Jeep Cherokee Limited; Review

 

It's been a long wait, but I've finally had the chance to sample satellite navigation at a comprehensive level.

And, instead of it being in a model with all the bells and whistles as you might expect, it was fitted to a Jeep Cherokee, which, if you think about it, is a sensible idea as you have the ability to get home from cross-country travel without getting lost.

Even though the technology is reasonably new in New Zealand and the mapping isn't foolproof, I feel that the logic behind it is brilliant, and the chance of being guided through unknown streets means it becomes an additional safety device as well.

The Jeep distributors in New Zealand are now giving away satellite navigation with every Cherokee sold here, and even though it isn't an integrated unit, it sure has its uses.

Chrysler Jeep have just given the Austrian-built Cherokee another upgrade, that on top of a complete life cycle change just a couple of years ago. The mostly cosmetic changes are comprehensive, especially up front, where a new chrome grille and front bumper assembly distinguishes from its stablemate, the Renegade.

The interior has also had a little bit of a makeover, nothing dramatic but alterations have been made to make that area more user-friendly and modern, while under the bonnet a new turbocharger has been incorporated, producing higher power outputs and refinement improvements. The latter is particularly noticeable, the new model travels much quieter and smoother.

The Cherokee is available here in four forms (Grand Cherokee aside); two petrol-engined models, the Renegade and Limited, and the turbocharged and intercooled diesel also with the same specification levels. The subject of this review is the CRD (common rail diesel) Limited and it is priced at $60,900.

The Cherokee caters well for five adults, and it is designed to look after them well in terms of both comfort and safety, although the area around the front seat occupant's feet is a little cramped. Leather covers the seats in the Limited model, part of a completely two-tone grey interior that is highlighted only by small amounts of pseudo-aluminium garnish.

Each occupant gets a full overshoulder seat belt, while air bags are fitted up front along with curtain air bags front and rear. On the subject of safety, ABS overrides a four-disc brake set-up which has strong braking effect.

Standard fitment includes air conditioning, central locking with remote, electric windows and exterior mirrors, electric seat adjustment, leather-wrapped steering wheel on tilt-adjustable column, cruise control, variable intermittent wipers, well integrated tape and CD-playing audio and ceiling-mounted trip computer.

Minor features include plenty of cubby holes, drink holders and storage space, the rear cargo section easily swallows the golf clubs and trundler, and with the fold-down rear seats the cargo carrying capacity is on a par with most wagons.

At the other end is a smooth and refined 2.8-litre diesel engine which is produced in Italy by a Daimler/Chrysler subsidiary simply known as VM Motori. The engine has power outputs of 120kW (up 10kW from before) and a magnificent 400Nm of torque available all of the way from 1800rpm to 2400rpm. This represents strong bottom end power which, realistically, is well utilised given the Cherokee is bordering on heavy, weighing in a just under two tonne.

Driving through a five-speed automatic (with push-button overdrive) the engine/gearbox combination works well together, and given the power outputs the engine drives the transmission rather than the torque converter soaking up the delivery of power.

The engine has always been smooth, and with the higher refinement levels the 16-valve twin-cammer is amazingly quiet and refined, not the typical diesel that constantly clatters. At speed there is barely any under-bonnet noise transmitted through to the cabin.

At highway speed the engine turns over at just 1850rpm at 100kmh which augurs well for fuel economy. Even though the trip computer doesn't have an instantaneous readout, by resetting the average at road speed, nine litres usage per 100km is a rough guide and is quite respectable, that translates to 31mpg. A test average of 10.2l/100km (28mpg) is also relative. Take into account the Cherokee's 77-litre tank, and infrequent stops for fuel are the norm rather than the exception.

Acceleration is reasonably good as well. It can make a 10.5sec time to reach 100kmh from a standstill, while 120kmh from 80kmh in 8.8sec is achievable.

However, the Cherokee's role is more akin to taking control over the rough stuff and its drivetrain works fluidly at low speed. There is delicate throttle balance and very low gearing which means that speed can be made as slow as you like. Along with that there's a very low ratio transfer system, it harnesses in well the torquey nature of the engine and reduces wheel speed to a minimum when cross-country challenges are presented.

Ordinarily, power is delivered to the rear wheels, although four-wheel-drive high ratio can be ushered in on the move at speeds of up to 88kmh. Jeep label the transfer system Selec-Trac which gives the driver the option of three four-wheel-drive modes. They are 4WD part-time, 4WD full-time and 4WD low, each is selected by a pull-type console-mounted lever, well to the left of the gear selector lever.

Up front the Cherokee is sprung by independent suspension, the axles guided by double wishbones each side. A live axle is still fitted at the rear and it is located by trailing arms and coil springs, dampened by well firmed shocks. On road there is good body balance in a corner, the steering sensation is that of understeer but it is relatively minor. I was quite impressed with its on-road performance, the car feels lithe and nimble, not like off-road models of old, it has light steering and quick response to steering wheel input.

However, the Cherokee is about life off-road and in those conditions it tries hard to live up to its heritage. I took the test car over some of the deserted Peninsula shingle roads around Port Levy, on loose-surfaces the Good Year Wrangler tyres work well, providing positive directional steerage, with firm feel at the steering wheel when four-wheel-drive is locked in.

Chrysler Jeep have done well to keep the Cherokee fresh, and it has to be seen as a viable alternative to the wealth of models that sit in the SUV market. For a little touch of rugged Americana mixed in with some European elegance, the Cherokee CRD is a rather special combination.

Specifications.

Price: Jeep Cherokee Limited, $60,900.

Dimensions: Length, 4496mm; width, 1819mm; height, 1817mm.

Configuration: Four-cylinder longitudinal, four-wheel-drive, 2776cc, 120kW/3800rpm, 400Nm/1800rpm-2400rpm, five-speed automatic, 1956kg.

Performance: 0-100kmh, 10.1sec.