Well, this is the first for a Jeep.

AW9

Crazy

Wait, this thing has TEN airbags!? If it rolls it's gonna sound like a popcorn maker.

I can't wait to see this parked over the lines at a grocery store near you!

I hear they stopped trying to time it after it broke a mile 😂

Have fun merging on the interstate

hahahaha

Not yet, the KL is the first vehicle with that transmission. The plan is for it to eventually make its way into just about every FWD Chrysler Group LLC vehicle.

the haters and naysayers might be surprised at the performance gain had by the 6+ speed trans commonly found in today's vehicles. not to say I'd buy one, but that's the only way to offer mpg and any kind of towing capability/low end performance: the best tq available - gear reduction.

I drove one and it didn't feel right and my fellow coworkers (some Jeep owners) were extremely disgusted with the front end. Also, plenty of "This thing is so ugly, it almost makes the Aztec look good." All in all, I wouldn't even take a free one. Seems awkward to drive and look at and the shifting and electronics seemed kinda buggy.

To hyper.hip, if you're still listening:

With such a rich history in utilitarian Jeep vehicles, why do you want to purchase a 2014 Jeep KL? What do you like about it? Compared to your list, anything made within the last couple of years is going to be "like setting in your living room with the TV off at 80 miles per hour". Honest question, I'm not going to flame you. Is it the appearance? Why not a Grand Cherokee, a crossover from another brand (Subaru I think was mentioned), or even a truck or sedan?

Answer-wise:

I'd avoid the smaller engine. The 9000-speed transmission should be able to shift properly for fuel economy to keep the engine comfortable in it's power band. You put a smaller engine in there and it's just going to have to work harder, regardless of gearing. I'm not sure on the practical fuel economy hit (other vehicles actually do worse with smaller engines in real life) but it'll certainly be lower performing. Frequently the smaller option uses just more gas anyway.

Also, and this applies to pretty much EVERY vehicle ever made, I'd stay the hell away from the first model year. Chrysler has already had to hold back the KL's launch due to critical problems with the transmission programming. What other problems are going to pop up in the next year? At 60 years old I might guess you're a empty nester that wants to have some fun as an early adopter, but where's the fun if it's going to be in the shop every month for warranty work? Again, same applies to every vehicle out there, and Chrysler ALREADY has a bad track record with this one. IMHO the third model year is a reasonable time to start looking.

^ What he said.

I agree, buying a first year vehicle sounds scary. If something goes wrong you might not be able to fix it in your driveway like you can with an XJ.

Working at a dealer I would never buy a first production year vehicle. There are always bugs that need to be worked out. But I have driven a few of them and definitely prefer the 3.2. They do drive pretty nice. Interior is pretty decent. If I didn't have to look at the outside I would drive one. I think they are going to be good sellers. My dealer has only gotten in 5 in the last week or so and 3 have already sold. The trailhawk edition one sold today right after it came off the truck.