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Australian MY14 KL Cherokee thread

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108K views 858 replies 50 participants last post by  Gwhat 
#1 · (Edited)
So, I thought I would start a general thread for Aust members with regards to the MY14 KL Cherokee.

I believe Launch Date is June 5th (but I could be wrong).

Regardless, I have pricing and I am a little surprised at the numbers and not in a good way. I guess I was expecting a more aggressive approach with regards to the pricing but that is not to be.

So models and their RRP are:

Sport
RRP: $33,500 - 2.4L Tigershark

Longitude (otherwise known as the Latitude in the US) - 3.2L V6 Pentastar
RRP: $39,000

Limited
RRP: $44,000 - 3.2L V6 Pentastar
Jeep Active Drive I (AWD in other words)

And here's the kicker below....

Limited
RRP: $49,000 - 2.0L Turbo Diesel :(
However, it has Active Drive II (4WD system with Low)

Trailhawk - 3.2L V6 Pentastar
RRP: 47,500
Active Drive Lock (4WD with Low)

This AllPar article explains the difference: (Scroll down to the 4 Wheel Drive System section)

2014 Jeep Cherokee SUV: modern midsize SUV

All models come with the ZF 9-speed transmissions unlike the UK who have the option of a 6-speed transmission.

The various options have been packaged as such:

Technology Group - $3000
Option only available with Limited and T/H

Electronics Convenience Group - $900
Option available for Longitude, Limited and T/H (Not for Sport)

Uconnect 8.4N AM/FM/BT/Nav - $2,500
Standard on the Limited - Option for the Longitude

Luxury Group - $1500 (only available with the Limited but is your Vented Seats with perforated Nappa Leather)

Panoramic roof - $1900
Option available for Limited and T/H

I think I have interpreted the doc correctly.

So that means for us and the order that we will be placing is:

Limited with 2.0L Turbo Diesel - $49,000
Optioned with:

Tech Group - $3,000
Electronics Group - $900
Pano Roof - $1,900

So $54,800 before On Roads and dealer.

Kill me now... :eek: :lol:

Anyone else purchasing?
 
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#6 · (Edited)
Yeah, it is getting up there but for that money it would be a fairly 'bare' GC.

As far as a the KL goes, for that money, it gives us everything that our Aussie spec'ed GC Overland has (ACC, BSM... blah blah blah, except for the vented seats - $1500 option for those so not going to take up on that) plus:-

- Parksense front and rear assist with stop (the 'stop' bit being the difference between our Overland and the KL)
- Lane Departure Warning
- Parallel and perpendicular parking assist with stop
- 230V/50hz auxlilary power outlet
- Remote start
- Wireless charging pad (but you do need to purchase a Qi cradle yourself)

So quite a few more 'bells and whistles' for the dosh compared to the GC that the same money would buy.

I know you hate the look of them Snuke, but I really love the look. I do not want to drive a generic 'vanilla' looking alternative that would be either the Forester, the Rav or the CX5. I really don't.

IBAJ

You are one game lady! I don't think I could have 2 Jeeps. Particularly considering the parts situation in Australia, and the Cherokee being a new model.
You know the saying about eggs all in one basket. ...
:lol::lol: I know the saying but a more applicable one (for us anyway) would be 'Better the devil you know...'

We already have two Jeeps and this will be the third. We talk about selling '07 WK Hemi and that may happen if we ever get around to it but definitely a case of 'Better the devil...' :D

Being realistic, delivery will not be until Aug/Sept (probably Sept). Will be placing the order on Monday hopefully. Just need to argue over exterior/interior colours during the weekend.

Just adding as well - fuel economy figures for the Limited 3.2 V6 Pentastar - combined 10.0 (that is what is being published). No Aust figures for the 2.0L Turbo Diesel yet but looking at the Jeep UK site they are publishing a combined 5.8 figure so if that is true, it softens the blow a little for the extra $5k being asked for the TD.
 
#7 ·
I reserve ultimate judgement until I see one in the flesh, but the pics are not kind.
 
#9 ·
Saw a Cherokee today at the Waitara dealership. It looked better in the flesh than in the photos. Also picked up a nice new colour brochure booklet on it. The first half of the booklet is right way up and the second half is upside down, so you have to turn the booklet upside down and start from the back which is the front now...clever.

