Jeep Cherokee Facelift

Started by 2o6, December 29, 2017, 08:20:46 AM

2o6

Am I weird for thinking this looks worse?


As weird as the old front fascia was, it looked coherent; as in coherently ugly. This looks weirdly tacked on; like the headlights are oddly shaped and too small.



Soup DeVille

It doesn't look any worse.

Forcing the 7-slot grille onto vehicles with no real vertical space on the front has always looked awkward, but this one is really no worse than the previous one.
Maybe we need to start off small. I mean, they don't let you fuck the glumpers at Glumpees without a level 4 FuckPass, do they?

1975 Honda CB750, 1986 Rebel Rascal (sailing dinghy), 2015 Mini Cooper, 2020 Winnebago 31H (E450), 2021 Toyota 4Runner, 2022 Lincoln Aviator

Xer0

It looks better in a more boring way, if that makes sense.

giant_mtb

If anything, I think it's slightly better looking.  Cleaner compared to the pre-lift front end.


r0tor

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee No Speed -- 2004 Mazda RX8 6 speed -- 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia All Speed

shp4man

I'm currently sitting in one of these, drove it home to clear the emissions monitors for smog testing.
It's fully loaded with every option known to man. I'm a shitty reviewer  because because I'd rather be driving a 54 year old truck, but this thing is just a status symbol, seems to me.
Everything in it works OK, it drives well and appears to be well made, it's just not exciting and has no personality at all.

MX793

Certainly more "traditional" looking and has slightly more familial resemblance to the reset of the line.  Still awkward-looking, though.
Needs more Jiggawatts

2016 Ford Mustang GTPP / 2011 Toyota Rav4 Base AWD / 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS
1992 Nissan 240SX Fastback / 2004 Mazda Mazda3s / 2011 Ford Mustang V6 Premium / 2007 Suzuki GSF1250SA Bandit / 2006 VW Jetta 2.5

Lebowski

I think it looks slightly better, but I am not a fan of the current Charaoke. 

MX793

Even if I have mixed feelings on the front, not that I ever liked the original, the updated rear is a definite improvement.  Always hated the current model's liftgate with the huge expanse of concave sheetmetal between the bumper and the rear window.  Moving the license plate mount up onto the liftgate, and adding the recessed area with integrated grab-handle, helps break things up a bit.
Needs more Jiggawatts

2016 Ford Mustang GTPP / 2011 Toyota Rav4 Base AWD / 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS
1992 Nissan 240SX Fastback / 2004 Mazda Mazda3s / 2011 Ford Mustang V6 Premium / 2007 Suzuki GSF1250SA Bandit / 2006 VW Jetta 2.5

Gotta-Qik-C7

Looks better all the way around.......But we're grading on a curve!
2014 C7 Vert, 2002 Silverado, 2005 Road Glide

giant_mtb

Quote from: MX793 on December 29, 2017, 11:38:12 AM
Even if I have mixed feelings on the front, not that I ever liked the original, the updated rear is a definite improvement.  Always hated the current model's liftgate with the huge expanse of concave sheetmetal between the bumper and the rear window.  Moving the license plate mount up onto the liftgate, and adding the recessed area with integrated grab-handle, helps break things up a bit.

Agreed. The old rear end is its worst stylistic feature, IMO. Just looks dumb.

93JC


Morris Minor

I agree with Kevin, it just does not click. They've uprighted the grille to give it more of the family look but it's still awkward. I'd want to see it in the flesh before passing final judgment.

For the next generation, if they want to stand out from the herd, they should use the boxy '84-01 second generation (XJ) as a starting point. That thing looked terrific IMHO.
⏤  '10 G37 | '21 CX-5 GT Reserve  ⏤

CaminoRacer

Quote from: Morris Minor on December 29, 2017, 03:59:31 PM
I agree with Kevin, it just does not click. They've uprighted the grille to give it more of the family look but it's still awkward. I'd want to see it in the flesh before passing final judgment.

For the next generation, if they want to stand out from the herd, they should use the boxy '84-01 second generation (XJ) as a starting point. That thing looked terrific IMHO.


The Patriot was the modern XJ. I actually like those a lot, except for the lack of off-road chops.
2020 BMW 330i, 1969 El Camino, 2017 Bolt EV

Morris Minor

Quote from: CaminoRacer on December 29, 2017, 04:06:18 PM
The Patriot was the modern XJ. I actually like those a lot, except for the lack of off-road chops.
Looks like the Patriot is the MJ
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_Patriot

Anyway this is the one I meant: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_Cherokee_(XJ)

Great article in C&D by the way on how Jeep to its parent companies over the years is like the Alien Facehugger - always kills off its host.
⏤  '10 G37 | '21 CX-5 GT Reserve  ⏤

CaminoRacer

Sorry, I meant the Patriot's design is basically modernized XJ styling.
2020 BMW 330i, 1969 El Camino, 2017 Bolt EV

giant_mtb

Quote from: CaminoRacer on December 29, 2017, 09:36:03 PM
Sorry, I meant the Patriot's design is basically modernized XJ styling.

My buddy's wife has one.  Black paint over dark gray wheels.  Good looking little thing.  Or is it a Renegade.  Fuck, I don't know.

93JC

Buddy of mine had a Patriot; looked a'ight, but all in all a bit of a turd. He has a Tacoma now, and is much happier for it.

Morris Minor

They should make a body-on-frame to go up against the 4Runner, something not so hardcore as the Wrangler.  Seems like the 4Runner has the niche all to itself. (I'm discounting the big Tahoes/Yukons here)
⏤  '10 G37 | '21 CX-5 GT Reserve  ⏤

MX793

Quote from: CaminoRacer on December 29, 2017, 04:06:18 PM
The Patriot was the modern XJ. I actually like those a lot, except for the lack of off-road chops.

The Liberty was actually the successor to the XJ, and was even marketed as the Cherokee outside of America.
Needs more Jiggawatts

2016 Ford Mustang GTPP / 2011 Toyota Rav4 Base AWD / 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS
1992 Nissan 240SX Fastback / 2004 Mazda Mazda3s / 2011 Ford Mustang V6 Premium / 2007 Suzuki GSF1250SA Bandit / 2006 VW Jetta 2.5

r0tor

Quote from: Morris Minor on December 30, 2017, 06:23:34 AM
They should make a body-on-frame to go up against the 4Runner, something not so hardcore as the Wrangler.  Seems like the 4Runner has the niche all to itself. (I'm discounting the big Tahoes/Yukons here)

Grand Cherokee
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee No Speed -- 2004 Mazda RX8 6 speed -- 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia All Speed

2o6

Quote from: MX793 on December 30, 2017, 07:16:54 AM
The Liberty was actually the successor to the XJ, and was even marketed as the Cherokee outside of America.


I think he's referring to styling. To date, the Patriot is the most XJ looking thing that isn't an XJ that Jeep has made.

MX793

I'd say the 2nd generation Liberty looked as much like the XJ as the Patriot.
Needs more Jiggawatts

2016 Ford Mustang GTPP / 2011 Toyota Rav4 Base AWD / 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS
1992 Nissan 240SX Fastback / 2004 Mazda Mazda3s / 2011 Ford Mustang V6 Premium / 2007 Suzuki GSF1250SA Bandit / 2006 VW Jetta 2.5

CaminoRacer

Quote from: MX793 on December 30, 2017, 09:33:46 AM
I'd say the 2nd generation Liberty looked as much like the XJ as the Patriot.

Huh, I forgot about those. When I hear Liberty I automatically think of the first gen
2020 BMW 330i, 1969 El Camino, 2017 Bolt EV

MX793

Quote from: CaminoRacer on December 30, 2017, 09:43:43 AM
Huh, I forgot about those. When I hear Liberty I automatically think of the first gen

I don't think they were particularly popular.  I think I saw more of the Dodge version (Nitro) than the Jeep.
Needs more Jiggawatts

2016 Ford Mustang GTPP / 2011 Toyota Rav4 Base AWD / 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 ABS
1992 Nissan 240SX Fastback / 2004 Mazda Mazda3s / 2011 Ford Mustang V6 Premium / 2007 Suzuki GSF1250SA Bandit / 2006 VW Jetta 2.5

giant_mtb

Quote from: CaminoRacer on December 30, 2017, 09:43:43 AM
Huh, I forgot about those. When I hear Liberty I automatically think of the first gen

Same. I forget the 2nd Gen was called a Liberty.

CaminoRacer

Quote from: MX793 on December 30, 2017, 10:06:35 AM
I don't think they were particularly popular.  I think I saw more of the Dodge version (Nitro) than the Jeep.

True. And I barely saw Nitros.
2020 BMW 330i, 1969 El Camino, 2017 Bolt EV

veeman

Of all the cute utes out there, the current Cherokee (trailhawk version) and the Mazdas look the best to me. This updated one looks good. 

Jeep doesn't need to make it body on frame or otherwise increase it's off road chops.  No one uses these to actually off-road.  What they should continue to do is improve on road manners, transmission, etc.  FCA is never going to win any cute ute on road driving test with a Honda CRV and it's certainly never going to be as reliable as one. They're successful because the car looks cool and unique, Jeep has great brand pedigree, and your testosterone does not immediately plummet as happens when you daily drive a CRV (i'm just bullshitting on the last point but a masculine vehicle it is not). 

giant_mtb

A Trailhawk Cherokee is plenty capable off road for 97% of people.

r0tor

So what is a body on frame 4 Runner going to do offroad that a "uniframe" Grand Cherokee isn't?
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee No Speed -- 2004 Mazda RX8 6 speed -- 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia All Speed