[Allpar News System]

Mike Manley mentioned, almost as a throwaway comment, that the light blue Jeep Cherokee, shining brilliantly under a spotlight in the corner of the room, had recently run the Hell’s Revenge trail at Moab.  Rated moderate-to-difficult and not recommended for beginners, the trail has long, steep climbs on sandstone, with a lot of sand, as well as boulder fields and “many” spots where it’s easy to accidentally roll over.

We figured that any outer damage would have been dealt with, but that we could get a small measure of the Cherokee’s fitness by looking for damage underneath. Most of the Jeep was spotless, underneath and above, but we could see a heavy scrapes on one skid plate and some various bits of missing paint, evidence of tackling a tough trail. There was no sign of real damage, and some onlookers were surprised at how substantial the skid plates..

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[sebring96hbg]

From the article, there appears to be good initial press reaction. Also, RG is right about the "it grows on you" comment as it does take some time to shake off the years of programming to expect seven slots and a box.

 

[MoparNorm]

From the article, there appears to be good initial press reaction. Also, RG is right about the "it grows on you" comment as it does take some time to shake off the years of programming to expect seven slots and a box.

??? Jeep hasn't had a box shape for nearly 14 years? Not exactly "programmed"...and...this still has 7 slots.

 

[fenderbass]

Do we know for sure they ran the whole trail or bypassed some obstacles?

 

[MoparNorm]

Do we know for sure they ran the whole trail or bypassed some obstacles?

I covered this in the other thread, complete with trail description and bypass info. This car cannot run the run the trail in its entirety, but it can easily run the "Tip Toe around Hell" bypass, which is rated 3.5 and KJ approved.

 

[Moparian]

Do we know for sure they ran the whole trail or bypassed some obstacles?

We dont know, Norm posted in another thread that particular trail requires 33" tires and that it probably was one of the bypass trails.

 

[Chad Kidder]

Kinda off-topic, but I see this version has the Sky Slider Roof.

 

[drew54]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=JnQw0Ic1hq4

 

[sebring96hbg]

??? Jeep hasn't had a box shape for nearly 14 years? Not exactly "programmed"...and...this still has 7 slots.

The outgoing Liberty looks like a box on wheels.

 

[CDJSalesPro]

??? Jeep hasn't had a box shape for nearly 14 years? Not exactly "programmed"...and...this still has 7 slots.

 

[Bob-blehead]

??? Jeep hasn't had a box shape for nearly 14 years? Not exactly "programmed"...and...this still has 7 slots.

You don't consider the Patriot a "box?" And I agree with Sebring96hbg about the Liberty. I'm not complaining . . . I like both vehicles. But a box is a box.

 

[CDJSalesPro]

OK I know Easter is this Sunday and all but dang whats up with that color......

Now just my opinion but to me thqthaqt color is UGLY...lol

 

[TripleT]

OK I know Easter is this Sunday and all but dang whats up with that color......

Now just my opinion but to me thqthaqt color is UGLY...lol

Hah, I like it reminds me of the color Dodge trucks had in the early 60's and 70's

 

[uglyvaliant]

I always thought the commander was kind of boxy? What was I missing?

 

[Bob-blehead]

Back to the OP . . . two points. First, I can see why people who LOVE their Jeeps do not like the new design. I get it. That said, I can also see why Jeep took this approach, considering what people seem to be buying in this segment of the market. They took a huge risk with this vehicle, and they are trying to pull non-traditional Jeep buyers into the fold . . . at the risk of alienating current Jeep owners once their Liberty or Patriot or Compass needs to be replaced.

One thing I do know . . . when Jeep came out with the Liberty (the smaller one), the Jeep community complained, yet Jeep sold a lot of them. When Liberty.2 came out, people complained again, but sales initially went up. This is according to an account I read earlier today (I'll have to go back and find it). Jeep cannot continue to do nothing in this segment if they want to be successful. They have to innovate, because everyone else is.

That said . . . I've been looking at pictures of this new Cherokee throughout the day. I WANT to like it . . . I really do. And I can buy into everything behind the front fascia . . . but it just doesn't look right to me. Perhaps it will grow on me (as someone above eluded to). I really didn't like the new Escape when it came out, and I still don't like the front . . . but the profile and rear view have grown on me. We'll see if Jeep decides to make any changes before they hit the dealerships.

 

[freshforged]

That said . . . I've been looking at pictures of this new Cherokee throughout the day. I WANT to like it . . . I really do. And I can buy into everything behind the front fascia . . . but it just doesn't look right to me. Perhaps it will grow on me (as someone above eluded to). I really didn't like the new Escape when it came out, and I still don't like the front . . . but the profile and rear view have grown on me. We'll see if Jeep decides to make any changes before they hit the dealerships.

Well despite the headlamp issues, I think the majority of complaints would go away if the front wheels were moved 4" forward (longitudinal engine) making for better approach angles and a more traditional profile.

 

[Stratuscaster]

??? Jeep hasn't had a box shape for nearly 14 years? Not exactly "programmed"...and...this still has 7 slots.

Not ALL Jeeps have had a box shape for nearly 14 years. Commander, Patriot, KK Liberty - all boxes.

Kinda off-topic, but I see this version has the Sky Slider Roof.

Correct - optional SkySlider or CommandView dual-pane roof.

I think the majority of complaints would go away if the front wheels were moved 4" forward (longitudinal engine) making for better approach angles and a more traditional profile.

But lengthening the wheelbase leads to other issues.

 

[TripleT]

including all the new safety standard especially in the EU.

 

[tomtex]

Maybe mopar will have some off-road improvements for it , i can see it bottoming out on muddied roads here in east Tx .It needs options for lift, metal bumpers for winch ,maybe just taller tires? but i do like what i see. I wonder what it will cost and what 4 wheel system to pick?

 

[MoparNorm]

Well despite the headlamp issues, I think the majority of complaints would go away if the front wheels were moved 4" forward (longitudinal engine) making for better approach angles and a more traditional profile.

It's FWD!
If you move the wheels, the trans and engine move with it! That means the crush zone moves too, you get a longer car, you don't get approach angle.
You are thinking correctly about the front, but FWD limits the ability to accomplish that.