Chrysler Jeep CHEROKEE RANGE
Jeeps Cherokee Promises A Rawhide Experience But In Fact Strikes A Decent Balance Between Rough And Refined. Andy Enright Reports
Despite the fact thats it has been with us since 2001, its till tricky not to think of the current Cherokee as new. Its predecessor was launched in 1984 and, for a short period in the early nineties, became the hot ticket for the chattering classes. Perhaps its a function of changing market demand, but the late shape Cherokee is still a relatively rare sight on British roads. Jeep hope to rectify that with a facelift to the model range designed to breathe fresh appeal into this iconic 4x4.
The Cherokee has long been targeted at those 4x4 owners who want something that looks pretty hairy-chested but who dont want the agricultural overtones of some old money 4x4s. With a rugged look and pleasantly refined road manners, the Cherokee makes a good choice, and the badge still carries some clout in a market packed with synthetic wannabes. The latest version offers a slight makeover, but nothing so extreme as to send existing owners residual values plummeting. The existing Sport and Limited models get a shapelier bonnet and a bolder seven-slat grille that Jeep are slowly weaving into an integral part of their corporate identity.
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Changes have been made to the front lights and wheels, but the bigger news is the addition at the top of the range of the self-consciously beefcake Renegade model. With its tacked on wide wheel arches, roof mounted spotlights and chunky five-spoke alloys, the Renegade is pure, unreconstructed machismo. One almost expects a 100 RON Testosterone reminder inside the fuel filler cap. All Cherokee models have undergone a minor tweaking of the cabin, with relocated electric window switches and a set of white instruments.
The Sport and Limited receive some rather unconvincing aluminium-coloured plastic fascia inserts, while the Renegades carbon fibre effect isnt the last word in sophistication. Even real carbon fibre would have saved less weight than an electric mirror motor.
"Should you wish to venture off road, youll find authentic low range gearing."
Of more material benefit is the introduction of a more powerful version of the 2.8-litre CRD diesel engine. Theres some history here. This shape Jeep was originally supplied with a 143bhp 2.
5-litre CRD common rail diesel engine, itself a vast improvement over the wheezing old lump fitted to previous Cherokees. This engine was subsequently joined by a 148bhp 2.8-litre engine of similar architecture. Although only modestly more powerful, this unit possessed a good deal torquier and was better suited not only to off-roading but also to towing trailers or caravans.
With 266/lb ft of twist action on demand, the Cherokee wasnt shy of muscle. This time around, Jeep have really let the engine off the leash. Although the cubic capacity is still unchanged at 2766cc, the engine will now crank out 163bhp and 296 lb/ft of torque with a negligible penalty in terms of fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. Although its not the most refined diesel engine at idle, it possesses useful mid-range urge, getting to 60mph in a tad over 13 seconds and runs on to a top speed of 108mph.
In case you were wondering, fuel consumption is pegged at 36.7mpg and emissions are rated at 246g/km not too shabby at all for such a hefty vehicle. Its difficult to get away from the cars legacy when looking at the Cherokee. When it was launched in the UK in1992 the Cherokee wasnt exactly box-fresh, having already served an eight-year commission across the pond.
Nevertheless, British buyers soon took it to their hearts and for a brief period in the mid-nineties a Cherokee was a far safer investment than bricks, mortar, gold or the BCCI. It was relatively affordable and it made an interesting alternative to the existing crop of 4x4s that were either resolutely agricultural or self-consciously effeminate. Here was something that the Marlboro Man would probably drive when his horse went in for its 12,000-mile service. Given this rugged appeal, it was easy to forgive the Cherokees faults.
There was less rear-
seat space than youd find in a
Peugeot hatch and the fake wood trim looked like something purloined from a motel that charged by the hour. Nevertheless, in those boom years when fuel was merely extortionate, the Cherokee made a strange kind of sense. Even when Jeep tried to replace the thing with the Grand Cherokee model, for that was its purpose, UK buyers stayed loyal and the Grand Cherokee was subsequently positioned as an upscale alternative. Today, theres a choice of an entry level 2.
4 Sport, a 211bhp 3.7-litre petrol engine, or the 2.8-litre CRD diesel available in either Sport, Limited or Renegade guise. The 3.
7-litre petrol is effectively the Grand Cherokees V8 with a couple of cylinders lopped off and is a vocal companion which may boost the excitement factor but does little for motorway refinement. The majority of UK customers will instead plump for the 2.8-litre turbodiesel. Its still a long way from what youd call a polished performer, but that edge of rough just adds to the Cherokees frontier appeal.
In a market of rather ineffectual and inoffensive 4x4s, heres one that can certainly look after itself.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Jeep Cherokee range
PRICE: £17,995-£23,520 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 14-15
CO2 EMISSIONS: 250-347g/km
PERFORMANCE: [2.8 CRD] 0-60mph 13.5s/ Max Speed 108mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [2.8 CRD] 36.7mpg (combined)
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin airbags, ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 4240/1790/1623mm
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