Jeep Cherokee
Do improvements make SUV a contender?
Fresh look and new tech aim to make SUV a contender
THE Jeep Cherokee is one of the longest-running names in the SUV world. With the first edition making its debut all the way back in 1974, it’s got 15 years on the Land Rover Discovery. But has time been kind to it?
This fifth-generation model has been treated to a mid-life facelift: there’s revised styling, the suspension is mildly updated and the infotainment set-up is improved in a bid to keep it fresh against mass-market crossovers such as the Ford Kuga and Volkswagen Tiguan, plus more premium rivals like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3.
Some of the styling changes will no doubt be welcome – the old car’s pointy face didn’t sit well at all on a chunky SUV. By contrast, the new car’s tweaked front bumper and squared-off headlights (now LED) look more conventional and rugged, and it’s all the better for it.
Space
For a car of its size, it’s fairly spacious inside: rear leg and headroom are on par with the Kuga’s. However, the Jeep’s boot is much larger: total volume grows to 570 litres – more than in the BMW.
But while it can compete strongly with premium rivals for practicality, it falls well short on interior design. Despite changes to the gearshift surround and interior materials, the dashboard looks like the one in a previous-generation Hyundai Tucson – with just as many hard, scratchy plastics on show. It’s the most disappointing aspect of the car.
At least the new infotainment systems are a positive introduction. Depending on spec, you get either a seven or 8.4-inch touchscreen, both featuring Apple Carplay and Android Auto. It’s annoying that some climate functions can only be operated through the display, but loading times are quick and the menus are easy to access thanks to an on-screen shortcut menu.
Following the facelift, it looks like UK buyers will have only one engine to choose from: a 192bhp 2.2-litre diesel. Power delivery is smooth, but it doesn’t feel as quick as the hefty 450Nm torque figure suggests. Making the most of that oomph results in a pronounced clatter under acceleration, too.
The unit is paired with a nine-speed automatic gearbox carried over from the last Cherokee, but which benefits from revised software. It shifts very smoothly most of the time, but still feels dim-witted in manual mode or when kicking down.
The Cherokee is available with both front and four-wheel drive. The latter claims to deliver 46.3mpg although, based on the car’s indicated reading during our test, a figure closer to 33mpg seems more realistic.
Whichever drivetrain you choose – and, despite changes to the suspension, which Jeep claims improve both ride and handling – the Cherokee feels ponderous through the turns. A hefty, imprecise steering rack doesn’t do the car any favours, and the nose-heavy chassis is prone to understeer.
The ride is reasonable overall, but overly soft dampers mean that it wallows from bump to bump on more undulating roads. It’s stable enough at motorway speeds, but an X3 is more comfortable still – and could run rings around it along a twisty road. More worryingly, the same can be said of the much cheaper Skoda Kodiaq, too.
And the price is the final sticking point. While precise figures are yet to be confirmed, you’re looking at around £44,000 for this top-spec Overland model, making it very hard to justify.
“Nine-speed auto features revised software, and shifts very smoothly most of the time”