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KL Refresh? Rumors/Speculation

4K views 13 replies 11 participants last post by  Cherokee63 
#1 ·
So heres the deal KL owners. Please don't take offense to this post. I like everything about the KL except for the looks (The Trailhawk is almost an exception.) Specifically the front end. I know I am not alone there.

Now entering its 2nd model year and apparently selling really well, I highly doubt we'll see any "emergency refresh" as some proclaimed when the KL was unofficially leaked last year.

Just curious if anyone has any insider comments or idea of when the KL will get a facelift, and if it is to get a facelift, if it is just going to be some botox or a full blown face transplant.

(I really want to get my girlfriend into a Jeep and out of her Ford Focus. The Renegade is a cool looking little Jeep, but may be a little small.)
 
#2 · (Edited)
I debated whether I wanted to reply to you because I have e feeling you are just trolling. I did my research and saw the sketches for the Cherokee long before I ordered one. I live close enough to Chrysler headquarters that I even saw the mules long before the public did. I so liked the Cherokee's appearance that using my mother's Chrysler discount I was one of the first to order one. (My mom and dad were both former Chrysler employees.) I was definitely the first one to order one at my dealer. I really love the appearance of the Cherokee, the fact that it is different, and stands out in a crowd. My brother has both a Wrangler and a Patriot but everybody has one of those. I disagree with you that the TrailHawk is the better looking of the Cherokees. I could have ordered a loaded TrailHawk for less money than the loaded Limited I did order if I had really wanted one. Each trim level has something unique about it so each stands out in its own way. BTW, I have an early build and have had only one minor problem with it. It was taken care of by Chrysler and my dealership. My 9 speed transmission has been perfect. If I were to total my Cherokee Limited ADII 3.2L I would buy another 2014 Cherokee in a New York Minute. The only reason I would not buy a 2015 is that I do not like the start/stop technology. I doubt very highly that they are going to make any significant changes to the Cherokee in the near future for two reasons: 1. When the Cherokee was introduced at the New York Auto Show it was said that the design was for the long haul. (It was hinted that the design was to be for 9 years with only minor changes.) 2. Why mess with a top seller? Toledo can sell every Cherokee it can build.

Even JP magazine which was the most boisterous about the Cherokee design has started to come around. Change always takes a while to accept.

Oh, btw, the rumblings I hear in Michigan are that more of the Cherokee design features may show up in the Grand Cherokee.
 
#4 ·
I debated whether I wanted to reply to you because I have e feeling you are just trolling.
I understand where that sentiment comes from, but I assure you, I am not. I hate the concept of trolling. It is a waste of time and childish. I mean absolutely no disrespect.


I really love the appearance of the Cherokee, the fact that it is different, and stands out in a crowd. My brother has both a Wrangler and a Patriot but everybody has one of those.
I actually agree with you. Thats why I bought and modified one of these:



Unfortunately I had way too many problems with the skyslider roof breaking and Chrysler agreed to buy it back. I just ordered its replacement - a 2015 Wrangler Unlimited in a color that has been made fun of in the Wrangler Info thread multiple times. "Minivan brown" some call it. "That color doesn't belong on a Jeep!" I like it partially because I'll be one of the few to have that color.





BTW, I have an early build and have had only one minor problem with it. It was taken care of by Chrysler and my dealership. My 9 speed transmission has been perfect. If I were to total my Cherokee Limited ADII 3.2L I would buy another 2014 Cherokee in a New York Minute.
I am incredibly happy to hear that people are not having major issues with the new platform, new engine, new drivetrain, new everything that make up the KL.

I doubt very highly that they are going to make any significant changes to the Cherokee in the near future for two reasons: 1. When the Cherokee was introduced at the New York Auto Show it was said that the design was for the long haul. (It was hinted that the design was to be for 9 years with only minor changes.) 2. Why mess with a top seller? Toledo can sell every Cherokee it can build.
I wish I could find the picture that someone photoshopped, where they brought the headlights up and merged them with the driving lights. It looked perfect.
 
#5 · (Edited)
I understand that some people don't like the looks of the Cherokee - and that's OK. But the market is giving Jeep good feedback on the vehicle so don't look for a major remake to sell to the few who don't like the current package.

Frankly I have liked the looks of the Cherokee better from the start than I ever did my Liberty in the 12 years I owned it. IMHO, the Liberty was too tall for it's length, width and wheelbase....and I had the factoy upgraded wheels and upsized tires on it, but it still looked tippsy.

Desert Hiker
 
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#6 ·
The only reason I purchased a 2015 Cherokee Limited, V6, ADII, loaded was for the looks. I like different and this Cherokee is different. As for the stop/start.... I'm really liking it. I've been at traffic lights and stopped in traffic where I could see watch my PMG drop (according to the on board computer) on my 2011 GC. I don't see any issue with the Stop/Start. I will say that it takes some getting used to as does the active cruise.

Just my $.02 worth.
 
#7 ·
I think whether you like the start/stop depends on the type of driving you like and/or grew up with. I grew up in the Detroit area where muscle cars and performance was king. It was Woodward Avenue/Ted's and Northline Road and the abandoned runway out at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Friday and Saturday night meant only one thing, cruising. To this day I value performance over mpg. I am not gas mileage crazy. I am willing to pay a bit more in fuel costs to get performance. I know others are very fuel cost conscience but sorry that is just not me.
 
