Jeep Cherokee Limited
Quick Spin
What’s it all about?
It was all change for the KL-series Jeep Cherokee medium SUV when it was launched here in 2014; out with the old KK-series’ ladder frame chassis and such antiquities as a four-speed automatic transmission, in with a car-based monocoque chassis and a nine-speed – yes nine-speed – automatic.
Here, for the first time, we’re driving the combination of Limited specification and 200kW/316Nm Pentastar 3.2-litre petrol V6. For links to other derivatives of the Cherokee we’ve driven check at the bottom of this road test.
The Limited is one of the most expensive models in the six-variant Cherokee line-up, and the V6 is one of two engines available with it, the other being a 125kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel.
How much will it cost?
The manufacturer recommended listed price of the Cherokee Limited V6 is $49,000, which places it in the upper reaches of the segment. But then there are not many Medium SUVs that come with a six-cylinder engine.
The standard equipment list includes soft leather seats, satellite navigation, shiny 18-inch alloy wheels, bi-xenon auto headlights, an 8.4-inch touchscreen to service Fiat Chrysler’s Uconnect system, 7.0-inch instrument cluster display, nine-speaker Alpine sound system, front and rear park assist and heated front seats.
That’s on top of stuff available in lower grades including seven airbags, a reversing camera, LED daytime running lamps and tail-lights, an electric park brake, dual-zone climate control, power tailgate, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, electrochromatic mirror, leather wrapped, multi-function steering wheel and eight-way power adjustment of the driver’s seat.
The Limited comes with the light-duty Active Drive I all-wheel drive system matched with the Selec-Terrain adjuster to dial between auto, sport, sand/mud and snow modes. If you want serious off-roading capability including low range and a diff lock you have to opt for the Cherokee Trailhawk.
If on the other hand, you just want a front-wheel driver, then base model Sport with 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol TigerShark engine is the choice.
There are some high-end drive assist features available but only as part of the optional Technology Group ($3000); it includes adaptive cruise control with stop & go function, blind-spot and cross path detection, full speed forward collision warning, lane-departure warning and parallel and perpendicular park assist with stop.
There is a five-star ANCAP independent crash test rating awarded to the Cherokee, but it only applies to four-cylinder models.
All Cherokees are covered by a three year/100,000km warranty. Roadside assistance applies for the same period. Service intervals start at six months or 12,000km and costs are based on Mopar Menu Priced Servicing.
Why should I buy it?
The main attraction of the Cherokee Limited V6 is probably that engine. If you want a relatively small vehicle – it is 4624mm long – with a big petrol donk, then you’ll find that here. Mind you, these days, the audience with that requirement has got to be small.
The Pentastar does get up and going with a guttural snarl and the nine-speed auto does shift cleanly enough, but the claimed 10.0L/100km fuel consumption claim – delivered with the aid of idle-stop (we averaged 10.8) is surely going to put plenty of people off.
Based on the ‘CUS-wide’ monocoque architecture that can be traced back to the Alfa Romeo Giulia, the Limited drives without much character or refinement. It tends to roll around on its underpinnings, dive noticeably under brakes and steer somewhat vaguely.
It also has a substantial 11.5m turning circle that compromises an otherwise comfortable urban drive experience.
Off-roading in the Limited is really limited to moderate challenges. Like we said previously, the Trailhawk is the model for the true adventurer.
The exterior styling – well the nose anyway – takes a bit of getting used to, but the interior is a relative success and a definite step-up from its predecessor, especially in terms of materials quality. But it would nice to have smart key entry and go, shift paddles – as well as the lever – to perform manual changes, have the central touchscreen oriented more toward the driver and the operation a tad less clunky.
There is good space for two adult passengers in the fore-aft sliding rear seat, while storage options are decent – including a front passenger seat hidey hole – and the luggage capacity 700 litres, expanding to 1555 litres with the rear seat easily split-folded.
All sounds okay until you get to the price and to be frank $49,000 seems to be over-egging things a bit, especially as this car was $44,000 at launch just a couple of years ago.
When is it available in Australia?
The Cherokee Limited is on-sale now, along with the rest of the range – Sport, Longitude, Trailhawk and limited edition Blackhawk and 75th Anniversary.
Who will it appeal to?
Family car buyers and fans of the Jeep brand who want a more car-like experience than something like a Wrangler will gravitate to the Cherokee.
While nominally a five-seater, the Cherokee is better suited to fitting two adults in the rear, has plenty of boot space and also has brake towing capacity of up to 2200kg.
So grey nomads who fancy a Cherokee need to think conservative in terms of caravan size. The slightly better choice is the diesel with a 2393kg capacity for the same money.
Where does it fit?
The Cherokee sells in the SUV Medium under $60,000 segment against the likes of the Mazda CX-5 – Australia’s most popular SUV – the Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson and Nissan X-TRAIL… among many more.
But with its V6 engine and big price tag it sits more comfortably against SUVs in the large segment like the Holden Captiva, Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento, although they are seven seaters.
Also consider:
Mazda CX-5 (from $27,990 plus ORCs)
Hyundai Tucson (from $28,590 plus ORCs)
Nissan X-Trail (from $27,990 plus ORCs)