Drew Dowdell

At the New England International Auto Show today, Jeep unveiled a new Overland trim for the Jeep Cherokee mid-size crossover. The new trim level, which goes on sale in Spring 2016, is a new luxury version of the Cherokee. The outside of the Overland features body colored lower trim cladding, new 18" wheels, standard HID bi-xenon head lights. Inside, the Overland adds new Zebrano wood grim, standard leather heated/vented seating, and the 8.4 inch UConnect system. All Overlands come standard with Jeep's Active Drive II 4x4, which has a 2 speed power transfer unit with low range. Standard power is the familiar 2.4 liter Tigershark producing 184 hp @ 6400 rpm and 171 lb-ft of torque @ 4600 rpm. Buyers can opt up to the 3.2 liter V6 with stop/start that is good for 271 hp @ 6500 rpm and 239 lb-ft of torque @ 4400 rpm. Both engines run power to the wheels via a 9-speed automatic. Additional standard features include everything on the Limited model, along with blind spot monitoring, power rear hatch, rear crosspath detection, rear backup sensors, and additional sound insulation. Pricing for the 2016 Cherokee Overland is expected to be $35,690 after destination charge. Jeep Press Release on page 2 Jeep® Expands Cherokee Lineup With Premium Overland Model New 2016 Jeep® Cherokee Overland debuts at New England International Auto Show More premium Jeep Cherokee model boasts an unmatched combination of luxury and capability in the mid-size SUV segment Cherokee Overland delivers sophisticated styling, a well-appointed interior, a long list of premium standard features and legendary Jeep capability New premium Cherokee Overland available in Jeep showrooms this spring Jeep Cherokee sales increased 23 percent in 2015 January 14, 2016 , Boston - The Jeep® brand is introducing its new Cherokee Overland today at the New England International Auto Show, expanding the brand’s lineup to deliver consumers a new level of luxury combined with unmatched capability in the mid-size SUV segment. “The new Cherokee Overland model is a direct response to consumers looking for benchmark 4x4 capability that only Jeep can offer, in a stunning, more luxurious package loaded with premium amenities,” said Mike Manley, Head of Jeep Brand – FCA Global. “Cherokee sales increased 23 percent in 2015, and we expect the new Overland model will attract even more consumers into our Jeep showrooms going forward.” The new Cherokee Overland joins Sport, Latitude, Limited and Trailhawk models in the Cherokee lineup. With a U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $34,695 (plus $995 destination), Cherokee Overland arrives in Jeep dealerships this spring. 2016 Jeep Cherokee Overland An exclusive style, premium amenities and enhancements and a long list of standard equipment elevate the new 2016 Jeep Cherokee Overland model to new levels of refined elegance and comfort. The exterior of the new Cherokee Overland model features new body-color fascias with a bright front grille and chin extension, body-color door cladding and wheel flares, new 18-inch fully polished bright aluminum wheels, standard HID bi-xenon headlamps and “Overland” badge on the liftgate. Inspired by the award-winning Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland model, the Jeep Cherokee Overland interior includes a host of premium enhancements, including a leather-wrapped instrument panel, power front driver and passenger seat with four-way power lumbar, a new Jeep steering wheel with Zebrano high-gloss wood trim, bright door sill plates, Berber floor mats, standard Nappa leather seats with ventilated/heated front seats, standard Alpine Premium Audio system, Uconnect 8.4AN AM/FM radio with 8.4-in. touchscreen display, Bluetooth, Navigation, HD Radio, SiriusXM Travel Link, SiriusXM Traffic, Uconnect Access Advantage, and standard memory driver’s seat, radio and exterior mirrors. In addition to the interior and exterior design enhancements and the standard equipment found on the Jeep Cherokee Limited model, the 2016 Jeep Cherokee Overland model adds the following as standard equipment: power liftgate, blind spot monitoring and rear crosspath detection, Parksense rear backup assist system and a premium insulation group. The new Jeep Cherokee Overland 4x4 model comes standard with 8.2 inches of ground clearance to help drivers reach the most demanding destinations. Living up to the “Overland” name, each Jeep Cherokee Overland 