Chrysler Jeep CHEROKEE 2.4 SPORT
Putting A Four Cylinder Engine In A Jeep Is Bound To Upset Traditionalists. Andy Enright Reserves Judgement...
Think of how often car manufacturers drastically revise their ranges. Chances are that the new car thats currently gracing the cover of the monthly glossies will be relegated to historical status in five years time, the dazzling sheen of novelty replaced by the crusty patina thats the no mans land between new and classic status. The MK1 Jeep Cherokee never really stuck to this script, soldiering on as it did for a good seventeen years, the last eight of which seeing it offered in Brit-friendly right hand drive form. If we go by that formbook, the MK2 Jeep Cherokee will be around for some time yet and by, say, 2008 we may have become accustomed to the Cherokee 2.
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To help things along, there have been some recent improvements, with this entry-level Sport model getting a shapelier bonnet and the bolder seven-slat grille that Jeep are slowly weaving into an integral part of their corporate identity. Changes have been made to the front lights and wheels, plus all Cherokee models have undergone a minor tweaking of the cabin, with relocated electric window switches and a set of white instruments. The Sport version also receives some rather unconvincing aluminium-coloured plastic fascia inserts. Otherwise, theres nothing outwardly unsettling about this particular Cherokee variant, few clues that betray its secret.
Pop the hood and itll all become clear. The 2.4 Sport has, through some cruel genetic twist of fate, only been born with half an engine. After all, you buy a petrol American car and you want a V8.
You may make an exception for the V10 that Chrysler plumbed into the Viper, but if youre into your transatlantic metal, you want something that idles deep and slow like an approaching T-Rex. As it is, you twist the key in the 2.4 Sport and the four-cylinder engine coughs and whirrs into life without any great drama. Some will never forgive the Cherokee 2.
4 Sport this fundamental crime, but if you take a less dogmatic view, youll discover a range of qualities that make this entry-level Cherokee something of an unsung hero.
"Youll discover a range of qualities that make this entry-level Cherokee something of an unsung hero"
Aggressively priced at £17,995, the 2.4 Sport cosies up nicely on price to 1.8-litre petrol
Land Rover Freelanders, rendering all talk of a perceived lack of cylinders rather redundant. Take on, as Jeep have done, this market leader, offer a bigger engine, an equally desirable brand and sharper styling and youve a tempting package.
However, you look at it, the Jeep has to be a contender if youre buying in this market sector. The 2.4-litre engine is good for 145bhp, but its perhaps the torque figure thats more illuminating. Being able to generate 159lb/ft of torque is something the 122lb/ft capable Freelander 1.
8 can only view with envy. Its this torque that helps the Cherokees real world economy. Its 26.6mpg average fuel consumption figure is down a mere 1mpg on the Land Rover, but should you load the vehicles up to any meaningful degree, the additional torque of the Jeep will allow for relaxed driving and smooth acceleration without having to drive the throttle pedal through the bulkhead.
Try driving the Jeep and the Freelander back to back down to the French Alps and the Jeep wins hands down when it comes to fuel economy. Where the Freelander claws back some advantage is in terms of on-road manners. The Cherokee, despite its pragmatic powerplant, still cant escape from its corporate heritage. The day they build a Jeep that cant make mincemeat of the Rubicon Trail will be a sad day indeed.
As it stands, the Cherokee is a vast improvement over its predecessor, but could still hardly be described as car-like. Ride quality has been improved enormously, due in no small part to a revised suspension system that replaces the antediluvian solid rear axle setup that the old model employed, but it still feel ruggedly uncompromising. Independent front suspension is a first for a Cherokee, as is a unibody construction, ditching the traditional separate ladder-framed chassis. Rack and pinion steering sharpens things up, and should you wish to venture off road, youll find authentic low range gearing.
Off road performance in fact remains superb, helped by a Command-Trac system that reverts to 2WD in normal condition and which can be shifted on the fly to all wheel drive. A smooth shifting five-speed manual gearbox allows you to make the most of the available power, the Cherokee 2.4 sprinting to 60mph in 13.7 seconds before aerodynamics halt proceedings at 108mph.
Although the engine may take Jeep enthusiasts some time to warm to, the styling draws skilfully on traditional cues. Viewed from the front, the Cherokee could only ever be a Jeep product, the trademark seven-slatted grille and beady headlamps using styling cues from the Wrangler, the car we all imagine being driven by cigar-chomping GIs. The lines are far more rounded, whilst retaining an angular appearance. Its as if the setsquare mentality of the old model was initially retained before a team of stylists chamfered, bevelled and smoothed all the edges off the thing.
American interiors have usually been the aspect where the whole story falls apart, but the Cherokee V6 comes up trumps. The cabin is at the same time rugged but thoughtfully styled. The balance between form and function has been nicely struck and it seems an awful lot of car for £17,995. In certain respects, the Cherokee 2.
4 is frustrating. The somewhat bouncy ride may deter those who never intend to venture off the tarmac, and for these folk a
Honda CR-V would be a wiser choice. For those that love the Jeeps looks, heritage and ruggedness, the Cherokee 2.4 Sport will be perceived as startling value for money and the most macho thing shy of a Camel Trophy Discovery.
Love it or hate it, the Cherokee 2.4 Sport is going to be around for quite some time. Were going to get used to it, thats for sure
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Jeep Cherokee 2.4 Sport
PRICE: £17,995 - on the road
CO2 EMISSIONS: 253g/km
INSURANCE GROUP: 14
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 13.7s/ Max Speed 108mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 20.2 (urban) 32.8 (extra urban) 26.6mpg (combined)
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 4240/1790/1623mm
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