Jeep Cherokee (KL) Guides, Photos and Videos

The Jeep Cherokee (KL) is a compactcrossover SUV manufactured and marketed by the Jeep subdivision of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Introduced for model year 2014 at the 2013 New York International Auto Show, sales began in November 2013.

The Cherokee is the first Jeep vehicle to use the Fiat Compact/Compact Wide platform, co-developed by Chrysler and Fiat. The Jeep Cherokee is built at Belvidere Assembly Plant in Belvidere, Illinois.

The Cherokee was first previewed by Jeep in February 2013, shortly after the brand released three newly designed versions of its popular vehicles, the Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot, and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Jeep announced that the all-new vehicle would be named the Cherokee, and also that the new vehicle would make its official debut at the New York International Auto Show in March 2013. The Cherokee's official debut was made on Wednesday, March 27, 2013.

Jeep adopted the Cherokee name worldwide. The North American market saw the Cherokee nameplate for the first time since the 2001 departure of the Jeep Cherokee (XJ). Other markets retained the Cherokee name with the introduction of the Jeep Liberty in the North American markets.

The all-new Cherokee's wheelbase is 106 inches (2,692 mm), 1.1 inches (28 mm) longer than the 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 5.1 inches (130 mm) longer than its predecessor, the Jeep Cherokee XJ, and 2.7 inches (69 mm) shorter than the original Jeep Cherokee (SJ).

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. The rear axle disconnect feature, a first for Compact SUV, disconnects the rear-axle when four-wheel drive is not needed. This lowers parasitic drivetrain load; which improves fuel efficiency.

Upon introduction the Cherokee is available in four trim levels:

The Sport serves as the base model. It includes seventeen-inch steel wheels, the Uconnect 5.0 touch screen radio, six speakers, cloth seating surfaces, a 2.4L Tigershark I4 engine, nine-speed ZF automatic transmission, and more. It comes in both 4x2 and 4x4. In 2015, the 3.2L Pentastar V6 also became available on this model. Seventeen-inch alloy wheels are available as part of the Sport Appearance Package. The Sport was replaced with the Latitude starting in 2019.

The Latitude adds alloy wheels and body-colored door handles and side view mirrors. It comes in both 4x2 and 4x4. In Canada, the model is dubbed North 4x2 or North 4x4. The "Latitude" comes with the 8.4" Uconnect and premium sound option as standard, whereas on the "North" it is an optional upgrade. There is an Altitude model that was introduced in spring 2014 that is based on the Latitude model and adds black alloy wheels and blacked-out accents. The Latitude model will be Jeep's volume seller of the Cherokee line. The Latitude became the new base model Cherokee in 2019, replacing the Sport, and a new Latitude Plus trim was introduced to take the place of the old Latitude model.

The Trailhawk adds dark-colored alloy wheels, the Uconnect 8.4A touch screen radio with 9-1-1 emergency assistance, roadside assistance, and support for apps. It comes in 4x4 model only, is Trail Rated®, and is a far more off-road capable model. Trailhawk is the only trim to include recovery hooks for towing a stuck vehicle and a mechanical rear locker. Both Trailhawk L and Trailhawk Elite models became available starting in 2017, adding uplevel features to the base Trailhawk model.

The Limited serves as the top-of-the-line model, and adds bright-finished alloy wheels, and leather seating surfaces. It comes in both 4x2 and 4x4. It also adds the U Connect ACCESS 8.4A touch-screen infotainment system, heated dual front seats, and Keyless Go with push-button and remote starter systems.

The Altitude Edition is based on the midlevel Latitude model, and adds features to the model such as gloss black eighteen-inch alloy wheels, a black lower front fascia accent, gloss black grille surrounds, gloss black roof rails, gloss black exterior badges, black window surround moldings, and an all-black leather interior. Also included is Chrysler's award-winning U Connect ACCESS 8.4A radio, with an A/M-F/M stereo, SIRIUS-XM Satellite Radio, an optional single-disc player (mounted in the center console), iPod and USB input jacks, a 3.5-millimeter auxiliary audio input jack, U Connect ACCESS W/ hands-free calling, 9-1-1 Assist, Wi-Fi connectivity for wireless internet access in the vehicle, wireless audio streaming, voice command, a full color touch-screen display, optional Garmin GPS navigation, and more. The model became available in 2015, and has a base price of $25,495.00 MSRP, up only $600.00 MSRP from the Latitude model it is based on, and is only available in Granite Crystal Metallic, Billet Silver Metallic, Bright White Clear Coat, or Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat Metallic, all of which compliment the gloss black exterior accents.

