Amazon Alexa Will Talk Directly To Your 2018 Jeep Cherokee

TopSpeed

By Mark McNabb

Published Oct 13, 2017

Jeep & Amazon breaking new ground in home-to-car communications

The world is getting more techie every day. Jeep and Amazon have partnered together to make home-to-car voice communications possible, basically allowing customers to remotely control their 2018 Cherokee from inside their home or business via their Amazon Alexa enabled devices. The Jeep can be remotely started, the doors locked or unlocked, and directions sent to the GPS navigation system. Conversely, the Jeep will also report vitals like tire pressure and fuel level when asked through Alexa.

“The introduction of Amazon Alexa to the Jeep Cherokee allows us to meet consumers’ increasing desire for innovation of information,” said Mike Manley, Head of Jeep Brand – FCA Global. “Jeep Cherokee’s new Tech Connect Package allows customers to minimize the everyday stresses of busy lifestyles by providing them with a variety of ways to stay conveniently connected to their vehicles while making every drive exceptionally informative, entertaining and unique.”

But, not just any Jeep Cherokee will communicate with Alexa. It has to be a 2018 Cherokee with the mid-grade Latitude trim level and the new Tech Connect Package. Such Cherokees will actually include an Amazon Echo Dot, which normally costs around $50 by itself. Owners will also get a three-month subscription to the Amazon Music Unlimited Family Plan and Audible. Of course, the Cherokee Latitude comes standard with the 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system with navigation. Interestingly, Jeep is dropping the price slightly for the 2018 Cherokee. The 2017 Cherokee Latitude in FWD starts at $26,740. Even with the Tech Connect Package, the 2018 Cherokee Latitude FWD has an MSRP of $26,190. The 4WD model starts at $27,690 – a drop of $1,050 from the 2017 model. Of course, you won’t hear any complaints from us or prospective Cherokee customers.

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Why it Matters

The Internet of Things might be in its infancy right now, but the world is becoming increasingly connected, and the everyday objects around us are becoming connected to the Internet. There are several home appliances that already communicate with smartphone apps like refrigerators, HVAC units, and garage door openers. It’s no wonder, then, why Amazon and Jeep are pioneering the home-to-car connection. While the smartphone-to-car connect has been around for a few years now, this marks the first big step toward the connected home relaying messages to a connected vehicle. It certainly opens a new world of possibilities and added convenience.