Everything You Need to Know About the All-New 2014 Jeep Cherokee

The 2014 Jeep Cherokee began making waves in automotive circles before it was even released; pictures of the vehicle were leaked by an online publication, and they immediately went viral. The Cherokee, which had been discontinued in favor of the Liberty for more than a decade, looked nothing like its predecessor. It had a sweeping design, aerodynamic lines, a bent grill and the real kicker: Thin LED running lights that many people said made it look like it was squinting.

It was a polarizing design, perhaps the most of any Jeep brand vehicle ever released. Some people hated the new style, preferring the old design, which was far more square and rugged. Others praised the new design, saying that it finally looked like Jeep had made a modern vehicle, rather than making clones of the SUVs that the company was making in the 1980s.

What you really need to know about the Jeep Cherokee, however, is that the outside shouldn't matter all that much. The vehicle itself has been touted by many as the best in its class. Of course, looks will always play a role with any vehicle, but those who can look past what may not be their ideal choice – or those who crave the new, aggressive appearance – will find that there is a lot to love with this new offering from Jeep.

Power and Economy: To start, the Cherokee come with a pair of engine options. The first is a 2.0 liter I4. It can get, in the FWD version of the vehicle – the Cherokee comes in both FWD and 4WD – up to 32 miles per gallon. While this engine is great for those who need a daily driver and care about fuel economy over all else, it does lack a bit in power. This is more than made up for in the 3.2 liter V6, which has power to burn. The V6 can still get in the high 20s; with the Active Drive II suspension, it is still rated at 25MPG on the highway.

Active Drive: Speaking of the Active Drive system, there are a few variations to choose from if you do not want FWD. Active Drive I offers you an All Wheel Drive setup that senses when the Jeep is slipping and switches over for better traction in snow and mud. Active Drive II provides you with an extra inch of ground clearance – think of it as a factory lift kit – and you also get the Terrain Select system, which lets you pick between four modes: Auto, Sand, Sport and Snow. If you use Snow, for example, it locks the Cherokee in 4×4 mode and adjusts the braking and steering for a better response. Active Drive Lock offers the same, but with a locking rear differential.

Fit and Finish: Where the Cherokee really stands out from older iterations is in fit and finish. It's incredible. The available leather seats have perfect stitching and they are some of the most comfortable that you'll find in any vehicle. You can get heated and vented seats and a heated steering wheel. The panoramic sunroof is huge, taking up most of the roof, and the front can easily be opened with a button over your head, while the rear stays fixed. Available GPS can be linked to the 8.4-inch touchscreen, which offers Bluetooth connectivity for phones and mobile devices. Simply put, it has all of the luxury options you would expect from something with a far higher price tag, such as a BMW X3 or an Audi Q5.

The Trailhawk: There are four main trim levels: Sport, Latitude, Limited and Trailhawk. The Trailhawk is basically the Limited, with all of the luxury options, but geared for off-road adventures. It has Active Drive Lock, built-in tow hooks and everything else that you need when you swap the pavement for the trails. It also has a more aggressive appearance and better approach angles. If you care about the "wow" factor when people see your vehicle, this is the one for you. It's beautiful, different than anything else on the road and as capable as you could ever need.

The Verdict: On the whole, the 2014 Jeep Cherokee sets the bar in its segment. Nothing else is anywhere near as comfortable and capable for the price point. Much like the XJ did decades ago, this Jeep vehicle is sure to influence the segment for years to come.