JEEP CHEROKEE
The latest Jeep Cherokee is much improved over its long-lived predecessor. Vanessa Hinkley enjoys a taste of high living...
This is a four-wheel drive I wouldn't hesitate to own, given the opportunity. It's chunky and good-looking and feels as solid as it looks. That's reflected in the handling, to some extent, which even with power steering I found a tad heavy to start with. However, that was more than compensated for by the comfort of the driving
seat and the bird's eye view you have of the road.
I would not quibble about the space, either for passengers or luggage, in the Cherokee, although I admit that anyone in the back will be more cramped than the driver and front seat passenger. The squareness of the cabin gives it a roomy feel, and the luggage space was generous. Getting comfortable behind the wheel was easy too and the seat adjustment system was neat - all I couldn't do was move it back a bit, but that was lack of patience. I wanted to be off!
Being the 2.8-litre turbo diesel model, my test car wasn't the quietest on the road, but I was amazed at the pulling power. It's said that this powerplant will develop more torque than most rivals, added grunt that will come in handy whether youre ploughing through a bog or accelerating past a swaying artic on a twisting back road. On paper, the Cherokee turbo diesel will top 106mph and accelerate from rest to sixty in 13.5 seconds - which makes it quite able to stay with most of its petrol-powered rivals. At the same time, of course, there are all the economy benefits expected from a diesel model.
Jeep's figures suggest that around 37mpg is achievable as a rough average. Handling, as I've said, was fine once I got used to the weight and size of the Cherokee, turning in a restricted space no problem either. The only thing I found hard was changing down the gears - they were less smooth than that beautifully-styled interior, but given the chance to notch up a few miles I'm sure I would get the hang of it. I'd love to test the Cherokee again on really rugged terrain. When the going gets rough, you simply tug the transfer box lever into the four-wheel drive position - there's no need to slow down, even.
Of the various models available, 'my' 2.8 turbo diesel Limited cost over £24,000 slightly more than the equivalent 3.7-litre petrol-engined Limited. In spite of the price, though, it is the Limited models which are proving to be the most popular, I'm told. What is sure to impress any former Cherokee owner (or test-driver, for that matter) is the fit and finish of the newest models. The squeaks and rattles that plague many off-roaders were considered unacceptable to Jeep's engineers when it came to designing these new cars. That they've largely succeeded in eliminating them is a credit to the thoroughness of their work. News of the three-year, 60,000-mile warranty should also convince many wavering buyers that the importers are serious about the long-term quality of these tough-looking off-roaders.
Need you ask? I would really enjoy the day to day practicalities of the Cherokee for family needs and in flagship 2.8 turbo diesel Limited form it's more than luxurious enough for business needs. I would be glad to make room in my drive for my test car - I loved the rich deep blue paintwork and that much-improved interior.
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