The prices also startled me when i sat down at home. Another competitor you missed SJ&L is the new Nissan X-Trail, top spec model is around $48k on road loaded with a lot.
 
#10 ·
Trigger pulled... :thumbsup:

Limited with CRD in True Blue exterior with Moroccan Black interior plus:

- Tech pack
- Pano
- Electronics pack

On Road - $60,500

Now for the wait. Expecting delivery (my guess) Sept.
 
#11 · (Edited)
i was considering a cherokee but at that price, i would say no. i would rather save a few more dollars and get a grand cherokee limited diesel.

an equivalent spec'ed US limited in a 3.2, with lux, sunroof, trailer, technology is 38920USD = 42045AUD so almost a 50% markup if you are paying 60500 onroad

when spec'ing up a grand cherokee the price differential between USD and AUD is about 35% extra
 
#16 ·
#17 ·
Indeed. Like these:

- Remote Start
- Lane Departure Warning
- Parksense Front and Rear with Stop
- Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist with Stop
- Wireless Charging Pad
- 230v auxillary power outlet

:)
 
#18 ·
Hold ur horses! Don't put too much faith in JEEPS ads. We all have first hand experience with JGC, don't we?

JEEP says premium navigation yet AUS says 2012 map is what u see, wha u get. Every time when I drive to an unfamiliar place, I've to stick garmin on windscreen, not happy jane! JEEP says premium alarm system, yet AUS says it's normal w/o panic alarm; JEEP says Uconnect is most advanced, feature packed infotainment system, yet, AUS says it's normal voice command navigation not function; normal that lock door with sound does not function....JEEP says level of attention to details manifested yet window rubber trim on my car looks like 2nd hand, even dealer says it needs to be replaced, still waiting for parts.....

My advise is wait till u see it in the flesh, what u see/touch/feel is what u get.
 
#21 ·
Ok, In a right direction. But wait till u go through all features in working order, acclaimed by JEEP. The key is it does not distinguish itself from grand cherokee, and somewhat overshadowed by big brother, unlike land cruiser, prado, rav4, all of which are unique in their own rights at least visually.
 
#25 · (Edited)
Test drove one yesterday. Well, actually two as the first one had some odd rotational knocking coming from the front right and left rear when I drove it over about 40 (not a good start)

Based on pics, I wasn't sure I'd actually like the front but I must say, they look much better in the flesh and dare I say it, dates the GC a little. I viewed the sport and two longitudes angled parked next to a new GC Larado which made it quite easy to compare front/rear and sides after I drove one out. I couldn't say the Cherokee looked like a baby GC, it has it own rear and distinct front but on side profile, resembled a GC.

Interior wise, the dash is baby GC but looks more upmarket with the stitching across the dash top even on sport model although the standard centre screen is a little small/low rent, door trims and seats are more in keeping with funkier SUVs but still have nice wood like trim and of course, the front passenger seat has the storage underneath and folds down.

Spec wise some oddities, I'm only bothered with the longitude though. Push button start is an option and appears to be part of a whopping $3k tech pack, does give remote start though. Electric tailgate is standard, I'd prefer push/remote start over electric tailgate like Laredo myself. Reverse sensors and a dealer fit (I suspect dodgy) reverse cam. Was told it had heated mirrors too but not sure on that, it did have a button to fold mirrors in when parking. Not sure what is and isn't correct though as the two sales people I spoke too didn't appear to be up to speed on the specs and had only just come back from the sales familiarity course in Melbourne which seemed to consist of driving the trail hawk through muddy tracks!

Took a second latitude for a test drive, first thing I noticed was the footwell was fairly small, no foot brake as it's electric, but also no room for one and I don't recall a foot rest. Can't say much about how it drives, but for 200kw, it's fairly docile but what did surprise me was the lower gear shifts were quite noticeable. Ride was reasonably firm, but not unnecessarily so and On par with a new RAV4 I had for two days.

So, what I did next was drove a GC Laredo for comparison purposes , apart from the immediately noticeable size difference, the GC gave a more commanding view of the road, it's trans was way smoother (it was a demo with 2k on the clock so run in nicely) and the ride were appreciably more refined in my view.

