Jeep Cherokee - any experiences?
We're in the market for a new to us tow car but are taking our time looking about. Whilst we would favour a Hyundai Sante Fe or Kia Sorento, those models in our price and age range are like hen's teeth. We have seen a Jeep Cherokee Longitude nearby and as we had never considered Jeep before. Does anyone have any experience of a Cherokee (not the Grand, just the normal) and if so, could you share your experiences? We are looking at 2013+.
Many thanks in advance
Comments
-
I have a 2016 Santa Fe and love it. I did test drive the Grand Jeep Cherokee (not what you intended, I know) when considering options. The off-putting factors (which may not be relevant to you) were a 3.0 petrol engine seemed a bit thirsty and I didn't like the foot pedal 'hand brake'
other than that, seemed a well-equipped and good drive.
0 -
I have a Grand Cherokee 3ltr crd it's not new late 2005 and it's the best tow car that I've ever had deals with any situation, towing 1800kg I get approx 22.5mpg solo around town 25mpg motorway on cruise control at 70mph 30-35mpg depending on the traffic.They have a Merc engine and box, however new ones are now built by Fiat and have their own system.
Try gocaravanning.com they have tow car details
Paul
0 -
I to have a Grand Cherokee but mine is the WJ (late 2004)
Looking at the spec on the 2013 Cherokee it makes a very good tow car, bags of grunt.
But I will say find out where your nearest dealer is, and then try and avoid them like the plague...... I dont have any time for them, I think thats where the term "Main Stealers" originated, and parts are not cheap (well not for mine anyhoo!)
But I love my Jeep, its had a few issues, but sorted now, and tows beautifully. 60mph + cruise control + twin axle caravan = 27mpg
2 -
We had an older Cherokee, 4.0 litres, but duel fuelled with LPG. One of the best cars we ever owned, used it to tow thousands of miles. Comfy, fast when not towing, plenty of tug when it is. We now have two Wranglers, love the Jeep brand. Don't touch a Renegade, this is a Fiat in drag, we were not impressed when we had a brand new one as a courtesy car, although admittedly the two wheel drive version. We have had no issues with spares, etc... Pentagon dealers vary in how good they are, just be careful.
Moonstone, I have just noticed you are based in East Yorks, so Doncaster won't be too far. Jeep Pentagon on Wheatley Road are good, don't go to the Pentagon garages in Barnsley or Sheffield, they are not very good.
1 -
Thanks will give them a try.
0 -
Thanks all, still struggling to find something in our price range. Still like the thought of the Jeep, but tbh, there is a lack of information relating to towing with one which deters me slightly. (Also none of the ones for sale have a towbar - although they could be detachable and thus not in the pics!)
0 -
The deed is done - today purchased a 2015 Jeep Cherokee Limited, collect Wednesday. Only hoping we've done the right thing
. Love the car, but nervous about it pulling the van despite it being almost a perfect match via the CC site. Has really mixed reviews on the car sites but fingers crossed it's good. Wish us luck x1 -
I don't think you will regret your purchase Moonstone. We had one as a courtesy car a few weeks ago, very nice. We moved from Land Rovers to Jeeps, and despite still loving LRs, have never had cause for regret. You seem to get such a lot for your money. We are on our fourth and fifth at the moment (the fourth is actually our first, we have had it for 15 years, too reliable and useful to get rid of!)
Enjoy yourself.
1 -
We had a 55 plate Cherokee Ltd. 2.8L diesel (Motari), 5speed auto with a great range of drive modes including full time 4wd. It was a lovely car and we towed around Europe and UK for 7 years. It always felt solid as a rock. Kerb weight over 2tonne. The model you have would have been produced under Fiat ownership and I'm not really that familiar with it. It may have the Fiat engine which I understand is another really good lump. Hope it's as good as ours was.
1 -
Thank you - seems ok so far on the few miles I've done in it. Towbar fitting booked for Wednesday, then booked the weekend away for a test run with the van on. Have to say - bit overwhelmed with all the new technology in the car, hope I can cope
0 -
First tow yesterday Hull to Pickering. Averaged 34mph which seemed good to us especially in heavy rain. Couple of steep hills en route but the Jeep didn't have any problem. Good acceleration and a steady tow. Quite impressed so far.
