The KL Cherokee. Love it or Loathe it?
#151
#152
New KL owner
Hey Kids,
My wife had a 2002 XJ and she loved that thing. If not for getting t-boned, she'd still have it. She never did any offroading at all but she loved the versatility of it and it's reliable straight 6. Well that happened 6 years ago and she hasn't been back in a Jeep since. She doesn't care for the new KL's look and size and ended up going with a Honda Pilot, which she loves as well.
As for me, I had been jonesing for a JKU (Wrangler Unlimited) for about 10 years. Because of the cost I was unable to get one. I was always curious about the KL so I began researching it a number of years ago and I thought it was pretty neat. Then I discovered the Trailhawk. Then I saw YouTube videos of what they were doing with it (Moab Hell's Revenge!!) and then I thought, this thing is awesome.
Long story short, it was time that I replaced my aging Ford Ranger pickup and my options were Grand Cherokee Laredo, Wranger Unlimted Sport soft top or Honda Pilot. Not really happy with those options, I looked at the Trailhawk and fell in love with it and it is now in my driveway. Couldn't be happier with it and I look forward to accessorizing it with racks and lights and some bigger tires.
Really research the KL before you judge it because it's not LIKE the XJ. It's a Jeep and that's all that matters.
TK
My wife had a 2002 XJ and she loved that thing. If not for getting t-boned, she'd still have it. She never did any offroading at all but she loved the versatility of it and it's reliable straight 6. Well that happened 6 years ago and she hasn't been back in a Jeep since. She doesn't care for the new KL's look and size and ended up going with a Honda Pilot, which she loves as well.
As for me, I had been jonesing for a JKU (Wrangler Unlimited) for about 10 years. Because of the cost I was unable to get one. I was always curious about the KL so I began researching it a number of years ago and I thought it was pretty neat. Then I discovered the Trailhawk. Then I saw YouTube videos of what they were doing with it (Moab Hell's Revenge!!) and then I thought, this thing is awesome.
Long story short, it was time that I replaced my aging Ford Ranger pickup and my options were Grand Cherokee Laredo, Wranger Unlimted Sport soft top or Honda Pilot. Not really happy with those options, I looked at the Trailhawk and fell in love with it and it is now in my driveway. Couldn't be happier with it and I look forward to accessorizing it with racks and lights and some bigger tires.
Really research the KL before you judge it because it's not LIKE the XJ. It's a Jeep and that's all that matters.
TK
#153
I have had my 2016 for about a year now. It is the 6cyl trailhawk. So far I have to say that it is great overall! Wish it was a little bit bigger (should of got the grand Cherokee) and had a little better gas mileage.
#154
I pick up my KL Trailhawk tonight after they have it ready at the shop. I traded my JKU in one because I have been on the road a lot more due to kids' activities and needed something that still had off-road capabilities but was much easier on the wallet at the gas pump. I have also had an XJ and WK. I really miss my XJ and sure I will miss my JKU, but I am looking forward to doing some of the same mods, such as the lift kit, winch and lights that I did on my XJ and JKU. I know the KL doesn't look quite like the other Jeeps but I find it appealing for what it is. I am sure I will eventually go back to the Wrangler (JL?) once they have the diesel engine worked out. For now I look forward to experiencing the KL and will post the mods I do when I find time to do them.
#155
No, I don't lick fish.
#156
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
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Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I pick up my KL Trailhawk tonight after they have it ready at the shop. I traded my JKU in one because I have been on the road a lot more due to kids' activities and needed something that still had off-road capabilities but was much easier on the wallet at the gas pump. I have also had an XJ and WK. I really miss my XJ and sure I will miss my JKU, but I am looking forward to doing some of the same mods, such as the lift kit, winch and lights that I did on my XJ and JKU. I know the KL doesn't look quite like the other Jeeps but I find it appealing for what it is. I am sure I will eventually go back to the Wrangler (JL?) once they have the diesel engine worked out. For now I look forward to experiencing the KL and will post the mods I do when I find time to do them.
