The KL Cherokee. Love it or Loathe it?
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Philly, PA
Year: 2014
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2.4 L
You won't get any bashing from this KL owner. Our first Jeep was an XJ, and it has always been one of my favorites long before we bought it.
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,578
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 242
Likes: 1
From: Dayton, Ohio
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
I have a question for those who own/driven one. I've sat in one at the local dealership but not test driven (I just can't stand car salesman...) , buy the time I had the seat far enough back to be comfortable (I'm 6') it seemed to have lousy forward visibility. The dash seems way to long but I was curious if it's just maybe I didn't play with the thing enough or if it's something you get used to as you drive. I'm finally in a position to make car payments again (not sure if I really want to or not...) and the KL is growing on me.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
trailhawk bashing
Hi all im new here and have been reading and I just wanted to say this... my first jeep was a patriot. . I got it for the gas mileage and true it was not a true off roader BUT I loved that jeep a few years back we had a BAD WINTER and on Christmas Day I was out pulling people out that got stuck in the snow.. it was a Great little jeep.. now that being said when I first seen the new jk unlimited I was like they just ruined the jeep I HATED THAT JEEP.. but I purchased a 2011 and lifted it and put 35s on it... and LOVED IT... but now I am looking at the new trailhawk... because of gas mileage. .. I guess what im trying to say is this.. ITS YOUR CHOICE OF WHAT YOU BUY AND YOU ARE THE ONE THAT PAYS THE BILL... so who cares what anyone else thinks if it fits your needs and your happy then thats all that matters. .. thats just my two cents. . Thanks for reading. .
Thread Starter
CF ADMIN
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 34,088
Likes: 257
From: Lantana, Fl
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.Slow
Hi all im new here and have been reading and I just wanted to say this... my first jeep was a patriot. . I got it for the gas mileage and true it was not a true off roader BUT I loved that jeep a few years back we had a BAD WINTER and on Christmas Day I was out pulling people out that got stuck in the snow.. it was a Great little jeep.. now that being said when I first seen the new jk unlimited I was like they just ruined the jeep I HATED THAT JEEP.. but I purchased a 2011 and lifted it and put 35s on it... and LOVED IT... but now I am looking at the new trailhawk... because of gas mileage. .. I guess what im trying to say is this.. ITS YOUR CHOICE OF WHAT YOU BUY AND YOU ARE THE ONE THAT PAYS THE BILL... so who cares what anyone else thinks if it fits your needs and your happy then thats all that matters. .. thats just my two cents. . Thanks for reading. .
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
From: TN
Year: 2014
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2.4 Tiger Shark
mud and sand work well.. and rock mode is awesome.. lockers are great too.
also.. its 4 lo is pretty sweet.. it crawls pretty good.. however.. it lacks the 10 inches the wrangler had in clearance.. but the skid plates work well.
does excellent in mud "so far" and if your a good driver you can go where a stock XJ goes or jk with 18s goes..
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Year: 2014
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 3.2 V6
Saw my first trail hawk yesterday, ( on the road ) had a cute little blond driver. I saw the front end in my rear views mirrors and yes I knew what it was. All n all not my style, but neither it the liberty, patriot, commander, .......... I don't think they should have called the KL " Cherokee " tho. I think that was a marking ploy, if they would have named it a BLAW BLAW then it would be another jeep that I don't want. Why didn't they call it a scrambler B Or CJ- 2000, -------- cause the Cherokee was a best seller for years. Cause kids " know and like the cherokee name and this is smart business
And not to mention if cute little blondes are buying them, well I get to pull them out of the ditch, so no harm no foul
My XJ will stand proud no matter what. And the KL is just another car on road. It's a new day, humans don't like change, but change is here
And not to mention if cute little blondes are buying them, well I get to pull them out of the ditch, so no harm no foul
My XJ will stand proud no matter what. And the KL is just another car on road. It's a new day, humans don't like change, but change is here
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,820
Likes: 5
From: Albuquerque, NM
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,578
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Got any pics of off road adventures?
There's a photo contest..............
Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, Florida
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
My coworker drives a KL so every other day my XJ is parked next to it, its pretty cute. 
Personally I don't have a problem with the KL, I think its cool they brought the Cherokee name back, and the Trailhawk seems respectably capable. If I were to buy a new crossover I'd actually have to think about the KL Trailhawk vs a Subaru Crosstrek.
What does irritate me is Chrysler's willingness to make a joke of the Jeep brand by making Front-Wheel-Drive KL models. Sure, most car companies do that these days, but c'mon, a JEEP? Subaru makes all their sedans with 4WD! Jeez.
Personally I don't have a problem with the KL, I think its cool they brought the Cherokee name back, and the Trailhawk seems respectably capable. If I were to buy a new crossover I'd actually have to think about the KL Trailhawk vs a Subaru Crosstrek.
What does irritate me is Chrysler's willingness to make a joke of the Jeep brand by making Front-Wheel-Drive KL models. Sure, most car companies do that these days, but c'mon, a JEEP? Subaru makes all their sedans with 4WD! Jeez.
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,379
Likes: 127
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
The cherokee in my area is extremely popular, and I see tons of them on my commute every day. I've grown to like the front end more, and I've seen one off road - impressive.
But I have two issues with it:
1) I owned a patriot (a severely underrated jeep btw) and I was able to get the Freedom drive 2 package, which includes all the off road stuff (hill decent, skid plates, tow hooks, "low" range, increased ground clearance, and a bunch of other stuff) for around 20 grand. Its a package you can add to any trim. on the cherokee, you have to buy the trailhawk where it basically has every option besides the v6 as standard... which brings it's cost up so high... Why did they do that? I would have traded my patriot in on a new cherokee in a heart beat if I could have gotten a base model and just added the off road package...
2) I struggle with the rear end. Don't know why, but its attractive from almost every angle except dead on from the rear.
But I have two issues with it:
1) I owned a patriot (a severely underrated jeep btw) and I was able to get the Freedom drive 2 package, which includes all the off road stuff (hill decent, skid plates, tow hooks, "low" range, increased ground clearance, and a bunch of other stuff) for around 20 grand. Its a package you can add to any trim. on the cherokee, you have to buy the trailhawk where it basically has every option besides the v6 as standard... which brings it's cost up so high... Why did they do that? I would have traded my patriot in on a new cherokee in a heart beat if I could have gotten a base model and just added the off road package...
2) I struggle with the rear end. Don't know why, but its attractive from almost every angle except dead on from the rear.