Jeep Cherokee 2014: Launch Review

Jeep Cherokee 2014

But love it or hate it, the Fiat-controlled brand has delivered on its promise of a more refined medium SUV that is still a class-leading off-roader.

Jeep's daring new design has polarised opinion but as the car's US designer explained during the launch, the Cherokee had to change if it wanted global acceptance.

This roughly $30,000 rival to the Nissan X-TRAIL and Subaru Forester isn't perfect but, as our first drive revealed, when the Cherokee arrives in Australia by around May next year it will get people talking -- and not just for the obvious reasons.

Standard features are yet to be finalised but Jeep has confirmed all models will be equipped with eight airbags as standard, giving it one of the highest airbags counts not only in its class but the entire new-car market.

Four models will be available from launch in Australia: the entry-level Sport model, mid-grade Longitude and high-end Limited variant. The Trailhawk halo model will sit atop the range as the go-anywhere, bush-slaying model.

The entry-level Cherokee Sport will be available solely with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in Australia, coupled to a two-wheel drive set-up to keep costs down. However, it will get the new nine-speed automatic transmission.

The Cherokee Sport model we tested came standard with climate-control, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming with hands-free voice control, a small five-inch colour touch-screen infotainment system, six-speaker stereo and no less than three 12-volt sockets, two USB ports, an SD card slot and AUX input.

Rear air-vents and an electic park brake are also standard, however, the US-market Cherokee Sport does without front or rear parking sensors or a reversing camera, and this is likely to carry through to Australian models.

The Longitude and Limited models will be 4WD-only vehicles, available with a 3.2-litre V6 petrol engine or a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, and it's understood diesel models will be available with a manual gearbox.

Longitude models appear to add mainly cosmetic upgrades like foglights and body-coloured wing mirrors, while the Limited models get a larger 8.4-inch infotainment screen, dual-zone climate-control, leather seat trim, reversing sensors, reversing camera and automatic headlights.

The mud-slinging Trailhawk will be similarly specified to the Limited model, but fitted exclusively with the 3.2-litre V6 engine and several extra off-road features, including a locking rear differential, a two-speed low-range power transfer unit and hill descent control.

A range of optional packs are also offered Stateside, including tech toys like radar-based cruise control, an auto parking system, collision detection with auto braking, lane departure warning and correction, and even wireless mobile phone charging.

MECHANICAL

Both petrol engines tested were hooked up to a new nine-speed automatic transmission which is built by Jeep under licence from ZF and helps deliver decent economy.

The V6 engine is 30 per cent more efficient, using a claimed 10.7L/100km, while Jeep reckons the four-cylinder unit is a whopping 45 per cent more efficient than its forebear, using a claimed 9.8L/100km.

The new gearbox is a major drawcard for the vehicle, but wasn't the revelation we were anticipating, presenting slow upchanges in manual override mode. Slotted into 'D' and left to its own devices the gearbox does a better job, shifting smoothly and more quickly, but on hilly sections it did tend to chop and change gears. 

The car's delayed arrival in the USA was due to software issues related to the gearbox, explained Ed Perosky, the director of automatic transmission engineering, and it's likely the models we tested weren't 'patched' with the new transmission software, so we'll save final judgement for the Australian versions in 2014.

Engine-wise, things are better. The four-cylinder pumps out a handy 137kW/234Nm and combined with the nine-speed automatic transmission shifts the car's roughly 1700kg kerb mass without too much trouble.

It's no firecracker, but will be more than adequate for most urban scenarios and is a smooth revving unit that doesn't get too raspy when nailed hard.

The V6 was the pick of the two, with a much lustier mid-range whack matched with a more refined and sonorous power delivery. Making its debut in this vehicle, the 3.2-litre V6 generates 199kW/316Nm and purrs like a kitten at higher revs, emitting a beautifully resonant note above 5500rpm.

Based on a new car-based monocoque Fiat platform that also underpins the Afa Romeo Giulietta, and fitted with electric power steering and independent suspension all round, the Jeep Cherokee is a much better car to drive than its predecessor.

The steering is a big improvement and the vehicle handles well despite retaining a good level of ride comfort. It's no sports car and isn't quite as agile or involving as the Mazda CX-5, but the new Cherokee certainly won't be at the bottom of the heap in terms of dynamics. A tight turning circle will also put it in good stead in shopping malls.

Four-wheel drive models also get an intuitive Selec-Terrain system. Just turn a dial to select one of four AWD modes on the run, ranging from Sport to Mud/Sand. It's easy and very effective.

PACKAGING

Unlike most previous Jeeps, the overall design is modern and appealing and higher quality materials are used throughout, which adds a level of sophistication to proceedings. Soft-touch dashboard material is standard on all models and compares well to some of its Japanese rivals' hard plastics.

All models get colour touch-screens too, and except for the stereo buttons hidden on the back of the steering wheel, all controls are easy to use. There's also an abundance of cup and bottle holders, and the standard fitment of three 12-volt power plugs (two in the front, one in the boot) and two USB ports is great.

It's a quiet interior too, being easy to hold a conversation in, and the commanding driver's position provides a good all-round view. Even the rear D-pillars aren't too thick, which means the blind spot isn't huge.

Front seats are well-proportioned and suitably cushy, though rear-seat legroom is tight for six-foot-plus passengers. The ability to slide the rear bench backwards mollifies this issue at the expense of boot space.

 A maximum boot space of 1401 litres with the 60:40-split rear bench folded down isn't bad, but the cargo area is narrow and can't compare to a Nissan X-TRAIL's width 1649-litre capacity.

SAFETY

The usual safety features such as anti-lock brakes and stability control (with trailer sway control) are standard, but high-end stuff like collision detection and auto braking are expected to be optional.

The Cherokee has not yet been tested by European or Australian NCAP, but the former is expected to conduct crash tests in a couple of months.

COMPETITORS

ON THE ROAD

The new chassis showed a clean pair of heels on a drive route that included Mulholland drive and several other genuinely challenging and twisting roads in the hills west of Los Angeles, which was a real surprise to be frank.

While the two-wheel drive Cherokee Sport's Firestone tyres weren't really up to the task of hairpin after hairpin, squealing like a startled piglet at the slightest provocation, the Continental tyres on the Limited models fared a lot better, the car tracking keenly through corners.

The new electric power steering is pretty good too, and that Jeep Australia is planning to firm up the suspension and tweak the steering for Australian models bodes very well for those looking for a car-like drive in their SUV.

Where the Cherokee will differentiate itself from the RAV4 and CR-V, however, is in its ability to tackle the rough stuff.

I took a rough-and-tumble Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk model through a tricky off-road course and it absolutely shone, eating up the steep descents, sandy climbs and precarious cambers with effortless ease.

Granted, the Trailhawk gets an improved approach angle of 29.9 degrees and slightly more ground clearance (221mm) than regular models, plus a locking rear differential, but its impressive off-road capability bodes well for the standard all-wheel drive Cherokee too.

Apart from some gearbox teething problems and cargo space quibbles, the new Cherokee is a surprise package. Putting aside its polarising exterior design, this is an accomplished and pleasant vehicle to drive on the road -- and an absolute winner off-road.