Not two days after I'd taken the helm of the Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearl Coat (whew!) Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk that arrived in our parking garage, I couldn't take it anymore. The urge to run over objects large enough to cause at least minor damage to lesser vehicles had become too much to restrain. I turned towards the nearest empty parking lot and began climbing parking curbs and concrete medians to get my fix. I'm fairly sure any onlookers assumed I was blind. Is urban off-roading a thing?
It might be soon, depending on how many Cherokee Trailhawks fall into consumer hands. The Trailhawk designation is an important one: It takes the Alfa Giulietta/Dodge Dart-based Cherokee from two-wheel-drive crossover to four-wheel-drive off-roader. Not only do Trailhawks get off-road-ready Firestone tires, a 1-inch suspension lift, skidplates, and unique front and rear fascias to improve ground clearance, they also get a two-speed transfer case with a low gear along with a locking differential. And check out those red tow hooks front and rear -- I hope I won't have to rely on them. Underhood sits the optional 3.2-liter Pentastar V-6 engine ($1495), which is paired to Chrysler's new nine-speed automatic.