New Jeep Cherokee range lands from $33,500

Jeep has launched its new medium-sized Cherokee to the Australian market this week, nine months after the model's international market debut in its home market of the US.

The all automatic, four-model line-up sees a mix of four- and six-cylinder petrol engines from launch with a diesel-powered model expected in the third quarter of this year.

The range starts at $33,500 (plus on-road costs), which is significantly dearer than similarly specified rivals including the newly launched Nissan X-TRAIL (from $27,990 plus ORCs), the ubiquitous Subaru Forester (from $29,990 plus ORCs), Toyota's RAV4 (from $28,690 plus ORCs) and the segment leading Mazda CX-5 (from $27,880 plus ORCs).

However, Fiat Chrysler Group Australia says the Cherokee's higher standard equipment levels – including alloy wheels and nine-speed automatic transmission across the range – will cover the gap.

At the start of the Cherokee line-up is the entry-spec Sport, the only two-wheel drive model in the four-variant line-up, and the only model to arrive with four-cylinder petrol power.

Like the remainder of the range, the Cherokee Sport's (130kW/229Nm) 2.4-litre 'Tigershark' four-cylinder is mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission.

No manual variants are offered in the model's local portfolio despite a six-speed manual being offered in markets elsewhere.

Jeep says the Sport variant manages an ADR combined-cycle fuel economy figure of 8.3L/100km. That's an impressive 33 per cent improvement above that of the outgoing model.

The Cherokee Sport arrives as standard with Chrysler's Uconnect 5.0-inch touch screen media centre, Bluetooth connectivity, cloth upholstery, halogen headlights, LED tail-lights, seven airbags, tyre pressure monitoring, four-wheel disc brakes, electric windows, mirrors and park brake, keyless entry, manual air-conditioning, cruise control, a reversing camera and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Strangely, the Sport variant is the only model in the line-up not to offer steering wheel-mounted controls for the audio system.

Aside from metallic paint ($500), the only option available for the Sport is acoustic rear parking sensors (also $500).

All models above the Sport are four-wheel drive, and are fitted with a (200kW/316Nm) 3.2-litre version of Jeep's 'Pentastar' V6 petrol, an engine also found in Jeep's larger Grand Cherokee range, albeit in 3.6-litre displacement, and producing 210kW/347Nm.

All V6-powered Cherokee variants are listed as having an ADR combined-cycle fuel economy figure of 10.0L/100km when driven in two-wheel drive, a 20 per cent improvement over that of its predecessor.

The most affordable V6-powered model is the Cherokee Longitude and is priced from $39,000 (plus ORCs).

On top of those features listed for the Cherokee Sport, the Longitude is equipped with Jeep's Active Drive I 4X4 system with Selec-Terrain multi-mode drive selector, brightwork around the daylight openings and on the roof rails, foglights, a fold-flat front passenger seat, dual-zone climate control, leather-clad steering wheel, an electrochromatic rear-view mirror, dusk-sensing headlights, an eight-way powered driver's seat, rain-sensing wipers, powered tailgate and remote engine start.

The Longitude is available optionally with a larger 8.4-inch touch screen and 506-watt Alpine audio system, remote proximity entry and a wireless (inductive) charging pad for portable devices as part of an Electronic Convenience pack ($900).

Stepping up to the Cherokee Limited (from $44,000 plus ORCs) standard features include heated leather seats, bi-xenon headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels shod with all-season tyres, a reconfigurable instrument cluster, an 8.4-inch inch touch screen and 506-watt Alpine audio system with satnav and front and rear parking sensors.

The Cherokee Limited is offered optionally with a dual-pane sunroof ($1900), an advanced driver-aid package dubbed Technology Group ($3000), or the Electronic Convenience pack as per that found optionally on the Cherokee Longitude ($900).

Finally, atop the Cherokee range, is the off-road focussed Trailhawk (from $47,500 plus ORCs).

A raised ride height (221mm, adding 25mm), wider wheel track and an enhanced four-wheel drive system with locking rear differential endow the Trailhawk with increased off-road capability, while remoulded bumpers front and rear improve the Trailhawk's geometry, taking the approach angle to 29.9 degrees, the break-over angle to 22.9 degrees and the departure angle to 32.2 degrees.

The trail-rated Cherokee Trailhawk also arrives with extended wheel arch flares, tow hooks and bash plates, additional engine and transmission cooling, 17-inch polished aluminium rims with all-season tyres, powered and heated leather seats, and of course, Trailhawk badging.

The Trailhawk is available with the same optional equipment as that listed for the Cherokee Limited.

Fiat Chrysler Group Australia says it expects to sell "every Cherokee it can get its hands on", but refused to be drawn on sales targets. Last year, the Cherokee managed only 82 sales seeing it place poorly (0.1 per cent) in a market sector (Medium SUV <$60K) currently dominated by the Mazda CX-5 with a share of 20.7 per cent.

Jeep says the model split will likely see the range dominated by the upper-spec Limited version at 40 per cent, with the remaining three models sharing an even 20 per cent share apiece.

The Cherokee has achieved a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

For the full local launch review of the new Cherokee, visit motoring.com.au again soon.

2014 Jeep Cherokee pricing (excludes on-road costs):
Cherokee Sport 2.4P 4X2 auto – $33,500
Cherokee Longitude 3.2P 4X4 auto – $39,000
Cherokee Limited 3.2P 4X4 auto – $44,000
Cherokee Trailhawk 3.2P 4X4 auto – $47,500