Buyer’s Guide: 2015 Jeep Cherokee

NEW FOR 2015:

– Pentastar engine receives idle-stop system
– Auto-brake added to collision warning system
– Adjustments to trim and packages
– New cloth upholstery for North trim
– New Nepal interior colour scheme for Sport, North, and Limited

After a year on the market, Jeep’s Cherokee has certainly left Canadians with a positive impression. Not only is it one of the brand’s fastest-selling products, it also brought home one of Canada’s most noteworthy trophies: AJAC’s 2014 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year.

For 2015, Jeep has made several feature enhancements and has re-jigged equipment packages. The baby 3.2-litre Pentastar V6 gets standard idle-stop technology, improving emissions and reducing fuel consumption, while the Forward Collision Warning system now includes low-speed auto-brake for crash mitigation. Meanwhile, automatic headlights are now standard on the North and Trailhawk, and a reverse camera is standard for the Trailhawk.

Two option packages have also been added to the roster. North, Limited, and Trailhawk models can be had with the SafetyTec Group which adds blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist, and mirrors with integrated turn signals and courtesy lamps. A Ventilated/Memory Seat Group package is now offered on the Trailhawk which includes premium leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, and memory features for driver’s seat, exterior mirrors, and radio.

All Cherokees come powered by a 2.4-litre TigerShark four-cylinder engine that develops 184 hp and 171 lb-ft. This can be optioned to a 3.2-litre version of the popular Pentastar V6 which develops 271 hp and 239 lb-ft of torque. All models come with a ZF-designed nine-speed automatic – a first for the segment.

While the Cherokee can be had with front-wheel drive, three different four-wheel drive configurations are available. Jeep Active Drive I is a basic automatic system available on Sport, North, and Limited. Jeep Active Drive II adds torque management functionality and a low-range mode, and is available on North and Limited trims. Trailhawk models also get Jeep Active Drive Lock, which adds a locking rear differential. On four-cylinder Trailhawk models, first gear is leveraged to create a 56:1 crawl ratio.

The Cherokee is available in Sport, North, Trailhawk and Limited trims.

The Sport is equipped with 17-inch steel wheels, power mirrors, black plastic mirror covers and door handles, LED tail lights, LED daytime running lights, cloth seats, 3.5-inch TFT instrument cluster display, 5.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with dual USB ports, SD and auxiliary jack, rear-seat arm rest, Bluetooth, power windows with driver’s side one-touch down, 60/40 split folding rear seat with fore/aft adjustment, illuminated cup holders, cruise control, tilt steering column, air conditioning, exterior temperature, compass, electronic park brake, and keyless entry.

4X4 models add Selec-Terrain with auto, snow, sport, and sand/mud settings, and a compact spare tire.

North adds 17-inch aluminum wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, passenger in-seat storage, fold-flat front passenger seat, power windows with one-touch for front and rear windows, climate control, ambient interior lighting, satellite radio, automatic headlights, fog lights, body-colour exterior mirrors and door handles, chrome headlight bezels, chrome side trim and roof rails, 115-volt power outlet, deep tint glass.

Trailhawk adds unique 17-inch alloy wheels, full-size spare tire, Active Drive Lock 4WD system with locking rear differential, hill descent control, cloth and leather-upholstered seats, reverse camera, off-road suspension, skid plates, leather and premium cloth upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 7.0-inch TFT instrument cluster display accent colour grille, roof rails, mirrors and badges, red tow hooks (two front, one rear), cargo net.

Limited adds 18-inch wheels, eight-way power driver’s seat with four-way lumbar support, leather upholstery, 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 7.0-inch TFT instrument cluster display, heated steering wheel, heated front seats, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, dual-zone climate control, heated exterior mirrors with integrated turn signals, remote start, proximity key with push-button start, alarm, garage door opener, automatic headlights, wiper de-icer, cargo compartment cover.

Key options include 3.2-litre V6 engine, dual pane or Skyslider sunroof, navigation, ventilated seats, wireless charging pad, single-disc CD player, premium nine-speaker sound system, trailer tow package, radar cruise control, park assist, forward collision warning with auto-brake, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and radar cruise control.