[CombatMedic]

True to their word, a small dealership in the area (West Chicago Suburbs) drove to Pennsylvania to trailer back the Trailhawk that I wanted. I had been referred to three dealerships through the USAA car buying service and I visited three more on my own. I was set on what I wanted...had to be a black TH with only 2 options: leather and the cold weather package. To add to the issue, I wanted the dealers to match the USAA price and give me my set minimum for my trade. Three of the dealerships would only honor the USAA price if it was for something already on their lot (standard practice). Two were willing to travel up to 500 miles to trade from another dealer, but found nothing. The last dealer pretty far away and in some little town, so I never returned their initial call...silly me. The owner of the dealership left me a pretty compelling message, so I did finally call back. The owner put me in touch with his internet sales guy who actually listened to what I had to say. By the end of the call, we had agreed on everything to include my minimum trade value.

The next day he called me back to tell me there was nothing matching what I wanted in Illinois or the neighboring states, but he would keep looking. The following day he called to tell me he had found one in Pennsylvania and would happily send someone to trailer it back if I was sure I wanted to buy. I said yes and stated that I would be back on the 16th to work the deal. They did all of this with no money down, just my word. Everything went as agreed, and they even gave me a few hundred more for my trade once they saw it. Great dealership! I genuinely hope everyone has had such a pleasant experience with their Cherokee purchases!

 

[CombatMedic]

Oh yeah, my day five review...

Overall, I am very impressed with the Trailhawk. On the interstate, the ride is so much better than that of my '11 Xterra Pro 4X. The ride, together with the amazing interior (the reason I really wanted the new Cherokee) makes my commute much less painful. As it is a typical Chicago winter, the remote start and heated leather are just icing on the cake. The only real complaints that I have is that the mileage isn't that good yet and the transmission seems a bit confused at times. I'll wait until get in some more miles before I pass final judgment in those areas.

There are two areas that many folks have been asking about...the I4 and the stereo. All I can say is that it depends on what you are used to. Right now I'm not all that impressed with the I4, but I expected that. Probably 80% of my driving is my daily commute on I88/I290. I fully knew I was making a compromise to save $1500 and a few MPG. Compared to the Xterra's 4.0 V6, this thing seems to make more noise than torque. I haven't tried it yet, but I'm guessing that passing on the highway may take some forward planning. I will say that Jeep seems to have picked gearing that makes around town driving nice despite 4000+lbs and not a lot of torque. If you're like me and mostly use the TH for a commute, the I4 may be just fine. Again, it may depend on what you are currently driving or used to.

As for the standard audio system...this may be another area where I'm a bit spoiled. Ever since I worked for a car audio shop, I've been a bit of an audiophile. As for functionality, the head unit/navigation is great...much improved over my '06 GC SRT8. The sound, in my humble opinion, just sucks. The optional Rockford Fosgate system in my Xterra wasn't the best by any measurement, but it was the first factory system that I was able to leave alone without upgrading. To me, the standard Cherokee system sounds horrible compared to the RF system. There is just no way to make 6x9 speakers (or any size for that matter)run full range and sound good. I'm sure the upgraded system limits the speaker's range with high-pass crossovers and adds subwoofers for low frequencies. Again, your opinion of the system will depend on what you have to compare it with. I, for one, would happily spend the extra few hundred for the upgraded sound system if I could.

Like I said, I'm very impressed with the Trailhawk and seem to like it more every day. I don't regret my purchase or trade at all. My issues whith the I4 power and the audio system just serve as another's opinion for those still waiting to make a purchase/order. No matter what options you chose, you'll get one really nice vehicle. I just can't wait for some time to finally get off road.

JW

 

[Sailor80]

I have an I4 limited and I drive in the burbs of Chicago and the mileage isn't great at all yet and I'm about to break 1k miles... First tank I was at 24mpg (manual calc) and ever since then hovering around 20 slightly above and below... I've been light footed... Needless to say I'm a little more than irritated. Keep an eye on it and let me know please...


