Cherokee KL Trailhawk

As for off-roading, the Cherokee remains formidable when compared with anything but, well, the 1997 Cherokee. The 4Runner is also tough competition, though 4Runner is a much heavier, pricier vehicle. (Yes, we have a different comparison list here, excluding CR-V, mainly because we haven't found the time to add CR-V yet.)

2014-15 2014 2013 2014 2013 2011 1997 Trailhawk Escape RAV4 CR-V 4Runner Liberty Cherokee Approach angle 29.9° 21° 29° 28° 33° 39.1° * 38° Breakover angle 22.9° 17.6° 16° 20.4° 24 ° Departure angle 32.2° 27.7° 22° 21° 26° 32.1° 32° Running clearance 8.7" 7.9" 6.3" 6.7" 9.6" ? 10.2" * Liberty approach angle is with the front fascia removed, on the Trail Rated model. Toyota does not publish breakover angles.

While comparisons to 4Runner are somewhat unfair (the Trail version of the 2013 Toyota 4Runner, which corresponds with Trailhawk, lists at $37,155), Cherokee Trailhawk suffers in approach angle and ground clearance, but does much better in departure angle; 4Runner's breakover angle is unpublished.

Cherokees 1997 2014 2015 Six-cyl. power 190 / 225 271 / 239 271 / 239 mpg, 6 cyl 4x4 17 / 21 (old standards) 18/25 (Trailhawk) 19/26 (Trailhawk) Weight, lb 3,111 - 3,153 3,811 - 4,106 3,811 - 4,106 The direct competitors to Cherokee are Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4; none comes close in terms of off-road measures.

The front independent suspension with MacPherson struts provides 6.7 inches of travel, while the rear independent multi-link suspension provides up to 7.8 inches of travel. The isolated rear cradle, aluminum front cross member and superior torsional rigidity deliver customers a quieter, smoother ride with improved handling characteristics.

Electronic power steering system (EPS) cuts maintenance and helps to provide a turn circle radius of around 36 feet in 4x2 models, approximately 38 feet in 4x4 models (39 feet for Trailhawk). It provides optimal steering effort at all speeds, with less noise and better fuel efficiency, since there is no parasitic loss from a power steering pump. The boost is speed sensitive, responding to sensors monitoring steering torque, steering wheel speed and angle and vehicle speed. The steering system is fully integrated with the ESC, and helps to compensate in split-traction, torque steer and pull-drift (crowned road) situations.

Jeep Active Drive II includes a two-speed PTU with torque management and a low range. Specifying low range locks the front and rear drive shafts, and adds a 2.92:1 gear reduction for better climbing; crawl ratios for severe off-road conditions are 56:1 with the four-cylinder and 47.8:1 with the V6, up to 90% higher than the Liberty. Jeep Active Drive II works with the Selec-Terrain system to modify torque distribution, calling in the stability control system as needed.

The Active Drive II system uses a planetary gearset in the power transfer unit, has an open differential unit, and relocates the front differential to the power transfer unit. Active Drive Lock is similar but has a locking differential. When in neutral, the 2014 with Jeep Active Drive II disconnects the driveline for flat towing behind another vehicle.

Jeep Active Drive Lock, standard on 2014 Jeep Cherokee Axle Ratios Standard Tow Pack TrailHawk, is the Jeep Active Drive II with a locking rear differential for severe off-road conditions. The locking rear 3.2 V6 3.251 3.517 differential can be chosen in any low-range terrain mode, but 2.4 I-4 3.734 4.048 will lock automatically when in "Rock" mode.

All 4x4 systems have the Jeep Brand's Selec-Terrain traction control system, which allows the driver to select one of five customized settings. The system coordinates up to 12 systems, using the powertrain and drivetrain computers, brake controller, stability control, Hill Ascent Control, and Hill Descent Control.

With Standard mode, the front/rear split varies depending on conditions; most of the time, the Cherokee should stay in front wheel drive for better gas mileage.

Sport limits traction control, increases stability-control slip thresholds, changes the torque bias for better cornering, and allows a target front/rear torque split of 40/60 for a rear-drive feel.

Snow starts in second gear, sets brake controls for slick surfaces, and goes into full time 4x4, preferring a 60/40 front/rear split.

Mud/Sand is similar but uses off-road brake controls, and a preferred split of 100% rear wheel drive.

Rock, on Trailhawk only (and requiring 4x4 Low), is similar to Mud/Sand but increases brake lock differential capacity and locks the differential.

