Jeep Cherokee (KL)
The KL revived the Cherokee name for 2014 after the Liberty, and was the first Jeep on Fiat-derived Compact U.S. Wide architecture. It launched with the first nine-speed automatic in a production vehicle, a rear axle that disconnects when 4x4 isn't needed, and three 4x4 systems, topped by the Trail Rated Trailhawk with a locking rear differential. Early transmission software problems delayed its launch and drew complaints about shift quality. A 2019 refresh brought conventional LED headlamps and a 270 hp 2.0 L turbo, production moved from Toledo to Belvidere in 2017, and the line ended in early 2023.
Engines
| Engine | Power | Torque | Fuel | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L Tigershark MultiAir2 I4 Jeep quotes 184 hp to 2018 and 180 hp (170 or 171 lb-ft) from 2019. Dropped in the US for 2022, then the only engine of the 2023 Altitude Lux. |
184 hp (137 kW) | 171 lb-ft (232 N·m) | Gasoline | 2014 to 2021, and 2023 |
| 3.2 L Pentastar V6 Engine stop-start standard from 2015. European rating 272 hp and 315 Nm. |
271 hp (202 kW) | 239 lb-ft (324 N·m) | Gasoline | 2014 to 2022 |
| 2.0 L Hurricane turbo I4 Standard on the 2023 Trailhawk. |
270 hp (201 kW) | 295 lb-ft (400 N·m) | Gasoline | 2019 to 2023 |
| 2.0 L MultiJet II turbodiesel I4 Offered at 170 hp with the nine-speed automatic and 140 hp with a six-speed manual, both 350 Nm. |
170 hp (127 kW) | 258 lb-ft (350 N·m) | Diesel | 2014 on (Europe) |
| 2.2 L MultiJet II turbodiesel I4 Introduced at the 2016 Geneva show; Wikipedia lists 185 or 200 PS and 440 Nm (not cross-checked). |
— | — | Diesel | 2016 on (Europe) |
Transmissions
- 9-speed automatic (ZF 948TE) (2014 to 2023)
- 6-speed manual (2014 on (Europe, 140 hp diesel))
Sizes and weights
| Measure | Size |
|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in2,700 mm |
| Length | 182 in4,623 mm |
| Width | 73.2–74.9 in1,859–1,902 mm |
| Height | 66.2–67.8 in1,681–1,722 mm |
| Ground clearance | 8.7 in221 mm |
| Curb weight | 3,655–4,046 lb1,658–1,835 kg |
| Towing (most) | 2,000–4,500 lb907–2,041 kg |
A range covers the body styles and trims of this generation.
Trims and editions
- Sport
- Latitude
- Latitude Plus
- Latitude Lux
- Altitude
- Altitude Lux
- Limited
- High Altitude
- Overland
- Trailhawk
- X
- Longitude (Europe)
- 75th Anniversary
- 80th Anniversary
Worth knowing
- Its ZF 948TE was the first nine-speed automatic in a production vehicle.
- Introduced a rear-axle disconnect that Jeep called an industry first.
- Best-in-class V6 towing of 4,500 lb, and crawl ratios of up to 56:1 with the 2.4 L.
- Toledo built nearly 950,000 Cherokees from June 2013 until the line moved to Belvidere in 2017.
- Named 2014 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year by AJAC.
Year by year, newest first
- Final year, cut to two 4x4 models: the new Altitude Lux with the 2.4 L and the Trailhawk with the 2.0 L turbo.
- Production at Belvidere ended in February 2023.
- Lineup simplified to Latitude Lux, X, Trailhawk, and Limited.
- The new X had a 1-inch lift, rugged trim, and the V6 as standard.
- Uconnect 4C with an 8.4-inch screen became standard on every trim.
- Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, full-speed forward collision warning, and lane-keep assist became standard.
- New Latitude Lux trim and an 80th Anniversary edition; the Overland was dropped.
- An Advanced Safety Group became available on more trims, and Uconnect gained an Amazon Alexa skill.
- New Sangria and Spitfire Orange paint.
- Refresh unveiled at the January 2018 Detroit show: new front end with LED headlamps, an aluminum hood, and a lighter composite hands-free liftgate.
- A new 270 hp 2.0 L turbo joined the range, and cargo space grew.
- Built at Belvidere, Illinois.
- Trims realigned, with more standard equipment on the Latitude and a new Latitude Plus.
- A Tech Connect package was added for the Latitude.
- Trailhawk gained heated and ventilated Nappa leather seats, a power liftgate, and remote start as standard.
- HID headlamps became standard on all but the Sport; Altitude and High Altitude editions.
- Production moved from Toledo to Belvidere in June 2017.
- A luxury Overland model joined the range in spring 2016 from $34,695.
- 75th Anniversary Edition based on the Latitude; the V6 became available on the Sport.
- Chinese production began at Changsha in October 2015.
- Engine stop-start became standard with the V6.
- Forward Collision Warning Plus could now bring the car to a stop, and a SafetyTec option group added blind-spot monitoring.
- The Trailhawk was named Four Wheeler of the Year by Four Wheeler magazine.
- All-new Cherokee shown at the 2013 New York show, built in Toledo from June 2013 and priced from $22,995.
- Launched with a 184 hp 2.4 L or 271 hp 3.2 L V6, both with a nine-speed automatic, in Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk trims.
- Sales started late in 2013 after transmission software problems delayed shipments; Europe got 2.0 L diesels from spring 2014.
Notes
Trims: Jeep's 2018 fact sheet calls Latitude the new base trim for 2018, while Wikipedia says Sport ran to 2018 and was replaced by Latitude for 2019. V6 on the Sport: Wikipedia says 2015, Jeep's 2016 and 2017 releases each say 'now available'. Crawl ratio: 56:1 in releases to 2020, 51:1 from 2021. 2.4 L output: 184 hp (2014 to 2018 releases) versus 180 hp (2019 and 2023 releases). Towing: 4,500 lb (V6); the 2023 release gives 4,000 lb with no V6. Wheelbase: Wikipedia 106.3 in, Cars.com rounds to 107 in. Ground clearance of 8.7 in is the Trailhawk; the Overland 4x4 is 8.2 in, and other trims were not confirmed. Fuel tank: Cars.com lists about 16 gal (rounded), not confirmed further. Recalls: in July 2015 FCA recalled 1.4 million vehicles after researchers remotely took control of a 2014 Cherokee (Wikipedia).
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Jeep_Cherokee_(KL)
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- cars.com /research/jeep-cherokee-2020/specs/