#157
I've now had my Trailhawk for over a month and have had a chance to get to know it a little bit. Overall, I'll give it a 9 out of ten. I miss my wrangler JK (ground clearance, room, top comes off). but overall this is a more appropriate vehicle for me.
The one thing I'm not fond of is the 9 speed transmission. It seems fine at normal city or highway but if I have to stomp on it, I never can quite predict what will happen. Downshift, hesitate, etc. Not a fan.
The one thing I'm not fond of is the 9 speed transmission. It seems fine at normal city or highway but if I have to stomp on it, I never can quite predict what will happen. Downshift, hesitate, etc. Not a fan.
#158
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 80
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3 Posts
Year: 2019
Model: Cherokee (KL)
Engine: v6
I have a '19 with the V6.
If I have to pass on the highway when in AUTO it downshifts enough and goes fast.
Seems strange to be under 2000 rpm going up hills.
SPORT mode is ok but it seems to always be at too high RPM.
I didn't play with the manual shift yet but I think if I slap it into manual and it starts off in the same gear the auto was in I will have the RPM control I am used to in MT cars I had.
Any comments on how the manual shift is working?
I went to an off road obstacle course last week. It was for Wranglers but other Jeeps could come too.
There were mostly wranglers but there were a few Cherokees. About 4. two were Cherokee trail hawks. One was a Grand Cherokee trail hawk. Mine is a Cherokee Latitude Plus.
I didn't need the low range. There was lots of mud. The mud and sand mode worked fine. There was one part with logs in water that the Cherokees could not do because of clearance.
The Cherokees did better than the Wranglers in the rest of it because the Wranglers don't have any computer help.. I avoided the part with the logs and got stuck in the mud. They told me they would get me out. I got myself out by rocking the car, backing out of the mud and then going forward slowly, keeping the gas steady and letting the computer do the work. They told me I impressed a lot of people and showed them what the car could do. I was on street tires not the knobby kind the Wrangles have.
The computers in the new cars is the reason. The trailhawks didn't do anything I couldn't do in my Latitude Plus with the V6, but I know they have more off road abilities.
update: I tried the manual shift. It works just fine and gives control as needed on twisty roads. I only shift into and out of it when the car is not moving because it makes a noticeable clunk when you shift while moving. All you have to do is decide on what RPM range is needed for the driving conditions just as you would with any MT.
If I have to pass on the highway when in AUTO it downshifts enough and goes fast.
Seems strange to be under 2000 rpm going up hills.
SPORT mode is ok but it seems to always be at too high RPM.
I didn't play with the manual shift yet but I think if I slap it into manual and it starts off in the same gear the auto was in I will have the RPM control I am used to in MT cars I had.
Any comments on how the manual shift is working?
I went to an off road obstacle course last week. It was for Wranglers but other Jeeps could come too.
There were mostly wranglers but there were a few Cherokees. About 4. two were Cherokee trail hawks. One was a Grand Cherokee trail hawk. Mine is a Cherokee Latitude Plus.
I didn't need the low range. There was lots of mud. The mud and sand mode worked fine. There was one part with logs in water that the Cherokees could not do because of clearance.
The Cherokees did better than the Wranglers in the rest of it because the Wranglers don't have any computer help.. I avoided the part with the logs and got stuck in the mud. They told me they would get me out. I got myself out by rocking the car, backing out of the mud and then going forward slowly, keeping the gas steady and letting the computer do the work. They told me I impressed a lot of people and showed them what the car could do. I was on street tires not the knobby kind the Wrangles have.
The computers in the new cars is the reason. The trailhawks didn't do anything I couldn't do in my Latitude Plus with the V6, but I know they have more off road abilities.
update: I tried the manual shift. It works just fine and gives control as needed on twisty roads. I only shift into and out of it when the car is not moving because it makes a noticeable clunk when you shift while moving. All you have to do is decide on what RPM range is needed for the driving conditions just as you would with any MT.