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[CombatMedic]

Ugh, not good to hear. I'll definitely keep an eye on the mileage and let you know.

 

[Gator]

on my 3.2 TH, I'm now getting 22.5 around town and 27 highway. I would have thought the I4 would be much better, maybe in time

I have the standard stereo and love it, my last 09 Subaru was standard and much less and before that the 01 Cherokee was really bad....so Im happy with standard. Wonder if the TH standard is the same as what you have????

 

[Journeyman]

on my 3.2 TH, I'm now getting 22.5 around town and 27 highway. I would have thought the I4 would be much better, maybe in time

I have the standard stereo and love it, my last 09 Subaru was standard and much less and before that the 01 Cherokee was really bad....so Im happy with standard. Wonder if the TH standard is the same as what you have????

It's the same. The biggest difference for Combat is that he is used to high quality after-market systems which 9 times out of 10 will blow a stock system out of the water... as long as you throw enough money at it that is hahaha.

 

[dawhitesTH]

Excellent choice of color might I add. Very nice and thorough review.

 

[CombatMedic]

Journeyman is reading me like a book. I don't mean to sound like a pompous a$$, but I just don’t like the standard stereo. My message was simply that those used to high-end systems will not like the standard one and should probably jump at the upgrade. The problem is that upgrading the factory system while maintaining the head unit and available storage space will cost a lot of $$$$. To me the optional 9-speaker system is a bargain for a few hundred if it improves the sound at all.

I normally would not have opted for the $795 8-speaker+subwoofer Rockford system in the Xterra, but I bought it off of the lot. Normally, I just go aftermarket…at a much higher price. If the Cherokee's optional system comes anywhere close to the RF for half the price, I'd do it.

Again, it’s all about perspective.

 

[AbkshelbyXJ]

Nice looking Trailhawk Combatmedic. For you guys with the lower than expected gas mileage, you may want to try a higher octane gasoline. The 87 octane gas we have now just burns very inefficiently. Try 89 or 93 and see if your mileage improves several MPG's. Also, you'll need the engines to break in for awhile still till things improve mileagewise.

 

[CombatMedic]

Nice looking Trailhawk Combatmedic. For you guys with the lower than expected gas mileage, you may want to try a higher octane gasoline. The 87 octane gas we have now just burns very inefficiently. Try 89 or 93 and see if your mileage improves several MPG's. Also, you'll need the engines to break in for awhile still till things improve mileagewise.

I agree. I'm reserving final judgment until the TH is fully “broken-in”. I also know there are other potential factors that can affect MPG like too much time at idle (yes I use my remote start, but just as I walk up to the car), cold weather/computer making car run richer, bad winter gas, and too much ethanol in Illinois fuel.
The higher octane basically just slows the combustion process which fights detonation in higher compression or unnaturally aspirated engines. I’m not sure how that would improve mileage, but I’d be willing to give it a shot.

 

[AbkshelbyXJ]

My 2014 Jeep Patriot that I just traded in to buy this Cherokee had the old non Tigershark 2.4L engine. That thing just did not like 87 octane at all. Had horrible detonation with it. Switched that over to 93 octane and the detonation went away and gas mileage improved by about 2mpg. Gas nowadays is just junk. Stupid ethanol.

 

[Journeyman]

Journeyman is reading me like a book. I don't mean to sound like a pompous a$$, but I just don’t like the standard stereo. My message was simply that those used to high-end systems will not like the standard one and should probably jump at the upgrade. The problem is that upgrading the factory system while maintaining the head unit and available storage space will cost a lot of $$$$. To me the optional 9-speaker system is a bargain for a few hundred if it improves the sound at all.



I normally would not have opted for the $795 8-speaker+subwoofer Rockford system in the Xterra, but I bought it off of the lot. Normally, I just go aftermarket…at a much higher price. If the Cherokee's optional system comes anywhere close to the RF for half the price, I'd do it.

