cruiser54

I spend 5 days a week pulling my hose and passing gas................

salad

I didn't realize you had retired already!

Hayden98XJ

Cruiser54:

1991Jeep_Man

I think I had to lol a little bit at this one...

My old man checked out a KL today while looking at a Compass (which he deemed too small). He is by no means a huge 4x4 or even Jeep enthusiast, but he is picky about quality. He was impressed with its stance and layout. He said it felt comfortable. I am eager to hear what the Trailhawk can really do, or even just how it rides. And PLEASE cruiser... can you give me a 0-60 speed?

cruiser54

I test drove a 2.4L Trailhawk today. At the Dealership I used to work at. My old buddy went with me and we did a bit of on road and off road driving.

cruiser54

More pics.

cruiser54

More yet.

Rogue4x4

I guess I need to get out more. I have never seen an engine compartment that clean. LOL, then again I have never had a brand new car... what's with the wire mesh (maybe it's just textured?) around the head and those 2 sensors? Some sort of Faraday cage? And what's your feelings on how it drove?

cruiser54

The "wire mesh" I think you're seeing is in the aluminum components. The engine cover was removed for the photos.

I'll put it to you this way. I love fast cars. Have had them all my life. If I were to buy a 2014 Trailhawk, I would be perfectly happy with the performance of the 2.4L four cylinder engine.

I haven't driven the 3.2 yet, but I will at some point. The 2.4 is smooth and has a ton of torque and revs like a *****.

salad

Chromed valve cover! Looks like Fiat knows what's up!

Thanks for the piccies

EagleXJ

No off-road pics?

cruiser54

Polished aluminum.

The thing is a pleasure to drive. Very little body roll, quick steering and very stable.

I did some steep and rough 4 wheeling. Left the selector in "auto" and it went up real nicely. Did a second run in 4 Low with rear diff locked. Even better. Handles the rough stuff quite well. Even at speed.

Interior/seating is superb. Super comfy.

Notice the 5 year 100,000 mile warranty on the powertrain? Still worried the trans is gonna fail?

BTW, the trans shifted great. It will choose gears that are correct for the driving situation, sometimes skipping some. But, you can't really tell. It's just always in the right gear. Even anticipates a decel for a turn and selects lower gears as needed.

cruiser54

No, sorry. I was driving and enjoying myself and my buddy was kinda enthused also. Nobody to snap pics for us. Perhaps when I drive a 3.2 V6 Trailhawk in the future.

priell3

Great review. I agree with your assessment of 2.4 - no lack of power.

Rogue4x4

Yeah, it was kinda hard to see, just wondered, it looked trippy...kinda looks like mesh, but kinda looks machined into metal at the same time, LOL