If you haven’t already been by now, this past Friday the New York International Auto Show has begun. It will be going on until this coming Sunday. If you haven’t already checked it out, be sure to get down to the Jacob Javis center on 34th street to take a look. While down there, be sure to check out the 2014 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk Edition. We took this one for a spin for a week back in February and timing couldn’t have been more perfect. We had this right as New York was getting hit with much snow and we really got to see how it would handle itself. So how did the Trailhawk do, and is it really worth a look at this year’s auto show?
Style
The 2014 model of the Jeep Cherokee definitely look much different from earlier years, and you can see this the minute you approach one. The jury is still out on whether this is a good change or a bad one, as I’ve heard mixed feelings on it. When you approach the Cherokee from the front, that new look is definitely present. I like it since it looks very futuristic in nature, like something I would see in some movie that takes places in the future. But coming from how the older models look, I can understand how some could feel a ways about it. Some people can’t handle change, but in my opinion this change for the Cherokee was a good one, it might just take some time getting use to.
The Trailhawk edition come with some nice external badges on the side and back which stand it apart from regular models. Once we move from the outside to the inside, we can see some nice stitching work for the seats. The interior is comfy and the black with red stitching is a nice touch. Both inside and out is very nice on the 2014 Cherokee, once you get used to it and if your open to change, you’ll like it just fine.
Tech
The Jeep Cherokee model we use had all the tech features you would want in a car. The Uconnect 8.4-inch touchscreen w/ Bluetooth functionality is always a welcome feature. Being able to make/receive calls and stream my music from it is a plus! Again should always be standard on all cars now a days anyway in my opinion. Beyond the smartphone connection stuff, the Trailhawk model has some really cool features letting you handle any kind of road situation. With its Trail Rated capability with Jeep® Active Drive Lock 4×4 system and locking rear axle, in combination with Selec-Terrain® traction control system. With these you be able to tackle various conditions like Snow, Sand/Mud, Rocks all with its five customized settings, just spin the dial to match the conditions. Or, just leave it in Auto for confident 4×4 performance on any road or weather condition.
This especially came in handy in February. We have a few snowstorms and if you was parked on the street in a regular car, you wasn’t getting out anytime soon. With the snow mode on, I was able to get into and out of spots with easy. And while I was easily getting in/out of these spots, I was able to do some in comfort. The Cherokee has dual climate control, dual heated seats and heated steering wheel. So on or off-road, hot or cold, you should be taken care off in.
Experience
My time with the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk was an enjoyable one. From first look, I liked the new look of the Cherokee. Again it fell futuristic. While driving it in February it was definitely a car I wish I didn’t have to give back. It was a comfortable ride, and when it came time for the snowstorms, I was happy I had the Cherokee. Where I live, the street was snowed in for the full week I had the car, you had people who just couldn’t park in the spots as the snow sweeper push snow right into the very spots they needed. If you were lucky to get a spot, the sweeper would just end up re-burying you back in the snow and you’d have to shovel all over again. Not I, not in the Jeep Cherokee. Not only was I able to put it in snow mode and rock myself out, but I did it with just easy and speed, that onlookers had no choice but to stare and amazement. The Trailhawk performed as expected during this snowstorm and made getting around in it that much easier.
On the inside I was warm and toasty due to the heated seats and was able to listen to my music as I wanted via my smartphone thanks to the Uconnect Bluetooth functionality. This made my experience again an enjoyable one and I wouldn’t mind again someday.
Wrap Up
With a MSRP starting price of $29,495 for the Trailhawk model, it puts it in the rang of more SUVs out now making it competitive. With that you get a vehicle that can work just as well off-road as on pavement, and a quite a few cool features in tow. If you are a previous Cherokee owner, embrace the change and upgrade. If you aren’t one yet and looking for a SUV, give the Cherokee Trailhawk a look. It might just save you some time and effort next winter!
