5 Reasons to Dig the Jeep Cherokee Even More

If you’ve been considering a Jeep Cherokee, chances are you’ve been holding back, asking yourself one or two of the following questions: 1) What about the look? 2) Is it really a Jeep? 3) Is it worth the money?

Let me start by saying this: one of the biggest challenges that any new Jeep model faces is that it’s always being compared to either the Wrangler, first and foremost, or the Grand Cherokee. That’s pretty much par for the course. And while it’s certainly understandable given the heritage of the two Jeeps, it’s really not a fair assessment. Namely, because every new Jeep deserves to be able to establish its own identity.

But the trouble that most new Jeeps are faced with is finding a way to convey that identity to consumers.

For the Renegade, it’s pretty clear cut. It’s a compact (or subcompact depending on who you ask) aimed at younger buyers who spend a lot of time in the city, but also like having the option of off-roading from time to time. Okay, so maybe very little off-roading. But hey, there are a lot of Wrangler owners who never take their Jeep off-road.

The Cherokee, on the other hand, isn’t a true compact and it’s much smaller than its larger sibling, the Jeep Grand Cherokee. So, it doesn’t necessarily give you the type of flexibility that comes with a Renegade in the urban terrain or the space of a Grand Cherokee for a long road trip. That, of course, might prompt some to ask then what’s the point? But after spending a little more time with a 2016 Trailhawk model of the Cherokee recently, it’s pretty clear that this Jeep does add something special to the line-up.

1. The Design Just Keeps Growing on You – Remember all that heat the Cherokee took when it was first introduced because of its awkward front design? Well, it’s funny what a couple of years will do, because the Trailhawk we tested drew quite a few looks on the road. And it wasn’t the kind of weird ones where you find yourself embarrassed to be driving the car.

2. Great Performance in a Small Package – You tend to forget exactly how impressive the Cherokee is until you’re behind the wheel again. And one of the things that hits you pretty quickly is how solid if feels on the road for a vehicle its size. In fact, the Cherokee (powered by a 2.4-liter engine with 184 horsepower and 171 lb.-ft. of torque) actually rides and handles as well as the Grand Cherokee, even though it’s about 7-inches shorter and roughly a foot narrower than its larger sibling.

3. Road Trip Ready – Comfort: that’s one of the biggest things you typically consider when assessing whether or not an SUV is a good road-trip vehicle. In the Cherokee, you’ll definitely need to narrow down that passengers’ list for those road trips, due to the size of the vehicle (anything more than three other adults is a stretch). But whoever you pick will certainly find all the comfort and conveniences they need in the Cherokee for the journey.

4. Big Capability on Tap – What’s a Jeep if it doesn’t have great off-road capabilities, right? Sure, as mentioned earlier, chances are, you’ll probably never take the SUV off-road. But there’s certainly a sense of pride in knowing that you can, which is another element that gives you an even deeper appreciation for the Cherokee Trailhawk. Features like the red tow hooks and Trailhawk badging are far more than just cool looking accessories. They also speak to the fact that the SUV is the most capable vehicle in its segment.

5. Decent Bang for the Buck – There’s a chance that you might think you need a Wrangler Unlimited or Grand Cherokee, but really don’t. Now, don’t get me wrong, I certainly can understand your dilemma. But if you’re considering buying a Jeep strictly because of the nameplate. Rest assured: the Cherokee Trailhawk tested gives you a lot of the same appeal for a price of $37,420, which includes more than $5,000 in options.

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