http://autos.sympa...zing-new-cherokee#

Oops.

Had the same reaction. WTF is Chrysler thinking with this turd burglar?

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it's most certainly polarizing.
i'm not keen on it.

WTf looks like a chevy traverse with a jeep grill

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I think this has the potential to join big names like "Pontiac Aztek" and "Edsel" in the "what the fuck was this manufacturer thinking" club.

It needs to have a package that's offroad capable enough to snorkel it and market those top headlight things as how deep you can go or something like that. Of course, they'd have to think about things like all of those little electrical doodads that they have to hussy up cars with these days.

I miss my XJ.

Posted by wannabeotaku It needs to have a package that's offroad capable enough to snorkel it and market those top headlight things as how deep you can go or something like that. Of course, they'd have to think about things like all of those little electrical doodads that they have to hussy up cars with these days. I miss my XJ.

There can only be one amphibious Dodge...

I am tempted to say, 'You get the car designs you deserve', but even that does not describe how bad this design is. Unless I've missed a US-based style path somewhere... Neko.

Okay, I'm going to explain the background on this now, but I am sure Bandi and others will still won't care.

The "enthusiast" lineup is the Wranger and Wrangler Unlimited. Those can be customized to their desires and what not and actually are at maximun production capacitiy due to sales at Toledo Assembly.

Because of the increased popularity of Subaru, Chrysler decided to go after that market using Jeep. So they created some "ligher, Sportier Jeeps" like the Patriot and Compass. I have no problem with those Jeeps because they still pass the Rubicon Test with a skilled driver, gaining the trail rated badge with that option. Even without that option, the non-Trail Rated Compass And Patriot are great "highway jeeps" And actually, they also are at max production to due to sales. I have no problem with this strategy as statistically, a first time Jeep buyer usually buys another Jeep up the ladder later. And this isn't the first time this ideas was developed; this goes back to AMC with the development of actually the Eagle.

The Liberty on the other hand, which the "Cherokee X" is going to replace was a bastard child from the beginning. Originally, the Liberty was going to be looking simlar to its XJ brethern, but with a newer engine and a IFS system done in Jeep Style. However, during the German occupation of Chrysler by MB, the CEO of DalmlerChrysler was freaked out by the review from Car & Driver on the RAV4, which described as a "Cute SUV". He thought it was the direction all SUVs would be going in 5 years so he requested a re-design of the "KJ", which actually the development team at the old Jeep/Truck Engineering Divison on Plymouth Road in Detroit refused and many employees left the company in protest. What happened was a new development team was created for the "KJ" project using recently laid off Ford engineers who are mostly "yes" men and came up with the KJ Liberty. The KK continues the bastard blood actually by trying to be a "Cute XJ" but falls flat in Sales.

As for the Cherokee X, I think its got merit. Sure its not going to the same as the legendary XJ but that was a different time in cars. Back then, everyone thought AMC was nuts by developing a Unibody Jeep thinking it won't be as awesome as the CJ or Grand Wagoneer. But 17 years of the XJ sales proved that wrong. With the Cherokee X, people are already saying its looks are "not Jeep-like" Same with the XJ. And whats interesting is that it apparently will have both AWD and 4WD in the same transfer case...that would give it a better advantage over Subaru which is AWD only and would interest me as someone who wants a "communter vehicle that can also go up winter roads" Rumored MPG is 20/30 which would be awesome.

No. Goddammit, no. Jeep has 2 cute utes already. The Liberty was......a softer Cherokee. And that was pretty shitty but, eh, I tolerated it. The Grand has gotten softer and softer and softer. Independent suspension all around? Yeah, not exactly what you want out in the sticks, but I digress.

If Jeep needs to build the Patriot and the Compass to keep CAFE standards up so it can crank out Wranglers and Wrangler Unlimiteds (Which should be what the new Cherokee should be based on IMHO) then I get it. Fine. If Jeep was smart it would bring back the Eagle name for it's primarily pavement Jeeps. So that at least SOME amount of dignity could be left. But this is nothing but Name Whoring. That......that fucking thing IS NOT a Cherokee. They have been able to keep the open elements Jeep fairly true, even if I'm not the biggest fan of the JK it still is a decent platform. This thing? No. Not even in the least. I look at that and think of any other midsized cross over puke that isn't competent off road and will be boring on the road. It's the answer to a question that never existed.