4x4 model comes equipped with the Jeep Active Drive II 4x4 system, which includes a two-speed power transfer unit, low range and an industry-first disconnecting rear axle for improved fuel efficiency when 4x4 capability isn’t needed. In addition, the Jeep Active Drive II system features the Jeep brand’s Selec-Terrain traction control system. Selec-Terrain allows the driver, with a push of a button on the Selec-Terrain dial, to choose the on- and off-road setting for optimum performance. Four customized settings are offered on the new Cherokee Overland model: Auto, Snow, Sport and Sand/Mud. Selec-Terrain is designed to optimize the four-wheel-drive systems for unsurpassed control and capability. Selec-Terrain electronically coordinates and optimizes up to 12 systems on any terrain providing enhanced vehicle control, including drivetrain control module, electronic brake controller, ESC, transmission controller, powertrain controller and Selec-Speed Control (Hill-ascent and Hill-descent Control). The system also includes Jeep Selec-Terrain, allowing drivers to choose between four modes (auto, sport, snow and sand/mud), which optimizes the 4x4 system to the driving conditions. Optional features on the 2016 Cherokee Overland model include: Heavy Duty Protection group includes skid plates and full-size spare tire, 3.2-liter Pentastar V-6 engine with standard engine stop/start (ESS) fuel-saving technology, producing 271 horsepower and 239 lb.-ft. of torque Technology Group includes advanced Brake Assist, auto high beam headlamp control, LaneSense Departure Warning Plus with Lane Keep Assist, Forward Collision Warning-Plus with crash mitigation, Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, ParkSense front and rear park assist with rear stop, rain sensitive windshield wipers, wireless charging pad, remote CD player, engine block heater and sunroof. Jeep Cherokee The 2016 Jeep Cherokee completely redefines the mid-size SUV segment, delivering legendary Jeep 4x4 capability, superior on-road ride and handling, world-class craftsmanship, clever functionality and versatility, more than 70 available safety and security features and advanced user-friendly technology. The Jeep Cherokee stands out against competitors with unmatched off-road capability while not sacrificing on-road ride and handling, comfort or segment-leading features.

At every auto show there are big headline grabbing releases. These are releases like concept cars (Buick Avista) and production high end luxury vehicles (2017 Lincoln Continental and 2017 Lexus LC 500) that draw crowds and clicks, but after the lights are turned off at the Cobo Center those vehicles mean little to the average car buyer. Then there is news that matters to more in everyday life… important, just not headline grabbing. One of those important news items from the 2016 Detroit Auto Show was the repositioning of 2017 GMC Acadia crossover from full-size to mid-size. The GMC Acadia was introduced for the 2007 model year becoming one of the largest crossover vehicles on the market. A big part of the Acadia’s appeal is that it was 9/10ths the size of a GMC Yukon yet easier to maneuver, handle, and more economical with fuel. Many people do not realize just how big the Acadia really is. Measuring in at 200.8 inches in length, the 2007 – 2016 GMC Acadia actually sits just 3 inches shorter than a Yukon. When the 2017 GMC Acadia debuted, it was announced that it dropped a lot of size and weight. How much? GMC aimed precisely at the center of the mid-size crossover market. Next Up – Size Matters The 2007 – 2016 GMC Acadia and its GM Lambda platform brothers do a pretty good job of hiding their overall size. Prior to gathering the data for this article, I would have speculated that the Acadia and competition in the likes of the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander were all roughly the same size. But as you can see on the chart below, the current Acadia has up to 9 inches over them in length. In terms of wheelbase, the current Acadia is also the longest of all of the front wheel drive crossovers. All of that size comes at a price however, and at 4,646 lbs the Acadia is 250 lbs heavier than the next heaviest FWD-based crossover, the Ford Explorer, and nearly 1,000 lbs heavier than the lightest 2-row on this list, the Kia Sorento. Even with all of that weight, the EPA rated fuel economy for a FWD Acadia is 19 city/ 24 highway, however