The 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited is a completely new vehicle this year with a multitude of changes inside and out that stay true to Jeep’s heritage while appealing to those who are new to the brand.
| STATS | Starting Retail Price | As Tested Price | HP / Lb-Ft |
| 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited 4×4 | $29,995 | $35,535 | 184 / 171 |
| EPA Rating MPG | As Tested MPG | ||
| Rating: BUY IT! | 21 / 28 Combined 24 | 23 Combined |
Let’s just jump right in and talk about that new front end that you either love or hate. There is no just sort of liking the changes up front. You either love the way the new grill and the elongated daytime running lights look or they are the visual equivalent of nails on a chalkboard. I’m in the former camp.
Sure, it’s not so singularly Jeep when you look at it, but that’s not a bad thing at all. Go google what Jeeps looked like back in the 70s or 80s and you’ll see that that front end has evolved more than you think. This is just another step in the process of continually updating and revising the design to keep it fresh and new.
The interior is attractive and comfortable and manages to pull of a nifty trick in that it feels rugged and upscale at the same time. There’s nothing delicate or refined but the materials all look and feel good. You’ll be very comfortable as you blast through that giant snowbank at the end of your driveway this winter. Those in snowy climes might also consider the Subaru Forrester which offers the same snow-worthy drive.
Your rear passengers will also be comfortable with plenty of leg and shoulder room for even the tallest adults. Put kids back there and everyone will be happy because there’s more than enough space for them to stay on their own turf without touching that imaginary line down the middle of the car that, once crossed, causes all sorts of problems.
The 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited 4×4 I tested came with a 2.4-liter I4 that’ll give you 184 horsepower with 171 lb-ft of torque. It’s also got a 9-speed automatic transmission that shifts smoothly and quickly as you get up to speed for highway driving. It’s an agile ride, but not an overly aggressive one.
You’ve got two ways to get a sportier feel in your 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited. The first is to use the Selec-Terrain feature and turn it to Sport. You’ll get higher revs, a lot more engine noise, and much more aggressive acceleration especially trying to pass quickly on the highway. Your other option is to go for the 3.2-liter V6 which has a bit more get up and go. The 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe is another option in the same class for those looking for a peppier ride.
The ride in the 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited is smooth and confident with a solid almost heavy wheel that only gives you the feedback you need. Moderately rough roads pose no challenge and it’s like driving a freshly paved highway. Take it through some rougher bumps and you’ll start to feel the road, but only enough to make you aware but not make the drive uncomfortable.
We happened to get 14″ of snow during the time I had the 2014 Jeep Cherokee and it managed unplowed roads as though they were clear. Even rutted and thick with packed snow that could have sent the wheel jumping out of my hands, it was easy to control and required very little correction to accommodate road conditions.
Among the many available features is Parallel/Perpendicular Park Assist which will park the car while all you do is manage the brake. I may run screaming from the average haunted house, but I did manage to get up the nerve to take my hands off the wheel and let the 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited park itself.
It backed into a fairly narrow spot perfectly centered and parallel parked on a busy city street with no problem. It’s a neat feature and worked seamlessly, but watching that wheel spin around on its own is at once cool and nerve-wracking. Although once my heart rate returned to normal and the car was happily parked it felt just one step away from those flying cars we’ve all been promised.
On the TFLcar scale of:
- Buy it!
- Lease it!
- Rent it!
- … or Forget it!
I give the 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited a Buy It!
Nicole Wakelin fell in love with cars as a teenager when she got to go for a ride in a Ferrari. It was red and it was fast and that was all that mattered. Game over. She considers things a bit more carefully now, but still has a weakness for fast, beautiful cars. Nicole also writes for NerdApproved and GeekMom.
