Test drive Jeep Cherokee has changed after restyling
Jeep Cherokee is unrecognizable - it was for its appearance that its predecessor at one time suffered through criticism. At the same time, the car remained one of the most comfortable crossovers among those who know how to drive on difficult terrain.
Over the past few years, no car has been scolded as much for its looks as the Jeep Cherokee (KL) introduced in 2013. Someone noted that it turned out to be “controversial, to put it mildly,” and some even said that Jeep had no right to produce “such monsters”, even despite the fact that the brand makes civilian SUVs the longest in the world.
The creators shrugged their shoulders and argued that the car was simply ahead of its time. However, after restyling, the Cherokee seems to have opened its eyes and found itself back in the present. To return the traditional face, the designers had to do a little magic on the front end: replace the narrow-eyed squint of the headlights with wider optics, redraw the radiator grille, and fashion a new hood, which has now become aluminum.
The rear part has also undergone some changes, which began to resemble the "junior" Compass crossover. Finally, there are new rims - there are five options available, including a 19-inch diameter.
The fifth door, made of composite materials, received a new, more comfortable handle, located above. Plus, as an option, a contactless opening system has become available - you need to move your foot under the sensor in the rear bumper. The trunk itself has become wider by 7,5 cm compared to its predecessor, due to which its volume has increased to 765 liters.
The most notable changes in the cabin are the new high-gloss Piano Black elements, as well as the multimedia control unit, which has been pushed back, allowing for an enlarged front stowage compartment. The electronic parking brake button was moved to the gear selector for convenience.
The Uconnect branded infotainment complex is available in three versions: with a seven-inch display, with a screen diagonal of 8,4 inches, as well as a monitor of the same size and navigator.
The infotainment complex with a multi-touch panel, which has become faster and more responsive than its predecessor, supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto interfaces. Jeep has retained a number of analog buttons and switches that control most of the vehicle's most important functions. However, many of the systems are cleverly hidden in the multimedia and, for example, you can sweat a little before turning on the ventilation of the seats.
As for the technical part, the most important change is the appearance of a two-liter turbocharged gasoline engine that produces 275 hp. and 400 Nm of torque. Unfortunately, it won't be on the Cherokee for Russia - only the new Wrangler has this supercharged "four".
The Cherokee will be available with the already familiar 2,4-liter aspirated Tigershark with a capacity of 177 forces (230 Nm), which, however, for the first time received a start-stop function, as well as with a 6-liter V3,2 Pentastar unit producing 272 h.p. (324 Nm).
We were able to test an SUV with a 2,2-liter 195-horsepower turbodiesel, which will reach Russia next year. The declared acceleration from zero to "hundreds" is 8,8 s - quite an acceptable figure for a car weighing about two tons.
In the steering, there is a certain dead zone in the center area, despite the front MacPherson strut and rear multi-link. Excellent sound insulation and a 9-speed "automatic" practically do not allow extraneous sounds to penetrate into the cabin at speeds up to 100-110 km per hour. However, it is worthwhile to spin the engine harder, then the diesel crackle begins to seep inside. However, this does not prevent the updated Cherokee from being one of the most comfortable SUVs, which are aimed at driving on serious off-road.
The updated Jeep Cherokee is available with three drivetrains. The initial version, called Jeep Active Drive I, features automatic rear-wheel drive coupled with smart electronics designed to correct the vehicle's trajectory, as well as add torque to the right wheels when oversteer or understeer.
At an additional cost, the vehicle can be equipped with Jeep Active Drive II, which already has a dual-band transfer case and a 2,92: 1 downshift and five-mode traction control. In addition, such an SUV differs from a standard car in its increased ground clearance by 25 mm.
The most hardcore variant, called Trailhawk, received a Jeep Active Drive Lock scheme, in which the Active Drive II system equipment list is supplemented by a rear differential lock and Selec-Terrain function. The latter allows you to activate one of five customizable modes: Auto (automatic), Snow (snow), Sport (sport), Sand / Mud (sand / mud) and Rock (stones). Depending on the selection, the electronics optimize the settings for the all-wheel drive, powertrain, stabilization system, transmission and hill and hill assist functions.
The Trailhawk version can be distinguished from other variants by its increased ground clearance of 221 mm, reinforced underbody protection, modified bumpers and the Trail Rated logo, which indicates that the car went through a series of the most severe off-road tests before launching into the series. It's a pity, but as in the case of a diesel engine, such an SUV will reach Russia no earlier than 2019.
Body type | Crossover | Crossover |
Dimensions (length / width / height), mm | 4623/1859/1669 | 4623/1859/1669 |
Wheelbase, mm | 2705 | 2705 |
Ground clearance, mm | 150 | 201 |
Curb weight, kg | 2290 | 2458 |
engine's type | Petrol, L4 | Gasoline, V6 |
Working volume, cubic meters cm | 2360 | 3239 |
Power, hp with. at rpm | 177/6400 | 272/6500 |
Max. cool. moment, Nm at rpm | 232/4600 | 324/4400 |
Transmission, drive | 9АКП, front | 9АКП, full |
Maksim. speed, km / h | 196 | 206 |
Acceleration to 100 km / h, from | 10,5 | 8,1 |
Fuel consumption, l / 100 km | 8,5 | 9,3 |
Cargo space, l | 765 | 765 |
Price from, $. | 29 741 | 40 345 |