[Jeepers]

Here we have a first drive review of the Jeep Cherokee from Consumer Reports, which is probably one of the most trusted establishments for auto reviews. Unlike other automotive journalists who get flown to a sunny place and set up in a 5 star hotel, Consumer Reports buys their own vehicles and tests them at their own test track. Hopefully this means we can trust them.

Some of the things I picked up from the video review:

- Cherokee isn't as fun to drive as the Escape or Tiguan mostly because it is heavier.

- The Cherokee Limited they tested costs $37,525, as much as a Mercedes-Benz GLK.

- Higher trim models can handle any off-road task, while the lower end models are still nice, but not quite as capable.

 

[JonJones]

As much as a base Mercedes GLK, anyway. I looked at those as well and I'd have to pay far closer to 50 grand for what I'd want in options.

The beauty of the Cherokee is that the 37,000 gets you all of those options.

 

[Gurgle]

That video wasn't very helpful or informative, I thought.

 

[Chris75]

Consumer Reports is choke full of staffers who simply don't love cars. They love toaster ovens and refridgerators, and are forced to review cars. I almost never listen to what they have to say.

 

[Carefree]

I agree with most of his comments. The TH we own does feel heavy when you try to push it. I would have expected a more agile car for the 270 horse power engine. I attribute it to the 9 speed gear box. Hopefully Jeep will release a software update to address this issue.

Having said that, I would buy the Cherokee again over any of the other competitors.

 

[RexKL14]

I agree with most of his comments. The TH we own does feel heavy when you try to push it. I would have expected a more agile car for the 270 horse power engine. I attribute it to the 9 speed gear box. Hopefully Jeep will release a software update to address this issue.

Having said that, I would buy the Cherokee again over any of the other competitors.

Agreed ^


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[ptram]

Don't believe everything these consumer reporters say. For one thing he said the Jeep Cherokee was heavier--yes and no--curb weight with 4 cycl. is 4044, Tiguan curb weight 3591, Ford Edge 4458 curb weight (with v6). Anyhow, I love the way my Limited feels on the road and like the weight as I feel like a few pounds on the plus side is a little more protection. If you want to quick compare most vehicles here is the web site that allows you to compare 4 vehicles at once with many stats. I could not get it to bring up a limited with a 6 cylinder but it still allows many comparisons.

http://autos.aol.com/cars-compare?c...42D0&v2=USC40TOS112B0&v3=USC40VWS032D0&v4=USC

 

[Snohawk]

Mercedes Benz makes a fine vehicle. Until you need to find somebody to work on it or have to pay for a part for it!

 

[willk]

Is this first drive review kind of old? I could swear I saw it about 2 months ago. Coming from a 2013 Escape I would say they are right on. The Escape is more agile. The Cherokee has a better ride. I can feel the extra weight. Probably better safety wise. I know the doors on my Limited are solid!

 

[KepeliTH]

I like to use CR to check the repair history on a certain brand. As far as any review from any source, I never pay any attention to.

 

[SwampLife]

Way back in the day I had just got a new Z28 and then read a Consumer Reports where they picked on the lack of glove box room -- never took much what they wrote seriously after that (unless they make a point that I like)

 

[Chris75]

Way back in the day I had just got a new Z28 and then read a Consumer Reports where they picked on the lack of glove box room -- never took much what they wrote seriously after that (unless they make a point that I like)

CR is the type of publication that will review a Porsche 911 and complain about bad fuel economy, small rear seat room and the lack of trunk space.


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[Dhguy58]

Consumer Reports is choke full of staffers who simply don't love cars. They love toaster ovens and refridgerators, and are forced to review cars. I almost never listen to what they have to say.

I could not disagree with you more, and I'm very curious what the basis is for what you are claiming.

A couple of years ago I was fortunate enough to be able to be invited on a tour of their automotive test facilities in Connecticut. Most (but admittedly not all) of their staff (at least at the automotive test facility) are absolutely car and truck enthusiasts and seem to enjoy and take pride in their work immensely. It's very obvious when you talk to them and also when you see what their personal vehicles are.

