Went to look at vehicles last week after taking the Dakota on a 2500 mile round trip to NY. During that trip, I found out the Dakota was not a trip vehicle. Seats hardly recline etc. Don't get me wrong. The Dakota has been a great truck since I've owned it. It just no longer fits my needs.

While in NY, I was able to drive my father's 2014 Patriot. It drove well, but was not for me. Was liking the looks of my mother's 2012 Ford Escape, but the new ones look like crap.

At the dealer I went and looked at Durangos,but the price was a turn off. I also looked at Wranglers. I've wanted a Wrangle for ages, but they aren't practical for me. Then I noticed the 2014 Cherokee. The looks of the vehicle turned me off at first, but then I drove one for a 20 mile test ride and started liking it more and more.

Seats are very comfy. Front and back. Enough cargo space for my needs and the back seats fold flat for more room. During the test drive, the salesman pointed up and showed me the giant panoramic retracting glass roof. Until then I had not noticed, because I was actually enjoying the drive. A 3.2 V6 with 271 hp mated to a 9, yes, 9 speed transmission, 4x4 and is rated at 27 MPG highway.

After 4 hours at the dealer deciding and trying to locate a vehicle, I started paperwork on one. I'll be getting a 2014 Cherokee Latitude V6 4x4. Will have the tow package ( 4500 lbs ) and upgraded 8.4 inch touch nav screen, 9 speaker sound system, and the convenience package. It should arrive at the dealer sometime next week. Will post pics when It's delivered.

 

9 speakers, 9 gears, they giving you 9 cup holders too? 27 mpg is great for a 4x4. Especially compared to our Dakotas.

 

Sounds like a good vehicle spec wise, but I could never get past the looks. Ford escape looks much better IMO.

 

I would agree with you if we we're talking about 2012 and older escapes. It was one of the vehicles I was looking at buying. My mother has a 2012 with AWD, then saw what the new ones looked like. But, I agree. They could have made the front end better on the CHerokee

 

Actually, I think there's 4 cup holders. My Dakota had 5 stock. On the trip to NY, my MPG was 21. On the way back to Missouri it went back to 18 MPG.

My Dakota was a V6 with 210 HP. Just glad to be getting a vehicle with a little more HP, but the MPG is nice as well. I'm like a kid in a candy store waiting for it to be delivered.

 

In any case those specs look very competitive. Congrats!

 

Thank you! I turn 40 next month, so I consider it my early birthday gift to myself.

 

Congrats, and best of luck with it.

 

 

Nice, you've definitely got something different there. Don't think I've seen on in the wild yet.