAV4 in Adventure trim, which can tow 3,000 pounds (other trims can only do 1,500 pounds with the 4-cyl and 1,750 with the hybrid).
Thanks for the another great review.
Ah... so many American cars are so ugly 🤮
I'd say lease but the lease offers are a joke. Escape front end is a feminized mess. Side profile is a CX-5 copy. Rear looks like a jeep.
#43isacrybaby Boycott Nascar