Jeep Cherokee (2001-2008) Review

On the road

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There's a major flaw in the driving position. The accelerator pedal is much further away than the brake pedal, which forces you to sit too far forward. The result is that your right thigh can touch the steering wheel as you move your leg up to press the brake pedal, and it's easy to get your right foot snagged on the brake on the way. The automatic version is worse in this respect, but the manual counters with a stiff gearchange. Less important is that the central-locking switch is exactly where you would expect an electric window switch to be (in fact they're below the centre armrest) and it looks like one too. Right-hand-drive Cherokees still have the handbrake and 4wd selector lever awkwardly far away on the left side of the centre tunnel. On the plus side, there's a good view out, big mirrors and clear instrumentation. If we were just talking on-road driving, this would be a three-star score. The steering is firm and accurate, but the feeling of height discourages spirited cornering, although the CRD is better because its lighter engine makes it feel more nimble. Off-road, the Cherokee is very impressive and much more capable than its rivals thanks to a low-range transmission and the ability to lock front and rear axles together to minimise wheelspin. The V6's 'Selec-Trac' system has a centre diff so you can use 4wd on the road, but the CRD's 'Command-Trac' is less sophisticated. With its manual gearbox, the CRD is easier to drive off-road, and has better engine braking for steep descents.

The two new engines are credited with impressive power and torque outputs, but neither feels especially punchy on the road. The V6 isn't very smooth at high revs and works best if kept within the mid-speed range - which the smooth-acting, four-speed automatic gearbox encourages. The rather gruff turbo-diesel builds up boost more quickly than the same engine does in the Chrysler Voyager, but it's still sluggish at low revs until boost liberates the ample pulling power. If you keep the engine surfing on its torque wave, it pulls the Cherokee along in relaxed and rapid style, although outright pace figures are nothing special.