2014 cherokee goes off roading
04-04-2013, 07:30 AM
#196
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I actually hadn't notice you edited your comment, so now that I've seen it I might as well respond.
That's an interesting perspective and a good point to consider. I can find some similarities between the two re-imaginings of the Cherokee brand:
Driveline and suspension changed to more modern technology - In the first shift the brand went through suspension changes, like you said, as well as going for a more economical drive train. Lighter components and more fuel efficient engine were significant improvements. The same can be said about the XJ to the Whatever - the FWD/AWD system is technically interesting and the Pentastar engine is leaps and bounds ahead of the I6 for efficiency (longevity remains a question)
Styling changed to target current market - Large, bulky, rounded beast, that is essentially a full-size truck from the 70s, transformed into a small 80s boxy thing. Now the new version is some kind of alien bug like everything else out there.
However, this is where the re-imaginings differ:
Realizing competition with pickups from the big 3 wasn't working that well, moving to the smaller XJ platform was beneficial to Jeep. IMO it actually worked better with their brand as the lighter unibody XJ is more nimble. Something that's absolutely crucial is that it is still aiming at a very similar market as before. Advertising reflected this: Jeeps were for off road adventure.
With the new Cherokee, they are not targeting people who want to have an adventure; they're aiming for people who want to feel adventurous, without actually having to go on adventures. The new Cherokee's features and styling show this strongly. It's not more nimble. It doesn't have more cargo capacity. What it is is more comfortable and more efficient. And advertising reflects this lack of "Jeepness" as well: Driving over dirt roads. Wow. I can actually find more adverse conditions in this urban environment of 130k people.
So instead of people going backwoods camping, Jeep is targeting people that go to the mall with their lattes to buy more stuff from The North Face. This is a HUGE shift in the brand.
My problem is Chrysler rustling up a bunch of noise with "It's baaaaack!", and then dumping that. It's not back. It's nothing like it. It's something else!
That's an interesting perspective and a good point to consider. I can find some similarities between the two re-imaginings of the Cherokee brand:
Driveline and suspension changed to more modern technology - In the first shift the brand went through suspension changes, like you said, as well as going for a more economical drive train. Lighter components and more fuel efficient engine were significant improvements. The same can be said about the XJ to the Whatever - the FWD/AWD system is technically interesting and the Pentastar engine is leaps and bounds ahead of the I6 for efficiency (longevity remains a question)
Styling changed to target current market - Large, bulky, rounded beast, that is essentially a full-size truck from the 70s, transformed into a small 80s boxy thing. Now the new version is some kind of alien bug like everything else out there.
However, this is where the re-imaginings differ:
Realizing competition with pickups from the big 3 wasn't working that well, moving to the smaller XJ platform was beneficial to Jeep. IMO it actually worked better with their brand as the lighter unibody XJ is more nimble. Something that's absolutely crucial is that it is still aiming at a very similar market as before. Advertising reflected this: Jeeps were for off road adventure.
With the new Cherokee, they are not targeting people who want to have an adventure; they're aiming for people who want to feel adventurous, without actually having to go on adventures. The new Cherokee's features and styling show this strongly. It's not more nimble. It doesn't have more cargo capacity. What it is is more comfortable and more efficient. And advertising reflects this lack of "Jeepness" as well: Driving over dirt roads. Wow. I can actually find more adverse conditions in this urban environment of 130k people.
So instead of people going backwoods camping, Jeep is targeting people that go to the mall with their lattes to buy more stuff from The North Face. This is a HUGE shift in the brand.
My problem is Chrysler rustling up a bunch of noise with "It's baaaaack!", and then dumping that. It's not back. It's nothing like it. It's something else!
So I have been defending this thing for awhile with high hopes. While I still think this Jeep will be pretty ok offroad, aka rough forest roads not rock crawling, those stats from Allpar were less then I expected. Now consider that Jeep says the Grand Cherokee (WK2) is its best offroad vehicles (weird right). While I completely understand Jeep has to shift some with the market, it is definitely less and less about its offroad roots. I know that is trying to stay true to them with the trail rated stuff.
This goes way beyond cars and solid axles but there is a shift in culture and therefore the auto industry. People are less about taking their Jeep down a strange unknown road and more about feeling adventurous. Lets get Starbucks and drive on a dirt road to feel like we are in touch with nature and real adventures.
Also I would agree the KL is marketed towards a younger generation, which is why the KL has crazy amounts of gizmos. All that to say, the KL will never be the XJ, but it will be a great Jeep for the wife.
Last edited by beatricethexj; 04-04-2013 at 07:35 AM.
04-04-2013, 07:38 AM
#197
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This goes way beyond cars and solid axles but there is a shift in culture and therefore the auto industry. People are less about taking their Jeep down a strange unknown road and more about feeling adventurous. Lets get Starbucks and drive on a dirt road to feel like we are in touch with nature and real adventures.
Gizmos shmizmos. You can gizmo it up and target many different generations. GPS has universal appeal. Parking assistance has female appeal lol (even my fiancee complains about bad female drivers!). Gadgets are okay as long as they don't **** up - like ABS on JKs lol
04-04-2013, 08:20 AM
#199
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While that is true, take those out and you lose the younger audience. Not include them and a multitude of older people will still buy. Although most people don't notice, or have no idea all the gee whiz features their cars have. So I agree that you target a large audience with the gizmos, you lose part of the market without them.
04-04-2013, 08:36 AM
#200
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Talking to you is like talking to a brick wall. If you can't figure out why I mentioned the Kia soul, read what you wrote above and then my reply.
To answer your question, no, it's not a real Jeep to me and countless others. It's a watered down product that needs the name Jeep and Cherokee on it to sell. Why not call it something else? Because there's name recognition and that's it. It's a Jeep in name only. You're 17 and I don't think you'll ever understand why people are pissed until you're older.
Jeep had meaning, it had soul, and it had character. You didn't drive a Jeep because it had the best mpg, the comfiest ride, whiz bang gadgets, or the best reliability. I don't think you get this part. It means something to those who understand it. This is the line between those who purchase cars like an appliance and those who are diehard enthusiasts.
08-08-2013, 05:05 PM
#202
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lame
this new cherokee is a joke..... it looks like a santa fe, or any other suv.... but more importantly it looks like a GRAND CHEROKEE..... which is just crap... I despise the grands... they're just fugly. did I hear this new cherokee is front wheel drive??? Jeep needs a right hook to the chin. EMBARRASSING!!!! to taint a legendary model like this is just plain disrespectful, it would have been a better option for the girl jeeps, liberty and patriot... but for the XJ tag it's a garlic soaked ice pick shank in the kidney. I'm insulted as much as embarrassed. what's next? the Geo Tracker Jeep TJ???? the Honda CR-V Jeep wrangler??? BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
08-09-2013, 09:39 AM
#204
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Get over it fallas. It is not an xj. It is a KL. Completely different vehicle for a different target customer. I think it is ugly and would never buy one but it will probably sell great. It is a replacement for the caliber and compass which sell pretty well.
08-10-2013, 10:13 AM
#206
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