Two things that I was a little surprised by was its fuel economy, only .4/litre less than a petrol GC and secondly the price, quoted $43k drive away for a latitude, I'm sure they can improve on this a fair bit though but it's not far off base GC pricing.

I walked away still preferring the GC but Cherokee is a nice compromise if you like the handsome Jeep look but the wife likes a smaller vehicle :)
 
#26 · (Edited)
Good review Kizz302.

- the screen on the Sport is the 5". Hate it being so small but that is because I come from the Grand. The Limited has the 8" so that was a 'no choice' option for us.

- The Reverse Camera (Parksense tm) is standard and factory fitted on the Trailhawk and Limited.

It is a 'Late Availability' option for the Sport and Longitude according to Jeep AU website. (I sense more grief coming here akin to the Laredo GC owners debarcle with regards to the rear camera). I read this in the spec's and thought ... 'Here we go again... I'm not sure what 'late availability' means in regards to timelines but I sincerely hope the that Park Sense camera is delivered as per the specs to buyers of the Sport and Longitude. It is interesting to note, that not a word nor pic of the reversing camera is mentioned in the brochure.

- And yes, there is no foot rest.

If you only needed one vehicle then the Grand would be the obvious choice. As a second smaller vehicle, it is perfect.

As far as fuel economy goes, the 2.0L CRD is coming in at 5.8/100 combined although is a late release - probably looking at Sept/Oct 2014.
 
#27 ·
the front passenger seat has the storage underneath
Just adding further with regards to the 'flip 'n stow' storage under the front passenger seat - if you opt for Vented seats (Lux option on the Limited), then you lose this stowage. That is where they put the fan unit.
 
#28 · (Edited)
Hi SJandL, I was travelling to Wilpena pound last week in my GC limited and a convoy of approx 10 new Cherokees were travelling in the opposite direction, looked quite nice in the flesh. When we arrived at Wilpeena pound there were probably another 15 to 20 Cherokees parked at the pound, of all models and colours and all Victorian registered. Went to the carpark trying to find someone to have a chat but not a person in sight.

Graeme
 
#29 ·
Hi SJandL, I was travelling to Wilpeena pound last week in my GC limited and a convoy of approx 10 new Cherokees were travelling in the opposite direction, looked quite nice in the flesh. When we arrived at Wilpeena pound there were probably another 15 to 20 Cherokees parked at the pound, of all models and colours and all Victorian registered. Went to the carpark trying to find someone to have a chat but not a person in sight.

Graeme
I would have liked to see that sight Graeme. :)

I think you must have seen the media launch. They flew them from Adelaide to Hawker field to test the Sport and then on to Willow Springs station to test the Trailhawk.
 
#31 ·
I am thinking about buying a Limited, but our dealer doesn't have one to look at.

The Limited has interior "premium accent inserts" - I have looked online and in the brochure but just what is the difference ?

I was pleasantly surprised how nice the KL was to drive. Lots of tech available which is good. Loved the uConnect system.
 
#32 ·
Hi Softsand and welcome to JG. :)

With regards to the 'Premium Interior Accents - XSV code' listed against the Limited vs the Longitude I'm not sure either. It's a bit vague in its description isn't it. :lol:

It is not a code that Milous has listed anywhere in his '14 or '15 specs that I can find either but maybe he can help if he sees this post.

Milous - can you shed any light on the specifics of the XSV code for us if possible?

It is page 3 of this Australian spec PDF - Limited versus Longitude (US Latitude)

http://www.jeep.com.au/en/2014/cherokee/model_specs.pdf

Many thanks. :)
 
#41 ·
Hi all, just put the deposit down on a trailhawk with tech kit, hoping for delivery Friday but expecting it will push out. I'm not an offroader but I like the Jeep, I test drove 2 limiteds and loved the smooth ride and tech layout.

Looking forward to being part of the Jeep community!
 
#43 · (Edited)
Delivery Friday. That's a brave call. :D

I have read your too-ing and fro-ing on WP. Happy that you managed to get into one - a TH no less. :thumbsup:

Keep us updated (with pics - that is obligatory on JG) when you take delivery and hoping all goes smoothly.

Congrats. :)

Oh edited to add: I trust 'The Minister' is happy (?).
 
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