Unlike the typical writer at a publication like Car and Driver or Road and Track who is trying to entertain and inform at the same time, they try to be as objective as possible. Yep, their writing is as close to unemotional as can be. The most emotion you will ever see is them describing the Ford Fiesta ST or Porsche Boxster as being a hoot to drive.

But over the years I have found their unique perspective to be very useful (in addition to on line car reviews and magazines, and forums like this as well as stopping owners on the street) when deciding on a vehicle purchase decision. You will often see them point out a significant fact about a vehicle that was seemingly missed by all these other sources.

 

[McSwine]

I could not disagree with you more, and I'm very curious what the basis is for what you are claiming.

A couple of years ago I was fortunate enough to be able to be invited on a tour of their automotive test facilities in Connecticut. Most (but admittedly not all) of their staff (at least at the automotive test facility) are absolutely car and truck enthusiasts and seem to enjoy and take pride in their work immensely. It's very obvious when you talk to them and also when you see what their personal vehicles are.

Unlike the typical writer at a publication like Car and Driver or Road and Track who is trying to entertain and inform at the same time, they try to be as objective as possible. Yep, their writing is as close to unemotional as can be. The most emotion you will ever see is them describing the Ford Fiesta ST or Porsche Boxster as being a hoot to drive.

But over the years I have found their unique perspective to be very useful (in addition to on line car reviews and magazines, and forums like this as well as stopping owners on the street) when deciding on a vehicle purchase decision. You will often see them point out a significant fact about a vehicle that was seemingly missed by all these other sources.

Completely agree. While I don't always agree w/CR, the days of them reviewing cars by people who hated driving are long gone. I use CR as a shopping tool to be used to make an informed decision, but I don't consider them the last word. I've been a subscriber for years and have found CR to be helpful on many occasions, and not just cars.

 

[Chris75]

Completely agree. While I don't always agree w/CR, the days of them reviewing cars by people who hated driving are long gone. I use CR as a shopping tool to be used to make an informed decision, but I don't consider them the last word. I've been a subscriber for years and have found CR to be helpful on many occasions, and not just cars.

Even with their string bias towards anything not American made? All they need to see is Toyota, Honda or BMW on the hood and their minds are made up.


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[McSwine]

Even with their string bias towards anything not American made? All they need to see is Toyota, Honda or BMW on the hood and their minds are made up.


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Their highest rated large sedan is the Chevy Impala, which outscored the Toyota Avalon and Nissan Maxima by a significant margin. It was also one of their highest rated cars ever.

Maybe the Japanese/Korean/European cars that are at the top of their respective categories are there because they are better, and not because of "bias".

 

[willk]

Of course if CR says the Cherokee is great in their full review then we will hear how they are the best in car reviews. I've bought a lot of cars over the years and have always felt they were spot on in their reviews. I had a 2011 Subaru Outback that I didn't like the steering. Sure enough CR picked up the artificial heavy steering. I was disappointed in their support of the ACA but that has nothing to do with cars.

 

[Dhguy58]

Their highest rated large sedan is the Chevy Impala, which outscored the Toyota Avalon and Nissan Maxima by a significant margin. It was also one of their highest rated cars ever.

Maybe the Japanese/Korean/European cars that are at the top of their respective categories are there because they are better, and not because of "bias".

Yeah, they also recommend the Chevy Traverse, Dodge Durango, Ford Flex, GMC Yukon XL, Ford Expedition EL, Buick Enclave, Tesla Model S, Chevy Malibu 2LTZ, Chrysler 300, Buick LaCrosse, Buick Regal, Cadilliac ATS, Chevy Sonic, Chevy Volt, Ford Mustang, Ram 1500, and Ford F150. Doesn't sound like a strong bias toward foreign cars at all.

 

[JereW]

New Cherokee Limited

Been driving this vehicle for 2 weeks. Like the handling better than a GC. The large screen is truly exceptional and user friendly. Dual pane sunroof adds to the great feeling sitting behind the wheel. The engine starts getting good mileage when u get to 4th or higher. According to computer at 75 mph i was getting 32 mpg with the V 6. Absolutely love this Jeep.My 5th one and my favorite.

 

[Toecutter]

The BM GLK starts at $37,500 but to equip it similarly adds about $15K-$20K to the price tag.

The video segment of the Trailhawk clawing its way up the rocks was neat.