Jeep Cherokee buyer’s guide

Is compact American SUV worth its weight in gold?

WHEN it comes to cast-iron heritage, Jeep is right up there. In the forties, the Willys Jeep was the world’s first go-anywhere fourwheel-drive car, and it inspired Rover to create its off-road division, Land Rover.

Jeep introduced the world’s first luxury SUV, the Wagoneer, in 1963, seven years before the Range Rover appeared; and in 1974 the first Jeep Cherokee went on sale, to be followed by another four generations since. The first to officially come to the UK was the Mk3 in 1993. As with all Jeeps, the fifth-generation model is great off road, but is it better than higher-profile rivals?

History

THE Mk5 Cherokee went on sale in the UK in June 2014, initially with 140bhp or 170bhp 2.0-litre Multijet diesel engines. By the end of the year a 3.2-litre petrol was also available on special order, in Trailhawk trim only and with four-wheel drive. Diesel buyers could opt for front or all-wheel drive.

In August 2015 the 170bhp diesel engine was superseded by a 2.2-litre Multijet that came in 185bhp and 200bhp forms, both paired with a nine-speed automatic box; the 2.0 Multijet 140 motor continued to be offered alongside. A range-topping Overland spec was added in June 2016 with heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof and extra colour options. A facelift in autumn 2018 brought a new nose and a redesigned cabin, with improved materials.

Which one?

THE pick of the bunch is easily the 2.2 Multijet, which is significantly more muscular and efficient than the 2.0-litre alternative. The 200bhp 2.2 Multijet is also available with Active Drive II, which bring a low-ratio transfer box; the smaller engine comes with a parttime 4WD set-up called Active Drive I.

Standard kit in the entry-level Longitude includes 17-inch alloys, rear park assist, dualzone climate control, Bluetooth, DAB radio and a leather steering wheel. Longitude Plus adds a Uconnect nine-speaker media system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, Alpine subwoofer, and sat-nav with voice control.

The range-topping Limited has bi-xenon headlamps, a powered tailgate, 18-inch wheels, Nappa leather seats, front and rear park assist with a reversing camera, automatic headlights and wipers, wireless smartphone charging and keyless go.

Alternatives

THERE’S no shortage of competitors for the Cherokee, which is Jeep’s big problem. When you can count the likes of the BMW X1 and X3, along with the Audi Q3 and Q5, as alternatives, they’re pretty enticing.

The smaller cars compete more closely on price, but the bigger models compete on size, and on the used market, the Jeep has even more of a price advantage thanks to

its greater depreciation. The Range Rover Evoque is another alternative that’s a better all-rounder, but if your budget is tighter, think about a Kia Sportage or Sorento, along with a Hyundai Tucson or Santa Fe, which come with five or seven seats respectively.

The Mazda CX-5 and Volkswagen Tiguan are good options, while those after a slice of Americana should consider a Ford Edge.

Verdict

JEEP is an iconic brand and SUVs are all the rage, so in theory the Cherokee should be a sure-fire hit. But while this fifth version is better than its predecessors by some margin, it’s not good enough to compete with talented rivals that have a higher profile.

If the bulk of your driving is on tarmac, most alternatives are more accomplished, but if you do a lot of off-roading the Jeep Cherokee is definitely worth a look. It’s also pretty good at towing, but so are most of its rivals, which are invariably built to a higher standard as well. Inevitably you’ll pay more to buy any of those alternatives, but we’d say that money would be well spent.