my experiences have never matched that. For 2017, GMC is changing the game plan to aim squarely at the mid-size segment leaders by dropping 7.2 inches in length to an overall 193.6. This puts the Acadia right up next to the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander, two of the best-selling mid-size models on sale today. Wheelbase also drops to 112.5 inches, virtually matching Honda Pilot, Ford Edge, Ford Explorer, and Dodge Journey. Naturally, all of that size reduction results in a weight reduction as well. GMC shaved 700 lbs off of the Acadia, putting it among the lightest of the 2-row/3-row crossovers. Next Up – It’s what’s on the inside that counts One of the rabbits GM has been pulling from its hat lately has been vastly improved interior packaging in the newly redesigned platforms. Still, when dropping 7.2 inches in length, 3.5 inches in girth, and 700 lbs in weight, there is only so much engineers can do to maintain interior volume, so some interior dimensions have to be reduced a bit. ** Dodge lists the total cargo volume for the 5-passenger and 7-passenger versions the same, this seems unlikely. This chart is sorted on the second column, cargo area behind the 2nd row seats with the 3rd row folded flat. It is my guess that this is the configuration most often used by the bulk of drivers. Cargo room in this configuration has dropped significantly. No longer in spitting distance of the Yukon XL, the 2017 Acadia falls behind the Explorer, Pilot, Highlander and Durango while being just slightly larger than the 2-row Ford Edge and Jeep Grand Cherokee. With both the second and third row folded, the 2017 Acadia remains mid-pack. With all seats up, the Acadia is nearly the smallest with just 12.8 cubic feet of cargo room. Leg room is an area where all manufacturers seem to fudge a bit. Our friends over at TrueDelta.com have cited the fudged leg room numbers on a few Ford products and automatically deduct 2.5” from whatever the Ford published specs are. For this chart however, we are taking all of the manufacturers at their word. Here, the spread between the top and bottom is fairly narrow and with second row seats that slide fore and aft, the difference can be reduced further. In absolute terms, the 2017 Acadia is nearly the smallest, however when I sat in the second row during the Detroit Auto Show, it felt plenty roomy, so I doubt anyone would notice the 3 inch drop from the current model. Some of that drop may have been given to the third row which actually sees about a 2 inch increase in legroom. GM’s flip and slide system for the second row is still there, but only on the passenger side of the car. Getting into the 3rd row from the driver’s side looks fairly awkward. Next up – I’ve got the power For the first time, the GMC Acadia will come standard with a 4-cylinder engine. This move is clearly for fuel economy purposes, and as far as the naturally aspirated 4-cylinders in the class go, it is the most powerful. People coming from a 4-cylinder Toyota Highlander or Kia Sorento, won’t be missing any power. The updated V6 produces 310 horsepower, which makes it the most powerful non-Turbo V6 in the segment. With the new “added lightness”, the Acadia V6 should feel plenty powerful compared to the outgoing model. I do feel that GMC may have a missed opportunity here for a mid-level engine. The 2.0T with about 250 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque would have made a good tweener engine, it would be unfortunate if the only reason that engine isn’t available is to give the new Buick Envision sitting in the same showroom something unique. Also, where are the 8-speed automatics? The 2017 Acadia comes only with a 6-speed auto. Next Up – What is just right? For a long time, one of the knocks against GM is that they have too many vehicles that are too similar. The GMC Acadia has always sold well, posting sales gains every year since 2009, so why would GM make this move? What GM hasn’t had for a while is a true mid-size entry into the segment, no Goldilocks crossover that wasn’t too big like the Acadia, or too small like the Terrain, and it is a well known secret that the next Terrain will be downsizing also. At 4 inches bigger than the Grand Cherokee, 6 inches smaller than Dodge Durango, and within an inch of the Honda Pilot, three of the segment's best sellers, the 2017 GMC Acadia aims for the heart of Goldilocks and it seems to be just right.