#8 · (Edited)
I bought the KL because there is nothing that looks like it. I have never followed the crowd, My last car was an HHR (gutless) before that a turbo vw bug Loved that, super fast. before that a Camaro. Camaro owners know what I mean when I say Camaro ride. The Cherokee W/adII rides like a Camaro and in sport mode drives like one, only i can see ahead of the car in front of me....much luv for my Limited
 
#13 ·
The cherry red of my 2014 cherokee is so close to the 79 Camaro I build when I was 19, I could not have got any other color!

I have put over 31000km (about 20k miles) on my KL with no problems. I drive it ever day and love everything about it!

Oh only problem was getting an engine air filter. Had to go into a major city for it.
 
#9 · (Edited)
The Cherokee looks fabulous but it's a bit ahead of its time so the general population isn't all there yet. In a few years there won't be many people complaining about it as the style matures. This isn't a pontiac aztec where not only is the look so out there but it's awful. The design team did a great job and the videos where they are talking about creating a vehicle that looks good not only in 2014 but also in 2019 reflects that.

My guess is that a new KL will debut 3-4 years after the next GC. Maybe a refresh hits in 2018 and a new model in '21-22 but it all depends on sales. My opinion is that the bottom front end could be improved but the rear needs more polishing than anything else. Specifically the trim around the tail lights looks much better in darker model colors (Black, Granite, Red, Navy) than the lighter colors (White, Anvil, Billet) and the curvature at the bottom of the hatch could use an improved flow. Slight modification to the rear bumper could do as well.

I wish I was on the design team for the refresh, I could make the Cherokee look even more amazing than it does today.
 
#10 ·
I am not messing with the looks of mine. I am happy having an original. The 64 1/2 Mustang is still worth the most of the Mustangs as I believe the 2014 Jeep Cherokee will be too. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I wouldn't change a thing on my 2014 Cherokee. I think it looks fine just the way it is.
 
#11 · (Edited)
So heres the deal KL owners. Please don't take offense to this post. I like everything about the KL except for the looks (The Trailhawk is almost an exception.) Specifically the front end. I know I am not alone there.

Now entering its 2nd model year and apparently selling really well, I highly doubt we'll see any "emergency refresh" as some proclaimed when the KL was unofficially leaked last year.

Just curious if anyone has any insider comments or idea of when the KL will get a facelift, and if it is to get a facelift, if it is just going to be some botox or a full blown face transplant.

(I really want to get my girlfriend into a Jeep and out of her Ford Focus. The Renegade is a cool looking little Jeep, but may be a little small.)
Actually there are a lot of vehicles you could choose from if you do not like the style. My last 3 Jeeps 93 Cherokee, 01 Cherokee, and an 04 Grand were all kind of boxy. I was ready for a new Jeep and was looking at the '14 Grand till I could check out the '14 Cherokee which was delayed till October at my local dealer. Had to check out this radical style change on this new vehicle in person.

I was sold both in the inside and outside. Unlike any box Jeep I had in the past. Technology alone blew me away.
The Combination of tech and the break away from the box on styling of what Jeep had been, sold me 100% Considering I am a box kind of guy, my wife almost had me committed. Then she saw it and drove it. Mind you she would never drive any of my last 3 Jeeps. All she said is that's the Jeep! I can not believe Jeep built this vehicle.

My guess is there will not be any refresh other than keeping with the winning style. Some adjustments for sure in the years ahead. I could not see Chrysler going backwards in styling.:)

Limited V6 w/AD2
Tech group, Luxury group, Tow, and Navigation
 
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#12 ·
I will admit the design of the new KL's made me cringe at first. It took me a few weeks to get used to the look in order to really feel comfortable with it. In the end, the Cherokee is progress, a step forward in design and technological integration for the Jeep line.

Yes, the breakover grille is a strong distinguishing mark from the other models. They could have done without it, but I think it give it a unique look on the road. I opted for a Trailhawk for the lift/larger tires to try to bring the two Jeep designs together. I also took in the V6 for the additional power the Jeep needs, the I4 is not enough. I also thought the tires/wheels on the other models looked too small for the body. But, that is a personal preference.

What really sold me on the vehicle is the ride comfort, the capability, the interior amenities and the technology within. I'm just over 100 miles on mine after two weeks (had a 1/2 week vacation out of state) and, like Macfan, following my break-in procedure to the letter. I don't think you're going to find a better vehicle for the money with the same amount of car.

But again, this is all subjective - personal preference will always take sway. Would I have loved a WK2? Of course. I don't, however, have room for one in my life at this moment. Maybe down the line.
 
#14 ·
A KL refresh has been announced for 2016, presumably for the 2017 MY. I wouldn't expect a revolution, just minor tweaks. As others have said, the model is selling too well for major changes. A full redesign is still far away, probably not until 2019 and the 2020 MY.

With 6,000 km, I have been extremely happy with it and (knock on wood :)) have had zero problems so far.
 
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