2014 Jeep Cherokee Set to Launch with First 9-Speed Automatic
Jeep is poised to beat Land Rover to market with the first 9-speed automatic transmission in a light SUV, as the Cherokee is due by late 2013.
Jeep is on track to introduce the 2014 Cherokee with a 9-speed automatic transmission, making it the first light vehicle to reach customers with this technology. Chrysler confirmed that the new Cherokee would arrive at dealers by the end of the third quarter of 2013, likely ahead of Land Rover, which had previously claimed it would be first to market.
Land Rover had unveiled its own 9-speed transmission plans at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2013, stating its intention to be first or among the first to deliver such a gearbox to customers. However, Chrysler's schedule for the Cherokee appears to put Jeep ahead in the race to market. Even if the Cherokee's launch slips by a month, it would still precede Land Rover's delivery timeline, according to statements from both manufacturers.
Why nine speeds matter for SUVs
The shift from six to nine gears is driven by the need to improve fuel economy and reduce CO2 emissions, especially in the competitive midsize SUV segment. A transmission with more ratios allows the engine to run at lower speeds on the motorway, cutting noise and improving refinement. These benefits are particularly relevant for buyers who spend time at higher speeds or value a quieter, more comfortable ride.
Chrysler has stated that the new 9-speed automatic will offer improved off-road performance as well as better fuel consumption. The company is confident that the Cherokee will be the first in the midsize SUV class to offer this level of transmission technology. Land Rover, for its part, maintains that it was the first to demonstrate the new gearbox, but has not confirmed an earlier delivery date for its own models.
Competitive context and market impact
The race to introduce a 9-speed automatic reflects a broader push among manufacturers to extract more efficiency from conventional powertrains. While dual-clutch and CVT automatics have gained ground in other segments, Jeep and Land Rover are banking on multi-speed torque converter automatics to deliver the blend of smoothness, durability and all-terrain ability that buyers in this sector expect. For Jeep, being first to market could help re-establish the Cherokee as a technical leader in a crowded field of crossovers and SUVs.
- 2014 Jeep Cherokee: First light SUV to market with 9-speed automatic
- Land Rover: Demonstrated 9-speed at Geneva, but later market launch
