Jeep Cherokee 3.7 Ltd

A Jeep not for the long haul

All-new and highly innovative, this Cherokee is made up of legendary Jeep stuff, but originating from a country where fuel is cheaper than water, don’t ask about consumption…

The previous brick-shaped Cherokee was in production for nearly 20 years in virtually unchanged form, and was responsible for creating the SUV genre first in the US, and then the world. DaimlerChrysler’s Jeep division bid that highly capable and versatile model farewell and replaced it with the new Cherokee "Liberty", a retro-ish looking model that draws heavily on  Willys' designs of old.

It comes with some innovative new features, like a patented tailgate with separate glass and lid sections, and of course Jeep’s legendary suspensions and drive transfer systems


Concept and Styling
With so many manufacturers going the retro route, DaimlerChrysler itself being especially successful in this genre with models like PT Cruiser being a runaway success worldwide, there was little risk in a similar design trend for what is one of Jeep’s core models. This one, however, is an interesting blend of old and new, integrating established Jeep styling cues with a modern, fresh appeal that should remain contemporary for a long while to come and which could spin off different design variants. One can already see this as a two-door model, or one with removable roof sections…


Ambience and ergonomics
Inside, this Cherokee is an eclectic mix of old and new, traditional and modern, leather and steel, the overall look and feel more rounded than square. Ergonomically, it is traditional Jeep fare – clearly marked and easy-reach controls for everything that opens and shuts (bar the power window switches, mounted on the front side of the arm rest’s console, which takes a moment of focus to ensure you hit the right one), including a comprehensive sound system/clock and roof-mounted trip computer. The steering wheel has cruise control and sound system control, all falling easy to hand.

Our silver metallic test unit was kitted out with a grey/oyster interior, certainly the colour of choice as it is not as dark (and hot) as an all-black interior, not to mention not as sombre.

The seating position is high, allowing a commanding view of the world, a boon not only when offroading, but also in tight parking lots at the mall.

Equipment
The Cherokee is comprehensively equipped, with hardly anything on the options menu, exuding a very luxurious feel indeed. There is powered everything, the overall package leaving nothing to be desired. Safety is taken care of via the extremely rigid body, ABS with EBD, and airbags, to name but a few critical items.


Accommodation and Space
While the Cherokee looks fairly large from a distance, it is not as capacious inside. While it is slightly larger than its predecessor, and head, leg and shoulder room is more than adequate, it is not capacious by industry standards. Occupants may not feel cramped, but a few more millimetres here and there would make a long journey all the more pleasant.

Ditto the luggage space – the standard 240 dm of usable space in the high and narrow area between the rear seatback and tailgate can be enlarged to 1432 dm with the security cover removed and the seats tumbled forward. In standard configuration, however, the Cherokee battles to cope with a family’s weekend luggage. Best ensure you order a tow hitch to hook up the Venter occasionally…

While the seats are supremely cosseting and comfortable – you sit in them, not on them –taller occupants will find the squabs fairly short and unsupportive. The trick is the seating position – sit bolt upright and the seat will keep one comfortable for a very long time.

In terms of oddments space, this is very restricted. The cubby can hardly take anything of notable size, but the slim door pockets and storage bin on the centre console (which also acts as armrest) can take some CDs. Twin cupholders on the centre console next to the gear lever rounds off the picture.


Ride Integrity and Safety
Jeep is all about highly capable comfort on and off the road. But while the Cherokee has more than what it takes to be a supremely capable offroader, Jeep has for the first time made a move towards an independent front suspension to achieve a car-like feel on road.

Combined with a unitary body (Jeep claims it has three times the torsional rigidity of the old Cherokee), there is no body twist when taking on the rough stuff, and unbelievable suspension travel and wheel articulation thanks to some significant engineering work by the Detroit boffins.

The power-assisted steering is a pleasure at low speed in the bush (and at the mall), but over-sensitive at high speed. And because of the high, upright body shape, the Cherokee tends to be sensitive to cross winds. What this means is that the driver has to constantly correct the direction of travel at high speeds.

For a 4x4, the 200 mm of ground clearance is by no means class leading, but due to the sophisticated suspension, and meaningful wheel travel, the Cherokee copes admirably, even with the tough stuff. It did, after all, pass the Rubicon test.


Build Integrity
As mentioned earlier, the latest Cherokee is tremendously rigid, with near-70% of the underbody and chassis made from high-strength steel. This should ensure that the Cherokee will “age” well during prolonged off-road use, remaining creak and rattle-free for a long time to come. The now familiar quality Chrysler look and feel is carried through to this model with well and solidly fitted panels, quality materials and solid construction based on sound engineering design.


Performance and economy
It is here where the Cherokee outshines most of its rivals, but also falls flat on its face. Performance figures from the 3.7-litre  V6 are class-leading, the 155 kW and 312 Nm of torque transferred via a sophisticated Selec-Trac full time four wheel drive system with centre diff and limited slip rear diff. Choice of drive – 2WD, part time 4WD, and full time 4WD in high and low range – is selected by simply moving a lever next to the standard auto shifter. It all works like a charm, on and off the road and the throaty engine roar is something to savour. The 3.7L Limited is only available with a four-speed auto ‘box, making heavy off road work child’s play.

However, getting there or anywhere leaves a hole in your wallet the size of Kimberley’s Groot Gat. Cruising speeds on a freeway requires between 18 and 20 litres/100 km, hitting any sort of incline pushing the figure up to 30+. Crawling around dongas and ditches sees 40 to 50+ litres/100 km. For green and budget conscious buyers, the Cherokee will have to win them over on account of its other virtues.

Top speed is around 180 km/h, and the 0 – 100 km/h dash takes a mere 10.5 seconds, serious numbers for a serious bundu basher.


Conclusion
It is all new and highly innovative, also very, very capable off road. In 3.7-litre petrol guise linked to an automatic transmission, it is also very, very thirsty – unacceptably so. While the overall package is not faultless, the Cherokee does come highly recommended, but if green issues are of any concern, or if the fuel bill is for your own account, best opt for the less gutsy, but more frugal 2.5-litre diesel model.


 

Comparative Specifications