All trim levels include the 2.4L Tigershark I4 engine, and all also offer the optional 3.2L Pentastar V6 engine, with either 4X2 or 4X4 available on Sport, Latitude, and Limited models, and the Trailhawk model having standard 4X4. The Active Drive II 4X4 system with off-road suspension is optional on all models other than the base Sport model, though the Trailhawk model has the Active Drive II 4X4 system with off-road suspension as standard equipment. All models have a ZF-developed nine-speed automatic transmission, the first of its kind to be installed into a production vehicle.

Models equipped with factory towing feature 3.517:1 final drive ratio (V6) or 4.048:1 (I4) and can tow up to 4500lb (US market). Models not equipped with factory towing have 3.251:1 (V6) or 3.734:1 (I4) and are limited to a 2000lb tow capacity (US market).

In January 2016, Jeep announced the Cherokee Overland, which will now serve as the top-of-the-line, and most luxurious, Cherokee trim level in the United States. It will add these features in addition to the previously top-of-the-line Limited trim level:

-Exterior Color-Keyed Front and Rear Fascias with Chrome Accents-Exterior Color-Keyed Front and Rear Wheel Wells -Eighteen-Inch (18") Fully-Polished Alloy Wheels-U Connect ACCESS 8.4AN Infotainment System (A/M-F/M HD Radio, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, U Connect ACCESS Services and 9-1-1 Emergency Calling, Mobile App Support, ParkView Rear-View Backup Camera, Full Color Touch-Screen Display (8.4"), Garmin-Based GPS Navigation, iPod/USB Ports, 3.5-Millimeter Auxiliary Audio Input Jack, MicroSD Card Slot, and Bluetooth for Hands-Free Calling and A2DP Wireless Stereo Audio Streaming)-Nine-Speaker 506-Watt Alpine Premium Sound System with External Amplifier, Rear-Mounted Subwoofer, Surround-Sound, and Graphical Equalizer-Heated and Ventilated "Nappa"/"Axis II" Leather-Trimmed Perforated Seating Surfaces -Leather-and-Wood-Trimmed Heated Steering Wheel

The Overland will offer either the 184-horsepower 2.4L Tigershark Inline Four-Cylinder (I4) engine, or the 271-horsepower 3.2L Pentastar V6 engine with Stop-and-Go Technology, as well as Two-Wheel-Drive or Four-Wheel-Drive (Four-Wheel-Drive with Jeep's "Active-Drive II" transfer case). Exterior colors are Billet Silver Metallic, Light Brownstone Metallic, Bright White Clear Coat, Deep Cherry Red Metallic, and Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat Metallic. Interior colors are either Black or Pearl. Two-Wheel-Drive models start at $34,695.00 MSRP, while Four-Wheel-Drive models start at $38,395.00 MSRP. The models will become available in Spring, 2016.

In addition, a 75th Anniversary Edition model made its debut in January, 2016 to celebrate Jeep's 75th Anniversary. Based on the Latitude trim level of the Cherokee, exclusive features include a Recon Green Metallic exterior paint color option, unique 75th Anniversary Edition exterior emblems, bronze-painted exterior accents, bronze-painted eighteen-inch (18") alloy wheels, premium cloth seating surfaces with "Ombre" mesh inserts and 75th Anniversary Edition embroidery, and bronze-accented interior trim. The U Connect ACCESS 8.4A infotainment system, as well as a full panoramic power moonroof are both standard on this model, as is deep-tinted glass and automatic front head and fog lamps. The trim level starts at $27,875.00 MSRP, and will be available in Spring, 2016

In June 2013, Jeep announced the pricing on the all-new Cherokee. The base Sport FWD model will start at $22,995 MSRP. The Latitude FWD model will start at $24,495 MSRP. The Trailhawk 4x4 model will start at $29,495, and the top-of-the-line Limited FWD model will start at $27,995 MSRP.

The all-new Cherokee began production in the spring of 2013, but Jeep has pushed back the release date of the Cherokee to allow time for the development of the nine-speed automatic transmission by ZF. The all-new Cherokee arrived at dealerships in mid-fall 2013.

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