The current 2014 Jeep Cherokee is a funky-looking, off-road-capable compact->ke140 crossover->ke288, but it hasn’t exactly resonated well with Jeep->ke40 loyalists. Looking to prove that the new Cherokee->ke4617 is worthy of wearing the iconic seven-slot grille, Jeep and Mopar have teamed up to develop the Jeep Cherokee KrawLer concept vehicle. While this vehicle could have just as easily been a Moab Easter Jeep Concept, Jeep wanted to put the tuned Cherokee on global display, so the concept was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

A play on the Cherokee’s codename, KL, the KrawLer concept shows a more rugged side of the polarizing crossover. Based on the already rugged Cherokee Trailhawk, the Cherokee KrawLer gets more extreme with lots of Mopar add-ons, which are probably one-off for now but hopefully will make it into production. It would be nice if said parts would eventually be available as an over-the-counter and/or dealer-installed kit, but I’m not holding my breath. Just like the other Jeep concepts on display at Frankfurt, the Jeep Cherokee KrawLer is just a way for Jeep to flaunt its off-roading abilities to a broader audience.

Continue reading to learn more about the Jeep Cherokee KrawLer.

jeep-cherokee-krawler

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: jeep-cherokee-krawler
Pros
Cons

2015 Jeep Cherokee KrawLer

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Jeep Cherokee KrawLer
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 271
  • Torque: 239
  • Transmission: nine-speed automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Sure, the styling of the new Cherokee is a bit odd in base trim, but it will be hard for critics to come up with too many complaints about this concept. The look starts with a matte green paint job inspired by Jeep’s military heritage, and it only gets better from there, with meaty BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 LT255/80R17 tires, wide fender flares and a “special suspension” lift, which generally means it was a custom job. It’s hard to say how much this Cherokee has been lifted, but it looks great. Finishing off its rock-crawler transformation, the Cherokee KrawLer received added skid plates and rock rails, but it would have been cool to see some added off-road goodies such as a snorkel or something.

Interior

No interior images of the Jeep Cherokee KrawLer concept were released, but it sounds like the only changes made from the production Cherokee are some quartz grey trim pieces to match the exterior.

Drivetrain

Although the Jeep Cherokee KrawLer concept seems to be based on a European-spec Cherokee, there is no diesel under the hood of this crossover. Off-road enthusiasts would surely appreciate the diesel’s 324 pound-feet of torque, but Jeep stuck with the 3.2-liter Pentastar V-6 (rated at 271 hp and 239 pound-feet) and its nine-speed automatic transmission. Since this is a Trailhawk model, the concept retains the Cherokee’s go-anywhere Jeep Active Drive Lock four-wheel-drive system.

Conclusion

It’s doubtful that the KL Cherokee will ever be able to match the off-road status of the iconic XJ Cherokee, but this Cherokee KrawLer concept shows that anything is possible. Hopefully, this concept means that Jeep and Mopar are developing some cool off-road parts and accessories for the Cherokee, but for now, the Trailhawk is the closest thing out there.