The small crossover market today is – surprise, surprise – one of the most popular and competitive ones, and it’s got a lot of solid offers, too. You’ve got a whole line-up of low-budget, tech-packed and ready-to-go vehicles just waiting for you to give them a try. And the brand-new Jeep Cherokee 2016 definitely has all the necessary neat tricks to be called one of the best in the family.
Plus, it’s actually a stand-out cut, because, while the trademark looks might not be that exciting nowadays, the legendary off-road might is still here to please, and little to no small crossover SUVs can boast the same kind of performance. Besides, the vehicle comes with quite a spacious and cozy interior, a well-designed and thought-through cabin and super user-friendly and straightforward controls and knobs.
The two major downsides are, as always, the below-average cargo capacity and the somewhat weak 4-cyl engine, but that’s about it for the bad sides. Other than that, this is the real deal.
A Modest 4-Cylinder Vs A Strong V6
So, even though the entry-level 2.4-lit 4-cylinder is good for 184 HP and 171 lb-ft of torque, it doesn’t feel strong enough on the road. The car feels a bit off, especially on those hills and mountain climbs, and the transmission can be slow at times, right when you need it to kick in some additional power. The good news is, you can opt for the mighty 3.2-lit V6 that’s available for all the trims except for the standard one – Sport.
This unit puts out 271 Horsepower and 239 pound-feet of torque. Both powertrains come with a 9-speed automatic transmission, and you have a choice between FWD (front-wheel drive) and 4WD (four-wheel drive). If you go ahead and get the optional tow packaged for the V6, the Jeep Cherokee 2016 will be able to tow up to 4.5K pounds, which is pretty awesome for a car this size. I mean, you’ll be able to easily tow a boat or even a trailer with this car!
Jeep Cherokee 2016 – Fuel-Efficiency And Driving Impressions
As for fuel-efficiency, you’ve got the car returning 31 miles per gallon on the highway and 22MPG in the city (25MPG combined) with FWD and the 4-cylinder and 24MPG combined (29hwy/21city) with FWD and the V6. Both numbers are about average for the class. In real-world testing the Cherokee with the V6 jumps from zero to 60 miles per hour in 7.4 seconds, which, again, is a +/- average result. On the road the latest Jeep Cherokee 2016 feels a bit sluggish, not to mention the entry-level engine is quite loud, as compared to the competition on the market. However, if you pick the V6, you’ll get a super-fun and enjoyable experience on your next trip, because with it you’ll get a pretty relaxed and laid-back vibe that you won’t find in a typical small crossover SUV. It’s strong, too, and the 9-speed transmission works best with this mighty unit. Even on top speeds the V6-packed Cherokee is super-quiet and on the rough terrain you’ll be more than pleased with its performance. On the other hand, even though steering is precise, the car feels a bit slow and stupid around turns as opposed to the sporty Mazda CX-5, and, say, Ford Escape.
The Trim Levels
The Jeep Cherokee 2016 is offered in four trim levels: you’ve got the entry-level Sport, Latitude, Trailhawk and the ultimate trim – Limited.
The Sport comes packed with 17-inch steel wheels, keyless entry, cruise control, air conditioning, USB/Bluetooth connections, a 6-speaker sound-system, a 5-inch touchscreen, and more. Up the trim tree you’ll get alloy wheels, foglights, headlights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a rearview camera, dual-zone (automatic) climate control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and so much more. Hands down, the brand-new Cherokee is one of the most versatile and feature-packed small crossover SUVs on the market, with tons of techy features and safety equipment, 4 trim levels and 2 engines to pick from.
Watch this video about Jeep Cherokee 2016:
