After a very happy and satisfying seven years in my 08 XT Forester turbo, I’ve given up waiting for a new XT Suby to come out that I actually like enough to trade in the MY09 model I have now.
I got busy trolling through countless review and comparison sites (particularly for performance SUV’s under 50k!) I narrowed it down to either another Forester ($55k for the premium!) or a Jeep Cherokee. Seeing some very happy jeep customers amongst friends and work colleagues I convinced my better half to accompany me down to the Jeep dealership (Albion) for a test drive.
They had some pretty sweet specials on hail damaged Cherokee’s from the recent storms up here. But more research and a call to my insurance swayed me otherwise. We road tested the Cherokee LTD (fully optioned). Whilst not the same light weight exciting drive and performance from the turbo XT, there was more a feeling of solid refined power with an interior and tech pack features that simply blows the Suby out of the playing field.
After reading every internet review and you tube video in the English language, I felt a strong leaning towards to revered TRAILHAWK.
I could not take me eyes of it in the showroom – even when the sales guy was selling me on the Limited. I was mesmerised by the looks of this mean machine and how different it looks from the SUV hordes that are everywhere in Brisbane these days. Even the latest model my beloved Forester has lost its bonnet scoop, now blending in with every other Rav 4, CRV, X-Trail etc etc
But I have to confess, if the look of the KL Cherokee polarises people, then I found myself on the side of LOVING IT
I guess being a potential first time Jeep owner, I have nothing to compare it to and am not jaded by the older more traditional Jeep designs.
As with the majority of other SUV owners up here, my Forester never saw much 4WD action. Lots of slippery boat ramps and only ever hit sand once launching the boat at a River sand ramp at Maroochydoore.
I’m thinking things could change if I get the Trailhawk. I’m thinking the advanced 4WD diff locker, low range and of course 1” lift, I will feel more confident in hitting the beaches here in SE QLD . I was surprised to learn that my current Forester actually has higher ground clearance than the Trailhawk (4mm), who would’ve thunkit?!
So I’m looking at the Granite colour, and going to splurge on both the Tech Pack (just astounded by this, never seen anything like it before) and the Convenience Pack. Throw in a tow bar to boot and I’m pushing
$60k retail….!!
I read in somewhere on this forum from folks who argued you could get a Grand Cherokee Limited for that sort of cash. It made me question my whole rationale for what I want out of the jeep, and I’m just not ready to take a leap into a traditional 4x4 just yet. I know the capabilities increase (including an enormous 275mm ground clearance with their electronic lift ability), but we are a family of 4 – 2 of which are the four legged ‘sausage’ variety
So we really don’t need the medium to large 4X4 just yet.
Has anyone had experience with taking a Trailhawk on the beach (Moreton / Fraser / Rainbow beach etc)? I would like to hear how you get on with packing camping gear into a limited cargo space. I keep going back to the Forester (as that’s all I have to compare) but we had the cargo area pretty packed up when we go camping. I’m guessing the Cherokee will struggle with loads of camping stuff? At least the rear seats can slide forward and it looks not much different in volume.
Anyway, this post is more about comparisons and observations after a solid few weeks of research. Now to start haggling for the best price. Any thoughts on dealer or broker?
Cheers
Matt