Only one problem - for some reason it wouldn't reverse, although it was probably user error as hubby couldn't find the switch to turn off parking aid. Mover to the rescue - probably for the best in the dark and heavy rain. Will try reverse again on journey home.
0 -
If it was user on the part of your better half, im sure you offered to leap into the driver's seat to show off your own prowess ..... 😉
'Parking aid' ...... you mean just parking sensors? Don't know about the Jeep, but not all vehicles are fitted with an 'off switch' & not all vehicles are clever enough to auto turn sensors off when hitched up
0 -
I did mean parking aid - there is a camera at the rear as well as parking sensors. There is a button to switch it off on the control panel but at the time he was just unable to find it. I was at the rear in position for guiding onto the pitch. The brakes on the car all locked on and the car would not move. We think we should disable the aid when towing. The site owner was trying to 'help' and as I said it was dark and pouring with rain and we just wanted to get set up. Will try again when we we up to go home as it will be light.
Has anyone got any similar experiences using a reversing camera when towing - obviously works fine when solo.
0 -
Moonstone, I have a Grand Cherokee 3ltr crd late 2005 and yes I have had to sort out a few problems but I think that was down to previous owners not having it serviced correctly. But it's a great tug. It's got a 3.5 ton towing limit, the only thing which you will get used to is the light steering. Previous van was 1900kg and current one 1800kg and no problems towing. Enjoy the comfort and cruise controlThe rear parking sensors should be switched off whilst towing
0 -
Thank you Crusader for your comments - have noted your suggestion for the parking sensors
0 -
a bit late to this post. reverse emergancy braking can be perminantly turned off in setting but be careful when revesing after altering this. i turned mine of so can back up to hitch. the jeep is a great tow and mine pulls 1800kg with ease. see pic.
0 -
Had 3 jeep Cherokees 2005 KJ, 2009 KK and the new (Fiat) KL 2014, strangely ignored by the press and clubs as a towcar. I have found them to be excellent value and capable towcars. the KL is one of the few current crop small/mid sized SUV's that can be specced with low range. Decent noseweight spec too. 1600Kg with 100Kg noseweight no problem.
0 -
I am now on my third grand cherokee 3ltr diesel and can honestly say that they are unbeatable for towing . Latest version which is the VM engined Fiat is a very powerful high torque setup which plays with our 2000kg buccaneer. If you are in the market for a comfortable go anywhere pull anything cruiser you will not get anything better for your money....believe me.
2 -
Almost two years on, we live the Cherokee. The only fault is with the alarm. It cannot be disabled therefore on ferries we have to leave the car unlocked so the alarm doesn’t go off and flatten the battery. An initial problem with the caravan fridge when towing has now been resolved through Jeep diagnostics. Otherwise great tow car, very comfortable with lots of useful extras.
0 -
I read somewhere that if you open the drivers for and press the lock button 3 time in quick succession then shut the door you lock with no alarm. Seems to work with 2014 model when leaving dog in car( not in summer!)
Agree it is a good towcar, plan to replace with another. one of the few modern medium SUVs to offer a low range option which even land rover does not in similar sized SUVs. Under rated and under priced bargain towcar compared to the competition.
0 -
I think you’ll find that process disables the internal movement sensor but the external alarm sensors will still work.
0 -
Tried that - doesn’t work as per Tinwheeler’s reply 😕
0 -
That doesn’t work either - a rocky crossing and alarm goes off = flat battery. Believe me, we have tried alsorts but according to Jeep, it can’t be disabled and frustrating as it is, we have to trust them. When you’ve sat on a freezing cold car deck on the ferry for two hours waiting for Dutch breakdown to come and break into your car, you tend to try and find solutions.
0 -
OK. your towing a caravan and the caravan has a battery. lock the car as normal but flick the bonnet open and have jump leads ready and remove van battery to use to start car at destination. not the perfect solution but will get you started to continue your journey without the wait for breakdown.
.0