Again, it’s all about perspective.

You didn't come off pompous at all to me. I'd look at it this way: for some people, they are used to eating fillet minion and any other steak is OK, but its no fillet. Another aspect would be cigars in that same note. Not pompous, just a connoisseur. I will say, after hearing both systems I HAD to have the 9 speaker w/ sub. My current car (I'll miss you when I trade you in! ) has a 1000w system that sounds awesome for a stock system. To go from that to the standard 6 speaker was a no go.

Nice looking Trailhawk Combatmedic. For you guys with the lower than expected gas mileage, you may want to try a higher octane gasoline. The 87 octane gas we have now just burns very inefficiently. Try 89 or 93 and see if your mileage improves several MPG's. Also, you'll need the engines to break in for awhile still till things improve mileagewise.

If I remember right, only the 6 suggest running 89 for maximum performance however running 87 is ok. I think the 4 strictly said 87.

 

[Sailor80]

If I remember right, only the 6 suggest running 89 for maximum performance however running 87 is ok. I think the 4 strictly said 87.

I put in 89 in my I4 to see if it makes a difference. I want to see above a 21mpg average... It's not going to hurt but it's just one tank as a test...



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[Journeyman]

I put in 89 in my I4 to see if it makes a difference. I want to see above a 21mpg average... It's not going to hurt but it's just one tank as a test...



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With newer computer controlled engines running a higher octane wont 'hurt' it will automatically advance or retard the timing if it senses knocking. Generally though, running a higher octane than required doesn't do anything but cost you more money, both at the pump and wasted fuel by not running the optimum octane.

But your mileage may vary! It's just the nature of the beast, every car tends to have its own bit of 'attitude'.

 

[oilslick]

With newer computer controlled engines running a higher octane wont 'hurt' it will automatically advance or retard the timing if it senses knocking. Generally though, running a higher octane than required doesn't do anything but cost you more money, both at the pump and wasted fuel by not running the optimum octane.

.

This is true and I agree!

 

[CombatMedic]

I put in 89 in my I4 to see if it makes a difference. I want to see above a 21mpg average... It's not going to hurt but it's just one tank as a test...



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Let us know if it makes any difference.

 

[Sailor80]

Let us know if it makes any difference.

It was .05 cents more and I thought **** at this point I will try anything. I just broke 1k miles! Next step will be to ask the dealership to reflash the trans... I shouldn't have to use 89 if it does show improvement... You know what I mean?


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[Jeepster]

Sailor, with my limited experience thus far, I found that being light footed didn't improve my mpg. I have a little over 800 miles on her now, and I babied her until two days ago. I too was hanging around 20 mpg, but I figured, darn it I paid extra for V6 let's see what she can do. No burnouts or anything mind you, I just leaned on the pedal a little more and found that in the past couple of days mpg went up to 24.4 . I thought this was weird, but maybe because it's not spending as much time in the lower gears?

BTW I've only been using 87 octane.

 

[Sailor80]

Sailor, with my limited experience thus far, I found that being light footed didn't improve my mpg. I have a little over 800 miles on her now, and I babied her until two days ago. I too was hanging around 20 mpg, but I figured, darn it I paid extra for V6 let's see what she can do. No burnouts or anything mind you, I just leaned on the pedal a little more and found that in the past couple of days mpg went up to 24.4 . I thought this was weird, but maybe because it's not spending as much time in the lower gears?

BTW I've only been using 87 octane.

I guess that's worth a shot... I have the I4 but my very first tank of gas was all highway and I got 24 mpg since then barely any highway so I have babied it... Guess I will resume normal driving habits and report back... Though I am heading up to Great Lakes tomorrow so thats about 50 miles R/T but I will lean on it a bit more and see! Thanks for the advice I truly do appreciate it!


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[Ausgti]

Nice read, Congrats on your new 'Kee and Welcome to the forums! Lots of great info and tip here!