Jeep Cherokee: the lowdown
Jeep has given the Cherokee yet another makeover in its 30-year history and has headed back to basics on the design front. The new Cherokee (or Liberty, if you’re American) draws heavily on the big and boxy Commander for its latest look. With a face that only its mother could love, the Cherokee certainly hasn’t become any more attractive. Jeep aimed for a more classic SUV appearance as a contrast to the modern and dynamic look of other four-wheel-drive vehicles on the market, so squared off wheelarches and chunky black plastic prevail on the outside. Not pretty, but quite memorable.
OK, so it’s not particularly good-looking. What’s it like elsewhere?
The Cherokee has undergone a fair amount of engineering. It shares its platform with the Dodge Nitro but Jeep is claiming that it is completely new from the ground up, with new Command Trac and Select Trac four-wheel-drive systems available and independent multi-link suspension, which should supposedly improve on- and off-road handling. There’s a generous amount of kit on the inside such as the MyGIG multimedia system which features a 20GB hard drive for music and pictures, Bluetooth and sat-nav. There are also safety features aplenty with traction control, Electronic Stability Programme and Electronic Roll Mitigation to name but a few.
What about the engine?
Power is provided by a 3.7-litre single cam V6, pumping out 210bhp and 235lb ft of torque at 4000rpm. This might sound inviting to some but the fuel figures are enough to put almost anyone off. Don’t expect anything more than 23mpg on the motorway and 18mpg in town, which is seriously thirsty. The Cherokee is due to arrive in UK showrooms in early 2008 and although prices are yet to be confirmed, it’s likely to cost around the same as the current model, which starts at £20,080 – if you can afford the fuel bills and live with the styling.