Jeep Cherokee Review

Jeep Cherokee Review The Jeep Cherokee effectively sits in a class of its own. It's built to rival models like the Nissan Qashqai and Volkswagen Tiguan, yet on price it actually competes with cars like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3.A new 2.2 litre diesel engine was introduced in the summer of 2015, helping rectify negative feedback on the sluggish engines available from launch. It's an eager performer and despite being more powerful, is actually more economical than before too.Avoid the top spec Limited models, and the basic 138bhp diesel, and you've got an accomplished if a little ugly mid sized SUV.Back in the 1990s when beefy 4x4s were a must have for the UK's middle classes, the old school Jeep Cherokee was a popular sight with mums on the school run. But fashion moved on, and as the new breed of crossover SUV with car like driving responses and refinement gained market share, the Cherokee became sidelined. It even disappeared from the UK market for a while, before the model mounted a comeback in the shape of the latest Jeep Cherokee launched in 2014.Now with more crossover characteristics but still retaining its cross country credentials, the Jeep Cherokee for sale these days must battle a range of popular rivals. The list runs from the Audi Q5 to the Volkswagen Tiguan, and in between includes deep breath the BMW X3, Ford Edge and Kuga, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Land Rover Discovery Sport, Mazda CX 5, Mercedes GLC, and the Nissan Qashqai. That's an impressive list, but relatively uninspiring driving characteristics mean it's hard to recommend the Jeep Cherokee against dynamically superior European rivals. The Jeep Cherokee price makes it hard to choose the Jeep against the Japanese or Koreans, too.It's not all bad news for the Cherokee, which although wallowy on British B roads is a comfortable and softly sprung motorway cruiser. There are three engine options consisting of 2.0 and 2.2 litre diesels the latter being the far superior choice and a punchy petrol V6. All versions come with the same five door estate style body, and there are four models. The entry level is called the Jeep Cherokee Longitude Plus and features a wealth of kit including 17 inch alloys, 8.4 inch touchscreen infotainment with DAB, Bluetooth, satnav and voice command, a 9 speaker Alpine sound system, rear parking sensors, powered seats, auto headlamps and wipers, stop start, dual zone climate and cruise controls, power tailgate and part time Active Drive 4x4. You can also upgrade to a 9 speed auto gearbox.Jeep Cherokee vs Nissan Qashqai Land Rover FreelanderNext up is the Jeep Cherokee Limited, which adds an upgraded instrument pack, seat memory settings, front park sensors and reversing camera, heated Nappa leather seats, privacy glass, Bi Xenon headlamps and 18 inch alloy wheels. The Jeep Cherokee Overland has body coloured bumpers, bespoke wheels and a panoramic dual pane sunroof. The Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk is the range flagship, and comes with the 3.2 petrol V6, off road suspension and body protection mods, and lots of sportily styled trim tweaks inside and out.Even the top spec 2.2 litre auto lags behind rivals in terms of drive and performance. The Cherokee's comfort biased setup makes it tolerable on longer journeys but it wallows and rolls on country roads.It only takes a few minutes perched behind the wheel of the new Cherokee to realise this is a car aimed primarily at being as comfortable as possible.Jeep has made big boasts about this car moving away from agricultural handling to more car like road manners, but it has focused so heavily on a smooth ride that can handle the worst British tarmac that the drive is rather inert and disappointing. There's lots of body roll and extremely light steering even at higher A road speeds.While the 2.0 litre diesel engine manages to cope well with the hefty 1,900kg kerbweight, the general inertia of the car robs the driver of any fun or interaction.The newer 2.2 litre diesel improves on this but with no changes to the suspension or chassis, it's still rather wallowy in the corners. The steering doesn't let you know what the front wheels are up to, though four wheel drive models do get plenty of grip.The new Nissan Qashqai or Ford's Kuga strikes a better balance between family friendly ride quality and a modicum of composure in faster driving. If your budget allows, though, the BMW X3 is this segment's class leader.Special praise must go to the Cherokee's nine speed automatic gearbox, which is optional on the 138bhp model and standard with the higher power models. We're often wary of gearboxes with eight or nine speeds as they can change gear too often in the name of meagre fuel consumption improvements.But not only is the Jeep's gearbox smoother than Land Rover's nine speeder, it also contributes to a claimed 16% improvement in efficiency versus the old Cherokee.It makes it a great motorway cruiser, and mated to the soft suspension ensures it is very easy to drive long distances. Refinement is pretty good, too, though the diesel engines are a little rattly at idle. It's just a shame Jeep doesn't offer any steering wheel mounted paddles. range from a basic 138bhp diesel to a stonking 3.2 litre V6 petrol. There's also a range of 2.2 litre diesels, which offer the best compromise of performance versus running costs.The entry level 138bhp diesel is available with a choice of front or four wheel drive, but feels a little sluggish compared to the higher capacity engines.In 2015, the 168bhp 2.0 was replaced by a pair of faster 2.2 litre engines, with either 182bhp or 197bhp. We've only driven the latter so far, but it's a big improvement on the outgoing model thanks to a load more torque and a significantly improved 0 62mph time. It'll cover the benchmark sprint in just 8.5 seconds just a tenth slower than the flagship V6 petrol.The 2.2 doesn't feel as smooth or quick as a BMW X3 xDrive 20d, and is significantly off the pace compared to higher power (but similarly priced) rivals. It's by far the pick of the range though, and the one we'd recommend if you've got your heart set on a Cherokee.None of the diesels are particularly refined around town, but out on the open road they settle down into a quiet thrum. Plant the throttle though and the gruff clatter sparks back up encouraging gentle progress on longer journeys.Ignore the thirsty V6 petrol Cherokee (as 86 per cent of British customers are expected to) and the Cherokee's 2.0 litre and 2.2 litre diesel engines make a case for erasing Jeep's gas guzzler reputation.Claimed consumption of between 48.7mpg and 53.3mpg is around par for the class, though of course the lighter, less friction prone front wheel drive model is the one to go for http://www.mercedesdpfdelete.co.uk if running costs are the main worry. That car also has the lowest CO2 emissions of any Cherokee, at 139g/km.The 2.2 litre diesel is the one to go for though, as it's no less economical but feels much faster on the road. Top spec cars do 49.6mpg and 150g/km, which is almost identical to the Audi Q5 TDI 190. It's not as good to drive, but remains http://www.foreverwithjen.co.uk the highlight of the range.The front wheel drive 2.0 litre diesel is the best bet if low running costs are top of your agenda. The Longitude 140 FWD will return 53.3mpg and emit 139g/km of CO2 for 130 annual road tax. The 4x4 version sits one tax band higher for a 145 yearly charge.