2014 Jeep Cherokee: New Design Draws Criticism

12331995-largeJalopnik managed a fast one the other week when they got their hands on leaked photos of the upcoming 2014 Jeep Cherokee.  Originally planned to not be unveiled until the New York Auto Show; the website forced Jeep’s hand in releasing more detailed information about the new vehicle before the debut.  A few shots of the new design made headlines across the auto-blogs and really got people talking.  The most obvious, and most commented on, was the new design.  Such a vast departure from the norm was going to get people’s attention, but it’s a question now of if it was too much.

Forbes breaks down the response so far to the reveal.  “The evolution from the old, boxy Cherokee to the current Liberty and now to this has been pretty stunning in terms of the shape-shifting that we’ve seen, “says Mike Wall who is an auto analyst with HIS Automotive.

The Cherokee is being pulled out of retirement to replace the lagging Liberty.  The Jeep Liberty had done the same back in 2002.  This new Cherokee still includes the trademark Jeep designs such as a seven vertical slat grille, but it stops there.

The lights, for example, have a wholly different look than Jeep fans are accustomed to.   In fact, it may cause drivers that typically drive Jeep to shy away.  This might be the plan.  Hardcore Jeep drivers have already found the Wrangler and the Grand Cherokee to be their preference.  The 2014 Cherokee with a new look may be a play to attract a new breed of Jeep drivers who are looking for something different.

Until more information is released, all that really remains is scrutiny over the little information available.  The pictures certainly paint a picture, but it’s just a segment.  Trying to put together the entire piece right now just seems wrong with so much mystery.

What are your thoughts on the new design?

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Jeep Fans: What to Expect in 2013

Christmas is right around the corner and New Years right behind that. For Jeep fans, a new year beings with it a new outlook for the brand.

Motor Authority has the break down of what to expect from Jeep in 2013. First up will be the big reveal of the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Plans for the unveiling are set for the Detroit Auto Show in January of 2013. Not much is known at this point other than a modern style change. There is a new 3.0 liter V-6 turbodiesel variant known as the “Eco-Diesel.” Estimates have it at 241 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque with 28 mpg fuel economy.

Next up will be the new Liberty Jeep has planned for May 2013. The auto maker wants to help the Liberty capture a whole new part of the driving community by designing it to be more comparable to the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4. In order to accomplish that goal, the new jeep will be lighter and “better behaved on the road” while still having a next generation all-wheel-drive.

After that, at an unspecified date, Jeep will be bringing out a new kit for the Wrangler. What this is exactly is unknown at this point, but there is some rumors. Jeep is only saying that it’ll allow drivers to do something they’ve never been able to do before.

Also on the list for things to happen in Jeep over the course of the year will be replacing the Jeep Compass and the Jeep Patriot. Speculation has it that the platform responsible for this years new Dodge Dart will be used for the crossover.

There will be plenty more details and surprise as the year comes to be. Nice to know what to be excited from Jeep. Check out the current Jeep line-up online at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. You can view our new and pre-owned inventory on our website. Like us on Facebook and follow our Twitter to see more Jeep news and eals!

2014 Jeep Liberty Prototype Spotted!

If you want to see the next generation of cars out in the wild, you might want to stick around the offices of Automobile Magazine. For whatever the reason is, they seemingly have all the luck. Just the other day, they not only got to see a pre-production Buick Encore and a Citroen DS5, but they also managed to catch a glimpse (and some pictures) of the prototype for the 2014 Jeep Liberty.

Cloaked in complete black with no real discernible features didn’t keep the editors at Automobile Magazine from realizing they were getting a sneak peak at something special. Under that disguise, they were able to recognize core features that pointed to this being the future of Jeep. Most notably is that it is similar to a Jeep prototype they caught sight of in April and then there’s also the seven-slot Jeep grille.

The 2014 Jeep is expected to take many of the lessons learned in the 2013 Dodge Dart and put them to use. It’ll likely have a 1.4-liter turbo-four. For buyers looking for more power, a 2.4-liter Tigershark I-4 may be a variant seeing as how it’s also being offered for the Dart. It’s too early to set anything in stone, but definitely expect there to be powerful options as Chrysler-Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne promised that the new Liberty will still be a “trail-rated, full-blooded Jeep.”

No word yet on when to expect any official word on the 2014 Jeep Liberty, but production of said vehicle is slated to begin next year at the Toledo, Ohio plant. Keep current on any news about it by liking us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. You can view the current Jeep line-up online at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge.