Review: Jeep Cherokee

While the Dodge, Chevrolet and Chrysler brands were disappearing from these shores, Jeep revitalised its products and went for broke.

Sales rocketed last year, largely on the back of its new Renegade smaller SUV, and already this year the company has seen further growth of more than 100 per cent. The target for 2016 is 14,000 sales.

There's an aggressive five-year plan in place and next year will see the arrival of a new C-segment SUV that will slot between the Renegade and the evergreen Cherokee.

While the Renegade is attracting the likes mountain-bikers, snowboarders, skiers and others who like to live life on the edge, it is the Cherokee that continues to find favour with the more mature driver.

As American as apple pie, the Cherokee is pitched below the premium Grand Cherokee and is a more rounded proposition than the iconic but extreme Wrangler.

Sitting on a new platform, this Cherokee promises higher levels of refinement and on-road manners than its predecessor.

The two-litre diesel 140 hp manual versions have been joined by a modern 2.2-litre MultiJet engine, available with 185 hp and 200 hp outputs, and offering a significantly wider spread of torque from low rpm, greater power, improved performance and better fuel economy than the out-going two-litre 170 hp automatic engine.

Available only with Jeep’s segment-first nine-speed automatic gearbox, and matched to the Active-Drive four-wheel-drive systems, all new Cherokee 2.2 versions are packed with equipment. The Cherokee range, from entry level, now has additional specification as standard including electric tailgate, windscreen wipers with rain sensor, dusk sensor, eight-position electrically adjustable seat, four-position lumbar adjustment and automatic anti-dazzle rear-view mirror with built-in microphone. The specification on all trim levels gives Cherokee a highly attractive equipment-to-price offering within the mid-size SUV class.

The 200 hp variant is available on Limited specification while the 185hp is fitted on Cherokee Longitude and Longitude+ variants only.

The Cherokee range has extremely strong technological credentials with the award-winning UConnect system, a touchscreen and satellite navigation unit and wireless charging pad, all standard on Limited.

The Limited 2.2 200 hp versions also offer the option of the 'Technology Group' pack, which includes advanced brake assist, lane departure warning, automatic main beam dipping function, adaptive cruise control, start & stop, blind-spot monitoring function and a rear parallel parking assist system.

Equipped with the innovative automatic nine-speed transmission and 4x4 Jeep Active Drive I, the Cherokee 2.2 MultiJet II 200 hp reaches a top speed of 127 mph. It accelerates from zero to 62 mph in 8.5 seconds, has an average combined fuel consumption figure of 49.6 mpg and CO2 emissions of 150 g/km.

The Cherokee 2.2 MultiJet II 200 hp with Active Drive II and low-range has a top speed of 126 mph, 0-62 mph time of 8.7 seconds, and combined fuel consumption of 46.3 mpg, with 160 g/km of CO2 emissions.

Finally, Longitude and Longitude+ trim levels are provided with a 2.2 MultiJet II 185hp (136kW) variant, in combination with 4x4 Jeep Active Drive I and the nine-speed automatic transmission. Equipped in this way, the Cherokee reaches a top speed of 125 mph and accelerates from zero to 62 mph in 8.8 seconds. Combined fuel economy and emissions are 49.5 mpg and 150 g/km.

Key to the Cherokee's appeal will be its ability to come good on its maker's claims of improved on-road dynamics and a cabin that's received a considerable uplift in terms of quality, space and kit levels.

Jeep models have always had a distinctive look, and this Cherokee is no different. However, where the firm's trademark grille has been the dominant feature, this time around it has been incorporated into an overall more dramatic front end. In fact the whole car is a more dramatic than before, with its fuss-free detailing presenting a bold appearance.

Bigger in all the important areas, this Cherokee boasts a useful extra length in the wheelbase to ensure occupants have ample room. For added convenience the rear seats can slide so you can tailor legroom for boot space depending on your needs. And with a large opening tailgate there's no shortage of space at the rear.

Although Jeep has its sights on stealing sales from its premium European rivals, the Cherokee is pitched at a slightly lower price point. As such, the car's well-built cabin, legendary off-roading capability and good level of standard equipment ensures that it offers a convincing proposition.