Is the Cherokee being hammered by Consumer reports

[Jimmyb]

The new Jeep Cherokee has a polarising design which is radically different from previous iterations of the vehicle.

While it has opinions divided, sales of the new vehicle have been going very well indeed, and it has been reviewed positively by many established publications, both online and print.

Except for one. Perhaps the most important in the US - Consumer Reports. The same publication that single-handedly destroyed Suzuki's reputation in the US, even though its allegations was later proven incorrect by the NHTSA.

The organisation has given the new vehicle a not recommended rating, stating that it is an uneven package and half baked, with the 2.4 I4 being described as underpowered and poor on fuel, and the nine speed automatic transmission as being clunky and unresponsive.

"As a small SUV with serious off-road and towing capability, Jeep's small Cherokee could be a contender if it weren't so underdeveloped and unrefined," CR said in a release. "It just doesn't get the fundamentals right for everyday use."

CR also picked on the fuel economy, getting 21 and 22 MPG (US) for the I4 and V6 respectively - well below the 31 MPG claimed by Jeep for the I4.

They didn't hate it completely, though - they liked the solid feel, quiet cabin and active safety,

In all, the I4 received 56 points out of a possible 100, and the V6 70. The 2014 Subaru Forester, on the other hand, got 88, the highest in class.

by:
Charles Kooij

[bruggz351]

I can't read, so won't effect me...

[LeighP]

I wonder who pays CR's bills?

[muddy]

Originally Posted by LeighP

I wonder who pays CR's bills?

They state that their income is derived entirely from people subscribing to their publication. They don't have advertising, and purchase the items they review, including cars, themselves rather than through PR contacts at the manufacturers.

While I've not read the report (don't have a subscription) their reports on cars that don't measure quantifiable things, such as behaviour in a skid, or response to an impact, or fuel efficiency are always going to be as subjective as any otherr publication.

[LeighP]

Pardon my cynical attitude...I've seen so many "independent" magazines and such like over the years that display a lamentable bias to certain brands or products.
CR may be legit, I know little about the new Cherokee......

[chris0375]

Just because they are independent does mean they aren't biased. Plenty of journalists are very biased even if they are independent. This applies to everything not just cars.

[cruiserfied]

Common sense would say that people would read more than one review and make their own minds up.

Too bad there is so little common sense in the world today.