I'm not pissed that they built it, I'm pissed that they think it deserves the Cherokee name. I give it a production run of 3 years. And then I'm betting it will be scrapped. Sorry.

Posted by jeepdave I'm not pissed that they built it, I'm pissed that they think it deserves the Cherokee name. I give it a production run of 3 years. And then I'm betting it will be scrapped. Sorry.

^This. It's like what VW did to the current style Jetta... it should have been a new model, not a cheaped-down replacement for a well built car that was selling like crazy to people who loved them. The new Jettas, although good, are pretty damn basic and plain compared to the previous 2 generations, and should have been called a Fox or something, while the Jetta could live on being a premium-ish car. Yes, the 2011+ Jettas are selling like crazy, but most previous Jetta owners have upgraded to Golfs or Passats because they don't want to downgrade their current car to something more basic.

And I KNEW you would defend this piece of uhhh... unique vehicular excrement till the bitter end, Skelly You should get a sales job at Chrysler.

"rumours are it will ride on a car-based platform like the Dodge Dart's."

There's the kicker. It joins the overgrown station wagon stable that is SUV's.

re: independent suspension, last year the the auto show, Jeep was demonstrating all its new models with these obstacles and whatnot that they would take you in rides over. The Wrangler would go up on two wheels over one obstacle, whereas the indy-suspended Jeeps would keep three wheels on the ground (with one on the obstacle, so I guess that's four). So it seems independent suspension is more stable, correct? Probably not as durable, but more stable.

Posted by splumer "rumours are it will ride on a car-based platform like the Dodge Dart's." There's the kicker. It joins the overgrown station wagon stable that is SUV's. re: independent suspension, last year the the auto show, Jeep was demonstrating all its new models with these obstacles and whatnot that they would take you in rides over. The Wrangler would go up on two wheels over one obstacle, whereas the indy-suspended Jeeps would keep three wheels on the ground (with one on the obstacle, so I guess that's four). So it seems independent suspension is more stable, correct? Probably not as durable, but more stable.

Until you get it out of its designed travel. IFS can be capable, I wheeled a Tacoma for years with IFS. But it has its limitations when it comes to travel distance. CV axles are a limiting factor, they just cannot transmit power at extreme angles and hence end up breaking. You simply cannot get long travel out of it without a huge investment. Solid axle stuff can be made to flex easily as well as cheaply.

this thing is awful

I agree, it's a massive disgrace to Jeep and AMC to call it a Cherokee, and just stupid marketing. There are a lot of people who like or liked, or touched themselves when near a Cherokee, (especially after dragging it over some nasty non road) I liked all 3 of mine, mediocre vehicles that they were. So this is messing with fans and customers in a big way.

Build your CUV clone, impractical over styled stupid yuppy yawn mobile, with near zero off road capability and miserable visibility if you must follow the sheep, but find a douchey name, and leave the Cherokee to wander free from roads and corporate idiocy. (Now I'm gonna read Skelly's post )

And no, the new Cherokee will not be using the Dart platform as its going to have it's own platform, the KL platform which will be built at Toledo Assembly.

However, the new Compass when it comes out will be using the Dart platform as the GS platform currently used goes back to Mitsubushi actually and they want to end all support for that platform.

I can't wait for you guys to complain for the 30th Anniversary Caravan :p

Posted by bandi ^This. It's like what VW did to the current style Jetta... it should have been a new model, not a cheaped-down replacement for a well built car that was selling like crazy to people who loved them. The new Jettas, although good, are pretty damn basic and plain compared to the previous 2 generations, and should have been called a Fox or something, while the Jetta could live on being a premium-ish car. Yes, the 2011+ Jettas are selling like crazy, but most previous Jetta owners have upgraded to Golfs or Passats because they don't want to downgrade their current car to something more basic.

Yes! Having been exposed to a lot of MK2 stuff, the old jettas are quite nice they have excellent fit and finish - they feel solid.
the new Jetta feels like the car for everyone with a bit of money the lower models *Gasp* i'd almost rather have something north american.

Not to get off topic but i love the new Dart.

as for the new jeep - Bandi i thought or wished that you were joking when you showed me that picture a couple weeks ago

Thats ridiculous looking...........as is the new corvette