Road Test: Jeep Cherokee 3.2 V6

Jeep Cherokee review 2015

Jeep Cherokee 3.2-litre V6 driven

It has been almost a year since the Jeep Cherokee was launched in South Africa and I’m still not convinced of the new styling direction. But that is the point, as was explained at the launch. “Create something that everyone likes instantly and it becomes regarded as vanilla. Design must polarize to have longevity,” was how one of the key guys involved with the project phrased it.

Not to dwell on the controversial urbanising, the 2015 Jeep Cherokee is sophisticatedly modern and infused with the latest European and Korean styling trends. Proportions and outward visibility suggest, and indeed create, improved nimbleness while leaving a greater perception of technology and advanced construction.  More road biased hardware with our front wheel drive test unit while clinging onto past virtues with  the seven-slat grille and square wheel arches. The thin top lights are LED units with the main lamps housed in the bumper – a striking design at night but slightly incongruous at day. Chrome alloys prove just how far Jeep’s styling has moved from home but look too small.

Whatever you decide on the exterior styling, the interior is where Jeep has spent most of its available time and resource. Reduced panel gaps, soft touch plastics and tech compatibility are among the chief upgrades. Durability and refinement integrate with buttons that are simpler have been deconstructed to a natural feel and cabin warmth highlighted by additional curves and textures. The level of stitching on display, not to mention seats with more definition than the armchairs we’re used to, heighten the premium feel. The touchscreen is swift and crisp but isn’t the only way of interacting; steering controls and separate ventilation controls take up any slack.

Why you’d buy a Jeep Cherokee over the competition lies in the specification. Heated front seats, electric adjustment for the driver, navigation, power tailgate and wireless charging would easily add another R70 000 but here they’re all included in the price.

On test was the most powerful engine available in the Jeep Cherokee range. The 3.2-litre V6 normally aspirated engine is now more fuel efficient (we averaged a commendable 10.0l/100km) and quieter, although there’s a spine-tingling growl. This is the engine you want in the Cherokee because the smaller 2.4-litre can’t slip through all nine gears with the same finesse. It’s not perfect in this one either; it can be jerky at low speed – depending if it selects first gear or second to start with – but the extra power does to some degree gloss over the gearbox’s flaws. We’ve sampled the 9-speed ZF in models like the Evoque with better results but not having that wave of low-down torque from a turbo does count against its smoothness. The Jeep Cherokee is not massively sporty but there’s a good tone and plenty of reward for winding it up the rpm band.

The Giulietta platform promotes improved stability through turns, steering weight is lighter and the rack well geared. Above all else the Jeep Cherokee drives with poise that no Jeep owner has ever dreamed of. This is finally a car either gender can immediately jump into and feel a connection with – you don’t need to be particularly tall or buff to pull off the Jeep lifestyle.

This is by far the best Jeep Cherokee in the company’s history and much of that praise is down to reduced engine noise and vibration levels, better build quality and more efficient engines. No amount of power is going to convince us that the 9-speed gearbox is the best system for the brand but overall the design and sophistication will attract new buyers.

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