Review: 2016 Jeep Cherokee Latitude 75th Anniversary Edition
There are iconic vehicles out there and then there are Jeep vehicles. You literally can’t say the word iconic without referencing a Jeep. In fact, describing what an iconic vehicle is to someone who doesn’t know immediately brings up the example of a Jeep. And what happens when an iconic vehicle reaches a milestone like 75 years in production. Well then, you fill it with Jeep iconic badging, offer it in green, accent the exterior with bronze and orange and challenge people to find some open-air, dirt and a smile. The 75th Anniversary Jeep Cherokee hits all those marks.
Officially, the Jeep Cherokee is one of several Jeep models to be emblazoned with the special 75th Anniversary colors and badging. In fact, Jeep offers this package on all of its models.
What’s truly great about the 75th Anniversary editions is the green exterior colors – Sarge Green, Recon Green, Jungle Green depending on the model. These colors match perfectly when you think of Jeep, a brand born in 1941 during World War II. Quite literally they bring back memories of the iconic (there’s that word again) images of Jeeps used in many different conflicts.
Accenting the Recon Green color on the Cherokee are the 18-inch wheels with badges and trim accents in a low gloss Bronze color. This creates a sharp look for the SUV. But, if green isn’t your thing, it is also available in black, white, silver, rhino and a granite crystal.
Inside, the Cherokee is filled with special badging and the Tangerine accent stitching pulls the package together. The driver’s position is quite good and all the knobs are within easy reach. It is a comfortable and roomy interior considering the vehicle’s size.
The 8.4-inch touchscreen features the critically-acclaimed Uconnect system and a dual-pane sunroof brings in the sun for the rear seats.
Cargo space is quite plentiful in the rear with the seats having the option of folding down.
On the road, it is quite literally doesn’t share any of the ride characteristics of its 1941 brethren trading the bumpy ride for a very smooth one. In fact, it is easy to forget this is a Jeep with its comfortable drive and smooth shifting delivered from a 9-speed automatic transmission.
It is, though, still a quite-capable off-road vehicle. Scanning the gauges, the select-terrain system buttons stand out as a reminder it can go off-road. Utilizing the optional Jeep Active Drive II system (Active Drive I standard) and parts, the select-terrain buttons quickly alter the vehicle’s driving, braking and transmission outputs to match the terrain or conditions you are facing – snow, sport, sand/mud and auto mode for every condition.
Also, it gets way better fuel economy than the Jeeps of year’s past with an EPA estimated 19/26/22 city/highway/combined MPG.
Basically, the 2016 Jeep Cherokee Latitude is a Jeep SUV with the heart of a legendary product. It rides smooth, returns good fuel economy and has a roomy interior, yet it can and will gladly get dirty. Plus, wrap it in Recon Green and it even looks like a Jeep. It is quite simply one of the best SUVs on the market that just so happens to also be a Jeep.
Model: 2016 Jeep Cherokee Latitude 4×4 75th Anniversary Edition
Engine: 3.2L V6
Transmission: 9-Speed Automatic with Jeep Active Drive II
MPG: 19/26/22 city/highway/combined
Options:
- 75th Anniversary Edition – $2,580
- Safety/Convenience Group (Park sense rear park assist, blind spot and cross path detection, power multi-function mirrors with manual fold away, exterior mirrors with turn signals, 9 amplified speakers with subwoofer) – $765
- Cold Weather Group (heated front seats/steering wheel, all-season floor mats, windshield wiper de-icer, engine block heater) – $695
- Comfort/Convenience Group (power liftgate, remote start system, keyless entry-n-go/passive entry, a/c auto temperature control with dual zone control, auto-dimming rearview mirror with microphone, security alarm, universal garage door opener, cargo net) – $1,595
- 9-Speed Automatic Transmission with Jeep Active Drive II – $1095
- 2L V6 – $1,745
Price as Tested: $36,765 with $995 destination charge
Tim Esterdahl is a married father of three who enjoys all things automotive including wrenching on his collection of old pickups. You can find his work here and in print in Truck Trend magazine as well as on Pickuptrucks.com. Recently, he is growing a huge audience at his website PickTruckTalk.com
He also plays an absurd amount of golf. Like, really absurd.