Last edited by travistee; 06-17-2019 at 09:39 AM. Reason: manual trans option
#159
Newbie
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Poland
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Model: Cherokee (KL)
Engine: 3,2v6
Hello all. A bit from another continent. I bought a Jeep Cherokee Trailhawke 3.2 v6 and my problems started. I've never had as many problems with my car as with THIS. SWC4WD. I have uploaded all the software updates> Some time it was temporarily unavailable WD and today the SVC4WD lamp came on.This is not the first time.You write about 4x4 drive and I write 2WD. Earlier I had a Jeep Cherokee Liberty and it worked great! What happened to Jeep ?! Servis Jeep z którego korzystam nie radzi sobie zupełnie.
#160
Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: AZ
Posts: 218
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Year: 2019
Model: Cherokee (KL)
Engine: 2.0T
What year is your KL? Was the Jeep originally sold in Poland? When was the battery last replaced? These new vehicles are very sensitive to battery voltage, most AGM batteries only last 2-3 years before they need to be replaced, otherwise various errors occur. You must use the correct battery, generic ones do not last.
.
.
#161
Newbie
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 3
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Model: Cherokee (KL)
Engine: 3.2L V-6
My new car...
Thank you for letting me know that my 2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 4 x 4 3.2L V-6 is a KL. My son has a 2013 Jeep Rubicon JK and we have modded that a little bit.
I am enjoying this car as a daily driver and I like that I am getting 4-5 mpg better than my Acura TL (~22mpg).
I have installed the factory hitch and wiring and will be towing some small boats as soon as I figure out how to stiffen up my rear end. I have taken this car on a road trip and with 4 people and gear it seemed a little squatty.
Love all of the electronic gismos but, I do not have adaptive cruise control.
I don't know if anyone *****ed about the roof antenna. The PO must have run it through to many car washes. It took a little bit of work to get the remains out.
I am enjoying this car as a daily driver and I like that I am getting 4-5 mpg better than my Acura TL (~22mpg).
I have installed the factory hitch and wiring and will be towing some small boats as soon as I figure out how to stiffen up my rear end. I have taken this car on a road trip and with 4 people and gear it seemed a little squatty.
Love all of the electronic gismos but, I do not have adaptive cruise control.
I don't know if anyone *****ed about the roof antenna. The PO must have run it through to many car washes. It took a little bit of work to get the remains out.
#162
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
Posts: 43,875
Received 1,526 Likes
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1,238 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Thank you for letting me know that my 2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 4 x 4 3.2L V-6 is a KL. My son has a 2013 Jeep Rubicon JK and we have modded that a little bit.
I am enjoying this car as a daily driver and I like that I am getting 4-5 mpg better than my Acura TL (~22mpg).
I have installed the factory hitch and wiring and will be towing some small boats as soon as I figure out how to stiffen up my rear end. I have taken this car on a road trip and with 4 people and gear it seemed a little squatty.
Love all of the electronic gismos but, I do not have adaptive cruise control.
I don't know if anyone *****ed about the roof antenna. The PO must have run it through to many car washes. It took a little bit of work to get the remains out.
I am enjoying this car as a daily driver and I like that I am getting 4-5 mpg better than my Acura TL (~22mpg).
I have installed the factory hitch and wiring and will be towing some small boats as soon as I figure out how to stiffen up my rear end. I have taken this car on a road trip and with 4 people and gear it seemed a little squatty.
Love all of the electronic gismos but, I do not have adaptive cruise control.
I don't know if anyone *****ed about the roof antenna. The PO must have run it through to many car washes. It took a little bit of work to get the remains out.
Welcome!!!!
#163
Newbie
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Windham, NY
Posts: 2
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Year: 2014
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
I love mine EXCEPT that its lights turned on and off several time last night for at least 30 minutes. Is this something you have heard about?
I have googled and the lights going on doesnt seem rare on Jeeps - all brands it seems?
I have googled and the lights going on doesnt seem rare on Jeeps - all brands it seems?
#164
Newbie
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Illinois
Posts: 10
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Year: 2014
Model: Cherokee (KL)
Engine: 3.2
108,000 miles on my 2014 Latitude. 3.2 AD1. Not a lot of off roading, just farm fields and fire roads. 80 miles a day commute to Chicago, round trip. LOVE my KL.
#165
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
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Received 1,526 Likes
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Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0