Model: 2014+ Jeep Cherokee
Vehicle type: Crossover
History/description: The relaunched Jeep Cherokee hit Canadian roads in 2013 as a five-seat utility vehicle that racked up numerous awards for safety, capability and owner satisfaction.
Standing out in its segment with real-world off-road capability and unique design, it was offered in numerous trim grades and with a variety of powertrains and options.
Look for all-wheel drive or 4x4 with low range, as well as a locking rear differential. The selec-terrain system allowed drivers to optimize vehicle systems for use in special modes, including some for snow, sand/mud and rock.
Heated and chilled leather, push-button ignition, advanced parking systems, premium stereo systems and automatic lights were all on board. All units got two seating rows, and five seats.
Under the hood, look for a 3.2-litre Pentastar V6 with 271 horsepower, or a standard 2.4-litre Tigershark engine with 184 horsepower. All units got a nine-speed automatic transmission.
What owners like: An easygoing car-like driving experience, car-like ride and handling, good manoeuvrability, and an easy-to-use infotainment system were on offer and come in as among the Cherokee’s most highly-rated attributes.
The popular Cherokee Trailhawk, which improved capability via exclusive off-road upgrades, was enjoyed by may owners, too. This seems to be a well-loved package with many strengths and few weaknesses.
What owners dislike: Gripes include a degradation of ride quality on rougher or off-road surfaces on some models, a noisier-than-expected suspension, and limited cargo space and rear seat space compared to some competitor models.
The test drive: Cherokee’s Engine Start Stop (ESS) system automatically turns the engine off in many situations where it would otherwise idle, saving fuel.
Some owners have reported issues, often centred around an ESS system that’s slow to restart, or fails outright, accompanied by a warning message in the instrument cluster.
Causes of ESS issues may include a bad wiring ground, a bad system sensor, or a weak battery. If the ESS system is acting up, disable it via the button on the dash, and have a dealer technician investigate.
If equipped, run the central UConnect touch-screen through its paces, using all commands, calling up all menus and settings, paring devices via Bluetooth, plotting a navigation address, working the backup camera, and more.
If the system crashes, chokes or lags, a hard reset, software update, or new head-unit (in decreasing order of likelihood) may be the solution.
In some cases, a whistling sound at lower speeds has been reported as a precursor to a problem with the vehicle’s transaxle/4x4 system or some seal within, necessitating replacement.
Coax the sound out of the used Cherokee you’re driving by rolling all windows down, turning off the stereo and climate control fan, and accelerating lightly, moderately, and at full throttle from a stop, up to a low speed.
If any unwelcome high-pitched noises are present, have a dealer technician investigate.
Take note of any warning lights, malfunction lights, or a check engine light. If any is apparent, the vehicle has detected a fault in one or more systems, and is inviting you to have a diagnostic scan performed (via a hand-held OBD reader, or a scan by a dealer technician) to identify the problem. Some culprits may include a bad oil pressure sensor, or a loose fuel cap.
Take note of the behaviour of the transmission, remembering that any hard shifting, hesitation, or general clumsiness, likely indicates the need to reprogram the transmission’s computer brain.
Though transmission issues are likely software and not hardware-related in nature, be sure to have a professional make an assessment before you buy, just to be safe.
Finally, note that the average shopper is best to avoid a used Cherokee that’s been modified by past owners, particularly with non-factory engine software or parts, or suspension upgrades in the form of lift kits or other non-factory parts.
Modifications like these can, in some cases, cause durability issues, and may void remaining warranty coverage on affected systems.
The verdict: Shoppers are strongly advised to have a complete pre-purchase inspection performed by a factory-trained technician before they agree to buy, for reduced likelihood of problems.
Be sure to have the vehicle treated to a full visual inspection, diagnostic/electronic scan, and to determine which (if any) software updates and recalls may be in play.
Your dealer service advisor can help here and if any software updates or recalls haven’t yet been applied, plan to have the work completed as soon as possible.
