Chrysler has unveiled the 2014 Jeep Cherokee, which replaces the Jeep Liberty. The Jeep Cherokee has little in common with the Grand Cherokee. While the Grand Cherokee is a full sized SUV, the Cherokee is Jeep’s entry level crossover, which is in the same segment as the Honda CR-V. This mid-sized SUV will debut at the New York Auto Show next month and will go on sale later this year. The 2014 Jeep Cherokee will be produced at the company’s Toledo plant in Ohio.
Fiat-Chrysler have already confirmed their plans to bring in the Grand Cherokee and Wrangler to India in the next few months. These Jeep vehicles are already on test in Pune and will be brought through the CBU route, as Fiat looks to test the market before committing to local assembly. The American car maker is likely to bring the Cherokee to India, positioning it below the Wrangler. Chrysler plans to make India a hub for manufacturing right hand drive Jeep vehicles in the future.
The 2014 Jeep Cherokee is the first Jeep product to be developed by the Fiat-Chysler alliance. The Cherokee is based on the Fiat compact wide platform, which is also used on the Fiat Viaggio, Dodge Dart and Alfa Romeo Giulietta. Power will come from a range of engines, including a 3.2-litre V6 petrol motor. The Jeep Cherokee will be powered by a 4-cylinder diesel engine in India. The SUV will be mated to a 9-speed automatic gearbox and will be offered in front-wheel and all-wheel drive versions. The Jeep Cherokee is expected to be priced at Rs. 20 lakhs in India.
As far as the styling goes, it is a mixed bag. The 2014 Jeep Cherokee doesn’t look as boxy as other Jeep models but the extra big of curves do tend to take away the masculine factor associated with the world’s first 4-wheel drive car company. However some might like the different styling which seems to be a shift in the right direction from the regular design approach taken by other car makers. The Jeep Cherokee is indeed a Fiat Juke!
