Upgraded Jeep Cherokee goes mainstream

The updated Jeep Cherokee medium SUV is expected to be significantly more popular in Australia than its polarising predecessor.

Jeep Australia says the old Cherokee’s odd face with its triple-stacker headlight array was the key reason buyers shied away, while the brand’s dubious reputation for reliability providing added motivation to look elsewhere.

In its last full year on sale in 2017, the pre-facelift Cherokee found 1069 Aussie homes compared to the segment-leading Mazda CX-5’s 25,831.

Jeep has now addressed both the front and rear styling of the Cherokee for this 2018 update with an orthodox headlight array and redesigned composite liftgate.

It’s also upped the safety with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) now standard across the range, added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and pretty much held the line on pricing. All up it claims thousands of dollars of added value for every model.

But reliability? Having a recall on the day the car is launched weeks before its October 1 on-sale date isn’t going to deliver much confidence to the buying public.

In fact, the North American-built WL-generation Cherokee that first launched in Australia in 2014 has been the subject of a product safety recall 13 times, including five times this year.

That still pales in comparison to the WK2 Grand Cherokee that’s been recalled 21 times since 2011 and has done more than any other vehicle to throw Jeep’s reliability reputation under the bus.

“Some people looked at it as Jeep being cautious and looking after customer safety first and there are others that I’m sure it turned them off,” said Steve Zanlunghi, the boss of Fiat Chrysler Australia, the parent of Jeep Australia.

But Zanlunghi was adamant the Cherokee’s appearance was the more important factor.

“Our number one reason for rejection was the looks. When we did our research here in Australia it was the actual look of the vehicle,” he said.

“For sure the new look is going to help [attract customers], but we have also totally repositioned this vehicle with all the equipment we have added.

“We did the market research and we think we have hit the market sweet spot.”

Below the revised surface, the essentials of the Jeep Cherokee model line-up including its core CUS-wide monocoque platform, drivetrains and five-seat layout remain the same. The four-model range continues to comprise Sport, Longitude, Limited and Trailhawk variants.

Read the new 2018 Jeep Cherokee review here

The front-wheel drive 2.4-litre four-cylinder Sport’s pricing (before on-road costs) is unchanged at $35,950. Then there are the 3.2-litre V6 all-wheel drive Cherokees; the $41,950 Longitude is up $500, the $46,950 Limited up $1000 and the off-road focussed 4x4 Trailhawk down $1500 at $48,450.

There is no change to the power outputs of either engine – 130kW/229Nm four-cylinder and 200kW/315Nm V6 – and a nine-speed auto remains the only transmission choice.

The fuel consumption claim for the Sport drops from 9.1 to 8.5L/100km with the help of idle-stop and transmission refinement, while the three V6s all increase — by 0.1 to 9.8L/100km for the Longitude and Limited, and 10.2L/100km for the Trailhawk.

As you’ve probably noted, there continues to be no sign of turbocharging. An Alfa-sourced 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder is on offer in North America and there is enthusiasm at Jeep to bring it here. But it would come at a cost premium over the V6.

The Jeep Cherokee used to offer a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel in Australia and it is not being entirely ruled out for a return, But don’t hold your breath, as it was knocked out of the range in the first place due to lack of demand, in part because it was only available in an expensive trim.

We’ve gone through the fundamentals of the Cherokee’s overhaul at its Detroit motor show reveal last January and driven it in the USA, so let’s concentrate here on what the improved value offer is from Jeep.

The Jeep Cherokee Sport’s improved content value is rated at $4000, the Longitude’s at $4500, the Limited’s at $6500 and the Trailhawk’s at $3500.

A key part of that value boost is making a suite of safety systems standard on all modes. Previously, this pack was optional on the top two models and unavailable on Sport and Longitude.

It includes AEB, pedestrian emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross path detection and lane departure warning. LED headlights are also new, while seven airbags were already standard.

The other new headline act is the arrival of Jeep’s fourth-generation Uconnect infotainment system. All four models now get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the size of the touch-screen in the Sport and Longitude lifts from 5.0 to 7.0 inches. The Limited and Trailhawk continue with an 8.4-inch screen.

Standard Sport equipment includes a reversing camera, air-conditioning, a capless fuel filler, 3.5-inch instrument cluster display and 17-inch alloys with a full-size spare.

Longitude additions include Selec-Terrain traction management, powered front seats, rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, hands-free power tailgate, push-button start and steering wheel paddle shifters.

Limited upgrades include leather seat trim, 18-inch alloys, sat-nav, parking assist, adaptive cruise control, a 7.0-inch colour instrument cluster, nine-speaker Alpine sound system and heated and ventilated front seats.

Exclusive Trailhawk equipment includes specific seats and a bunch of off-road oriented gear including rock mode for Selec-Terrain, off-road suspension tune with raised ride height, unique front and rear fascias, red recovery hooks and four underbody skid plates.

“We feel we have a real opportunity with the Cherokee,” said Jeep Australia head Guillaume Drelon. “This vehicle is addressing everything the market and our customers are looking for.

“I would really like to see that car fly.”

* Prices exclude on-road costs

Learn more about the next-generation Jeep Cherokee