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Will It Suit Me?

There's a lot of talk in the specialist motoring press about what is and what isn't a 'proper' SUV. The confusion has sprung from the growing penchant among manufacturers for creating vehicles that display the rough and ready looks of an off-roader but have little or no off-road ability. Some of them don't even have four-wheel drive. It can all be a little confusing for the humble car buyer, but there are models with which you always know where you stand and amongst them is Jeep's Cherokee. The big Jeep has quite a history, being one of the models that really popularised 4x4 vehicles in the UK. It's obviously come a long way since then but if you want an SUV that isn't going to wave the white flag as soon as you show it a muddy puddle, Cherokee is certainly a name you can rely on.

Practicalities

The bluff front end and the steroidal wheel arches are typically rugged and quintessentially Jeep, but a few changes have been made to this revised fifth generation Cherokee: the bonnet, LED headlamps, daylight running lamps and fog lamps are all new. Even the classic seven-slot grille has been updated. The interior's had a bit of extra love too, with Satin Chrome and Piano Black high-gloss accents. But I'm supposed to be talking about practicality here. The 60/40 split second-row seats adjust fore and aft for increased passenger leg room and cargo versatility. A top storage tray is located above the centre stack on top of the instrument panel and the front-passenger seat folds flat and offers hidden storage by flipping up the passenger seat cushion. It's all welcome stuff.

Behind the Wheel

Jeep offers two Fiat-derived diesel engine choices, plus a rare 3.2-litre petrol V6 for top 'Trailhawk' variants. These options continue, but have been joined in this revised model range by an all-new 2.0-litre direct injection turbocharged inline four cylinder unit. Most likely customers though, will continue to concentrate on the diesel range, where entry-level buyers get a 140bhp 2.0-litre MultiJet unit with a six-speed manual box and a choice of either 2WD or 4WD set-ups. Offered only with 4WD is the preferable and more modern 2.2-litre MultiJet powerplant, available only with a 9-speed auto gearbox. This engine comes in either 185bhp or 200bhp guises and offers a wide spread of pulling power. The Cherokee does still remain a slightly more capable choice than rivals in the RAV4 or CR-V soft roader class, though that's not really because of its standard 'Active Drive I' 4WD system: this simply shuttles torque from front to rear in response to slip, just as you'd find elsewhere in this segment. What makes this car a little more effective in the slush than the unremarkable class norm is the way this set-up combines with Jeep's clever 'Selec-Terrain' system - designed to be like having an off road expert sitting next to you as you drive. With a push of a button on the Selec-Terrain dial, you can choose between a series of customised settings to suit the ground you're travelling over.

Value For Money

Prices start at around £32,500, making this one of the pricier volume-branded SUVs in the mid-sized segment. Still, all models are well equipped, coming complete with LED daytime running lights, LED tail lights, front foglamps that light your way around the bends, Jeep's handy 'ParkSense Rear Park Assist with Stop' sensor system, an alarm and 17-inch aluminium wheels, whose finish is matched on the window surrounds, grille, roof rails and exhaust tips. Inside, you get automatic air-conditioning and electric front windows, along with a six-way adjustable driver's seat. That's on top of cruise control, a fold-flat front passenger seat and a leather-trimmed steering wheel with buttons for the 'Uconnect' infotainment system with its 6-speaker audio set-up. This includes USB and Bluetooth connectivity, plus an audio jack input point, a remote SD card slot and an integrated voice command set-up. You also get a useful 'Cargo Management System' in the boot with a removable grocery bag and a universal module rack to which you can attach all kinds of extra-cost Mopar accessories - things like a cargo bin and mat, a foldable cooler and a first aid & emergency kit.

Could I Live With One?

If you're after a mid-sized SUV that can cope with being driven off-road, there aren't too many choices available. The Jeep Cherokee is certainly one of the few that could hack it and that you'd have confidence in when the going gets tough. It's also well equipped and reasonably composed on the road but there are more refined and sophisticated options out