New vs Used: Jeep Cherokee
You’ve saved up for a vehicle and chose the Jeep Cherokee. Now, the question is: do you go with a new or a used Jeep Cherokee? We’ll help you decide.
What’s Old Is New Again
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The Jeep Cherokee has been in production since 1974, so it’s gone through quite an evolution. After a brief hiatus, Jeep started using the Jeep Cherokee name again, starting with the 2014 model. With vehicles dating back decades, there are plenty of used Jeep Cherokees to choose from. For the purposes of this article, I’ll look at the 2014 Jeep Cherokee. It was that 2014 Cherokee that kicked off the fifth generation of the off-roading marvel.
Of course, the 2022 Jeep Cherokee has all the latest technology in it. There are new integrations. No longer does being in a car mean being disconnected from the rest of the world. Despite those upgrades and conveniences, sometimes going used is the better option. The 2014 model includes some modern updates, but has a lower price tag than a brand-new 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The prices range between around $15,000 to approximately $27,000 for low mileage listings on Cars For Sale. A new 2021 Jeep Cherokee has a starting MSRP of $28,135, so there’s definitely a chance to save some money. Is it worth it though? Or, is this one of those instances where spending a bit more money pays off? Let’s find out.
New vs. Used Jeep Cherokee Specs
Every 2014 Jeep Cherokee comes with a 9-speed automatic transmission that can be mated with a 2.4L inline-4 engine, or with a 3.2L V6. The 2.4L makes 184 horsepower and puts out 171 lb-ft of torque. The 3.4L V6 makes 271 horsepower, putting out 239 lb-ft of torque. That extra power comes at the expense of some gas mileage. The inline-4 gets the best gas mileage of the bunch at 22 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. All of the 2014 used Jeep Cherokee models are available in FWD or 4WD, so miles to the gallon varies a bit based on which drivetrain you choose. The 2.4L bests the 3.4L in every drivetrain configuration by at least two mpg, though. The V6 model in the 2014 Jeep Cherokee may lose out on some gas mileage, but, when properly equipped, it can tow 4,500 pounds. The 2014 Jeep Cherokee is a bit larger than the 2021 Jeep Cherokee. It measures in at 15.1′ long, 5.6′ tall, and 6.4′ wide. 2021 models measure smaller at 15.1′ long, 5.5′ tall, and 6.1′ wide.
The drivetrain on the 2021 Jeep Cherokee models didn’t change. Each is still available in FWD or 4WD, depending on trim level. The powertrain options consist of the standard (and rather weak) 2.4L four-cylinder engine or the 3.2L V6. An additional option is the turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine. That turbo four-cylinder puts out 270-horsepower with 295 lb-ft of torque. The 2.4L puts out just 180-horsepower with 171 lb-ft of torque. The V6 makes a respectable 271-horsepower and 239 lb-ft of torque. All engines are, again, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. No big change in the towing capacity, as the maximum for the V6 is still listed at 4,500 lbs. The four-cylinder turbo has a smaller tow capacity at 4,000 lbs. 2021 models have slightly gas mileage than the 2014 Cherokee. FWD models can reach 23 mpg in the city. On the highway, those same 2021 FWD models can get as much as 31 mpg.
Driving & Performance
The 2014 Jeep Cherokee performs fine. The 2.4L four-cylinder is a little slow. It can have issues going uphill. It takes some effort to make it. The V6 doesn’t struggle going up inclines. The steering is stiff and there’s not an excessive amount of body lean when going into curves. Both are improvements with better road manners than previous models. Neither are standouts on the road, though. It’s off the road where they truly shine. New independent front and rear suspension in the 2014 model help them handle steep inclines, the sand, and packed down dirt. The 9-speed transmission isn’t exciting, but does shift easily enough. Overall, it’s a smooth, pleasant ride on the paved roadway and a lot of fun off of it.
Moving onto the 2021 Jeep Cherokee, it’s easy enough to realize there’s not a lot of difference between the models. None of them are going to win a race, but the new turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder option, with more torque, is more energetic. There’s still some body lean around turns, but the ride and handling are good. All three of the 4WD setups have a five-mode Selec-Terrain traction management system. The Trailhawk trim also has all-terrain tires, mechanical locking differential, and off-road suspension. The Jeep Cherokee (from either year) may not compare to the Jeep Grand Cherokee in off-roading capability, but it is better than other crossovers in its class.
