2019 Jeep Cherokee Rental: Quick thoughts & AMA

"DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back" (karsonkinja) 12/06/2019 at 13:17 • Filed to: None

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I’m not so good at long form reviews, plus I don’t have too much to say about it, but ask questions of you have them. A few quick thoughts:

First off, massive massive blind spots. I can see why all these new safety features are considered mandatory by people these days. No wonder crossover drivers get in so many accidents (that might be some personal bias showing).

The auto stop start is incredibly annoying, it makes taking off very jerky as well. If you want it off you have to turn it off every time you get into the car .

I’m pretty sure this one is equipped with the 9speed auto. It sucks. Shifts are hard and constant. It tries very desperately to keep the car between 2-2.5k rpm and fights you if you want to step on it, then it taks quite a while to find the right gear.

Despite the transmission’s best efforts it seems to only be averaging 23mpg, according to the trip computer. Probably because the throttle is mapped to go wide open if you give it any more than 10% on the pedal.

The 9 speed paired with the 2.4l Multi-Air makes for an un-thrilling drive. If you like to go slow, this is the car for you.

Interior quality is so-so. The leather on the seats and steering wheel is nice and is holding up well for 24k presumably hard miles. Everything else is pretty low rent though.

The steering took a lot of getting used to. Very very vague. Reminds me a lot of the ‘99 Suburban my family used to have, except much lighter.

The ride is oddly firm, and it does corner surprisingly well with a shocing absence of the body roll one would expect.

UConnect is decent. Carplay only occupies about 80% of the screen, which seems like a waste.

this is infuriating

Heres an interesting quirk: the volume up/down and track skip/prev buttons are on the back of the steering wheel. I discovered this completely by accident (I thought they were manual mode shift buttons for some reason)

not my picture, the cherokee does not have paddle shifters

Headlights are decent

the ‘O’ in Cherokee has already fallen off the passenger door

All in all, not my cup of tea. I hate being so high. But it is decently equipped and has lots of “convenience” and “safety” features that buyers in this segment demand. To be honest though, I don’t see why anyone would choose a Cherokee over a CX-5 or even a CRV.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 12/06/2019 at 13:26

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I think GM put the volume buttons on the back of the steering wheel, too. One time i went from a Impala to a Passat and kept downshifting in the VW every time I wanted to change a song.

So all-in-all, the Jeep is better than a Compass but not by much. 

HammerheadFistpunch > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 12/06/2019 at 13:34

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I hear the 2.4 paired with the 9 speed is particularly bad.  I’ve only driven the 3.2 and it was fine.

HammerheadFistpunch > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 12/06/2019 at 13:36

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“To be honest though, I don’t see why anyone would choose a Cherokee over a CX-5 or even a CRV.”

V6 option

5000 lb towing option

Optional 2 speed 4wd with locking differential

Not saying those options matter to most people, but they are good reasons.

Chuckles > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 12/06/2019 at 13:38

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My Fiat also has the stereo controls on the back of the steering wheel, as does my dad's Sebring convertible. I'm a fan.

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > Chuckles 12/06/2019 at 13:42

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I don’t hate the implementation, but up until that point I would’ve had no idea they were there.

Chuckles > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 12/06/2019 at 13:44

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Definitely something that you learn by accident or when reading the owner's manual. My dad had his Sebring for months before I told him "I like the volume controls on the back of the wheel, don't you?" His mind was blown.

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > HammerheadFistpunch 12/06/2019 at 13:48

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That is a great point and to be honest I didn’t know those options existed. I didn’t exactly do research...

I probably should amend that to “ I don’ t see why anyone would choose the commuter FWD variant over other options” unless you have some kind of Jeep brand loyalty.

And to your other comment; yes its really bad, unless you have a very light foot and don’t ever feel the need to get anywhere quickly.

Nothing > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 12/06/2019 at 13:50

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We had a new Trailhawk Cherokee as a rental last summer. It had about 600 miles on it when we rented it. The headlights had a fault issue somewhere, which caused them to constantly flicker for a good 5 minutes or so until they calmed down for about 10 minutes, then they would resume flickering again. It was maddening. Along with it just feeling incredibly cheap, the seating position (for me) sucked, and we just couldn’t deal with the headlight issue. We returned it and they put us in a CX9. 

Textured Soy Protein > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 12/06/2019 at 13:54

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The steering wheel buttons like that is a long-time Mopar feature. My mom’s ’96 Town & Country had them back in the day, as did my ’99 and ’05 Grand Cherokees. Kinda like the driver’s door keypads on Fords to get into the car with a code .

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > Nothing 12/06/2019 at 13:55

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Oh man yeah I should’ve mentioned the seating. I’m 6' tall but have short legs so the seat is at ass height and makes it a bit weird to get into. Not only that but the steering wheel doesn’t telescope out very far which makes the whole drivers position feel very odd.

Victorinoo > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 12/06/2019 at 14:05

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Can you try to perform a neutral drop? And if you already have can you describe the result?

M.T. Blake > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 12/06/2019 at 14:06

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23mpg?!?! The Wrangler I rented did 24 over the 300 miles we put on it!!!!

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > Victorinoo 12/06/2019 at 14:09

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I can guess it would go something like “grrrrrunch *BANG*”

Just Jeepin' > Chuckles 12/06/2019 at 14:33

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Any time I rent something with that I hate it. I only ever touch the controls by accident in the middle of a turn. 

Chuckles > Just Jeepin' 12/06/2019 at 14:47

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Switching between vehicles always takes some getting used to. But without having actual data to back it up, I'd guess that I use the steering wheel volume controls 95% of the time that I'm adjusting the volume. At least on my Fiat, they are far enough out of usual hand position that accidental contact is unlikely. It just requires a slight move to use them. 

Victorinoo > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 12/06/2019 at 14:57

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I rented a Chevy Spark once and it had a neutral rev limiter so my neutral drops were not impressive.

Takuro Spirit > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 12/06/2019 at 14:58

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How many miles have you put on it? The 9-speed is a VERY sensitive transmission when it comes to learning people’s driving habits. 9 times out of 10 a re-learn will fix people’s complaints about the way it shifts, usually after they buy it brand new, used, or someone borrows it for a length of time and it learns that other driver’s behaviors.

Takuro Spirit > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 12/06/2019 at 15:01

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Its been a Chrysler thing since the 90's. Unless you read the manual or have been in Chryslers regularly then yeah, who woulda thunk it.

Takuro Spirit > HammerheadFistpunch 12/06/2019 at 15:02

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I drove a 2.4 2WD with the 9-speed. Its not BAD, the engine makes angry growly sounds.

It does like to get confused at low speeds around town, but I live in a hilly area so I mostly drive in manual mode.

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > Takuro Spirit 12/06/2019 at 15:05

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Less than 80 . Its too many gears in my opinion . I know its heresy here on oppo, but every CVT I’ve ever driven is far better than this 9 speed.

Takuro Spirit > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back 12/06/2019 at 15:08

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It probably just programmed to whoever rented it last and rode the gas like an on-off switch.

Plus you’ll almost NEVER see 9th gear, and barely 8th. But when you do the gas savings are worth it.

Until you reach a small incline and it downshifts to 7th or 6th....

i86hotdogs > HammerheadFistpunch 12/06/2019 at 15:54

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I can see it being sluggish in t he Cherokee. It works well in my 200. My only gripe is the short but noticeable delay in downshifting in teh 9 speed. When passing or coming out of a turn, there is a good half-to full second delay to downshift after pressing the gas. Otherwise, my dinky little 200 feels deceptively quick. And I agree with the subtle growl. It makes a decent noise.