Stability control is fully on with Auto and Snow, off in 4-Low; in sport and sand/mud, traction control and stability control are reduced, but anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic roll mitigation remain fully enabled.

Selec-Speed Control, only available in 4-Low, uses Hill Descent Control and Hill Ascent Control to limit speed when climbing or descending, so the driver to focus on steering; it uses both the throttle and brakes. The target speed, ranging from 1 to 5 miles per hour, can be adjusted by using the +/- shifter input.

Powertrain

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R 4.71 2.84 1.91 1.38 1.00 0.81 0.7 0.58 0.48 3.81

The 948TE automatic , built by using a modified ZF design, has a stunning 9.81 ratio spread, with a low first gear and a tall top gear; the wide ratio spread delivers an aggressive first gear ratio of 4.71 for low-end performance and small gear ratio steps which provide smooth transitions. Cherokees 1997 2014 2015 I-4power 125 hp / 150 lb-ft 184 hp / 171 lb-ft 184 hp / 171 lb-ft

Six-cyl. 190 / 225 271 / 239 271 / 239 power

21/28 (AWD I) mpg, 4 cyl AWD I/II: no equivalent 21/27 (AWD I/II) 21/27 (AWD II) 4x4 19 / 22 (old standards) 19/25 (Trailhawk) 19/25 (Trailhawk)

AWD I: no equivalent 19/27 (AWD I) 20/28 (AWD I) mpg, 6 cyl AWD II: no equivalent 19/26 (AWD II) 19/26 (AWD II) 4x4 17 / 21 (old standards) 18/25 (Trailhawk) 19/26 (Trailhawk)

Weight, lb 3,111 - 3,153 3,811 - 4,106 3,811 - 4,106

Engine Pentastar V6 TigerShark Four Diesel (EU) Type 60° V-type, 198 cid Inline, 144 cid Inline

Valvetrain Chain-driven DOHC (24V) SOHC (16V)

VVT Variable cam phasing MultiAir 2 + cam phasing

Compression 10.7:1 10:01

Horsepower 271 hp (199 kW) @ 6,500 184 hp (137 kW) @ 6,250 140/170

Torque 239 lb-ft (316 Nm) @ 4,400 171 lb-ft (232 Nm) @ 4,800 258

The nine-speed automatic has Electronic Range Select, which essentially means you can choose the highest gear it will go into (a modern version of the old "L1, L2" positions).

The system can dynamically choose from forty shift maps for specific conditions, choosing based on engine characteristics, longitudinal and lateral acceleration, grade changes, temperature, speed, and electronic stability control demands. (ZF actually allows for even more shift maps, but so far Chrysler has not taken them up on it; 40 seems complex enough.)

Both engines run on regular gas, redline at 6,500 rpm, and use long-life organic acid technology (OAT) radiator coolant (up to 10 years or 150,000 miles), with 100,000-mile spark plugs.

The new dual overhead-cam 3.2-liter Pentastar V-6 engine is based on the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, one of Ward's 10 Best Engines for three years running. The 3.2 is optimized for efficiency and low weight; a variable-displacement oil pump cuts parasitic losses, operating at low pressure when the engine is below 3,500 rpm. The paper oil filter can be incinerated after the oil is squeezed out. For 2015, gas mileage was improved in various ways, including but not limited to a stop-start system. Clutch engagement

Kyle Coffey noted the engagement of standard clutches, internal brakes, and dog clutches for the ZF nine-speed, with changes from the prior gear in bold. This transmission can skip gears, too.

A (dog) B (clutch) C (brake) D (brake) E (clutch) F (dog) First On Off Off On Off On

Second On Off On Off Off On

Third On On Off Off Off On

Fourth On Off Off Off On On

Fifth On On Off Off On Off

Sixth On On On Off On Off

Seventh On Off Off On On Off

Eighth Off Off On On On Off

Ninth Off On Off On On Off

Reverse Off On Off On On vs 1st

2015 JEEP CHEROKEE 4x4, TRAILHAWK, 3.2L V6 24V VVT, 9-Spd 948TE 4WD Auto Trans

Rear Suspension

Front Suspension

16

MOPAR Parts [10] 06509954AA, SCREW, 6 Lobe, M12X1.25X78.00, Front Shock to Knuckle; Required: 2 $2.15 [16] 06507676AA, Hex Flange, Locking; M12x1.50, Front Shock to Knuckle; Required: 2 $1.75