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  • First Impressions

  • First Impressions

First Impressions

The replacement for the worn-out Jeep Liberty is a completely new take on what a modern Jeep should be. It’s a mid-size crossover with a new infotainment system, new 4-wheel-drive systems, and exterior styling that will turn heads—not always for the right reasons.

Coming later in 2013, this new Cherokee seeks to pick up where the much-loved 1974-2001 model left off—as a smaller, but very capable and well-rounded 4WD wagon.

If the looks don't scream "Jeep," the interior does, with a steering wheel emblazoned with "since 1941." The updated Cherokee comes with Chrysler's Uconnect touchscreen system standard, featuring an 8.4-inch LCD and Bluetooth, optional SiriusXM, and voice recognition. Users of that system can opt to add navigation after purchase or tick the box on the upgraded Uconnect from the get go.

The Cherokee has some really unique standard features and some great options as well. The cabin has impressive touches like storage underneath the passenger seat bottom, and fans of astronomy will appreciate the CommandView panoramic glass sunroof. There's also a throwback "ragtop" sunroof too, that Jeep's calling Sky Slider.

Where this Jeep truly diverges from the mid-80s XJ Cherokee is when it comes to convenience and safety tech. It's got ParkSense Park Assist, blind spot detection, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control with Stop and Go. Although these toys won't be useful to the off-road crowd, the Cherokee certainly comes with a blend of enough comfort and features to make a trip down the interstate uneventful as well.

Four trim levels will be available at launch: Sport, Latitude, Trailhawk and Limited. Where Jeep is hoping the hardcore brand aficionados will end up is behind the wheel of a Trail Rated Cherokee Trailhawk, the ruggedized version of the midsize Jeep. Two engines, a 2.4-liter Tigershark 4-cylinder that uses corporate parent Fiat's MultiAir technology, and a 3.2-liter Pentastar V6 will be available across all models, coupled to one of three 4WD systems. With the smaller Tigershark engine, the Cherokee is rated at 31 MPG highway, something that will be music to the ears of people who might cross shop with the Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V. The drivetrains have all been designed with fuel economy in mind, featuring rear-axle disconnect so that there isn't power going to all wheels unless needed.

Meet the tester

Brendan Nystedt

Brendan Nystedt

Contributor

@bnystedt

Brendan is originally from California. Prior to writing for Reviewed.com, he graduated from UC Santa Cruz and did IT support and wrote for a technology blog in the mythical Silicon Valley. Brendan enjoys history, Marx Brothers films, Vietnamese food, cars, and laughing loudly.

See all of Brendan Nystedt's reviews

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