Comfort & Interior
2014 models, which fit five people, raised the level of upscale in the Jeep Cherokee with cloth or Nappa leather-trimmed seats. The ergonomically designed seats are comfortable, with good support. Top-tiered trims have power-adjustable, heated and ventilated seats with memory settings. The second-row seats move forward or backward and have a 60/40 split when folding down. When flat, the cargo space increases from 24.6 cu-ft to 54.9 cu-ft. The technology is impressive throughout the vehicle. Base models have a 5” touchscreen or available 8.4” touchscreen. An optional 7” instrument cluster is easy to read. Wireless-device charging, satellite navigation, and a CD player are all available as well.
Jumping ahead to 2021, the Jeep Cherokee models still have plenty of soft-touch plastics and storage spaces. The standard touchscreen is now 7”, and it’s compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Uconnect 4 setup upgrades the screen to 8” and has Alexa skills integration. Seating for five is still fairly roomy. The cargo size increases in the 2021 Jeep Cherokee, totaling 25.8 cu-ft when the seats are still up. That is smaller than most other vehicles in its class, but it’s larger than the 2014 model. With the rear seats lowered, owners of the 2021 Jeep Cherokee can fit luggage into 54.7 cu-ft of space. Overall, the 2021 Jeep Cherokee is a comfortable cabin with some soft-touch surfaces, a good layout, and straightforward dash. There could always be more room, but high-quality materials on the armrests, steering wheel, upper instrument panel, and seats provide an upscale vibe in the 2021 Cherokee. Rear seat materials, headroom, and legroom all help make for this ride a comfortable one.
Trims & Features
Both the 2014 and 2022 Jeep Cherokee have several trims, but some were removed from the lineup and others were added. A 2014 used Jeep Cherokee comes as the Sport, Latitude, Limited, or Trailhawk. 2021 models said goodbye to the Sport. Instead, they added the Latitude Plus and Latitude Lux. The 2014 Jeep Cherokee Sport has cloth upholstery, a 5″ touchscreen, Bluetooth, and a USB port. It’s available in FWD or 4WD. Actually, all of the 2014 trims, except the Trailhawk, are offered in either drivetrain.
At the Cherokee Latitude trim level, drivers are offered an available V6 engine. The Limited and Trailhawk models have several driver assists, like: blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, parallel parking assist, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision warning with brake assist. The Limited also adds an 8.4″ touchscreen, rearview camera, and dual-zone climate control.
Upholstery on the upper trims is leather. Front seats are heated, and the driver’s seat is power-adjustable. Going up to the Cherokee Trailhawk adds skid plates and an inch of ride height due to taller tires and a beefed-up suspension.
Standard infotainment features in the base 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude include: a 7″ touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, voice recognition, and a six-speaker stereo. There’s quite the list of advanced safety features that come standard in every 2021 Jeep Cherokee as well. Everything from blind spot monitoring and parking assists to collision warnings and emergency braking. One would be hard pressed to find a longer list of driver assists that come standard in every trim level.
The Latitude Plus gains keyless entry and ignition, heated front seats, satellite radio, fog lights, and a nine-speaker stereo system. Seats are made of cloth and vinyl upholstery. The driver’s seat is also eight-way power adjustable. Available packages for the Latitude Plus include an 8.4″ touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, a 7″ digital instrument cluster, and household-style power outlet. A power liftgate, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a universal garage door opener are also part of that package. Nappa leather is thrown into the Jeep Cherokee Latitude Lux. The front passenger gets a power-adjustable seat here, too.
Moving into the 2021 Jeep Cherokee Limited trim means the addition of a self-dimming rearview mirror, a powered tailgate, and adaptive cruise control with stop/go. The purchase also includes 18″ alloy wheels. Seats are leather and the driver’s chair has memory settings. A 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk has 17″ all-terrain tires, off-road suspension, and tow hooks. The focus in all design decisions for the Trailhawk is definitely on off-roading, plowing through water, snow, or some other material. The upholstery is cloth and vinyl.
A Chance to Save Some Money
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Going used doesn’t always make sense, but, in this instance, why not? A top-of-the-line 2014 used Jeep Cherokee is updated enough that it’s safe, connected, and still relatively new. Of course, the 2021 Jeep Cherokee has even more features, but they aren’t all needed. Plus, you’ll be paying for them.
When going used, I’d go with a 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited. It’s got a variety of driver assists and advanced safety features. The more luxurious seats and materials are enticing, too. It’s possible to find a good deal on a 2014 Limited with relatively low mileage and most of the features a newer model would come with. The bonus is that the extra cash stays in your bank account.
Want to do some additional Jeep Cherokee reading? Click on our 2021 Jeep Cherokee review or our 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee review for even more in-depth analysis on the model. There are more New vs. Used comparisons to look at as well, including: the Subaru Outback, the Toyota Highlander, and the Ford Escape.
