2008 Jeep Cherokee Sport Road Test Review

The Cherokee may be an off-roader but let’s be realistic - the majority of new owners will spend the vast part of their time touring the shopping strips, not the Bungle Bungles. It’s around town that some of the shortcomings of the Cherokee’s soft ‘springing’ become apparent. On less than perfect urban roads, and over rail crossings, the Cherokee’s front wheels ‘patter’ a little unnervingly – nothing serious (just feels a bit like the shocks have abandoned ship).

While the Cherokee is at best a compromise in the urban environment and does not share the excellent on-road manners offered by the likes of Kluger, Territory or Mazda’s CX-7, it has them trumped when the going gets rough. Being 4WD (rather than AWD) with a genuine high and low-range that are selectable on the fly via a console mounted switch, the Cherokee is in its element off the road.

cherokee_06

The new Selec-Trac II full-time four-wheel drive system features a 4WD Auto mode that effectively provides the Cherokee with all of the benefits of an AWD system. When 4WD Auto mode is selected (and it is not restricted to off-road conditions only), sensors will adjust and redirect torque between the front and rear axles, depending on road conditions.

I would really like to give the new Cherokee the tick, but, compared to its very competent opposition, it’s not quite there yet. That said, it looks great, feels robust, appears to be reasonably well screwed together and the interior isn’t a bad place to spend some time. It’s quiet on the road, comfortable to travel in and can easily swallow a family and a few of their belongings.

Jeep aficionados are going to find it hard to resist because it looks so much more like a Jeep than its predecessor. Perhaps, however, some of us will be looking for a bit more in ‘the drive’.

More substance behind the facade.

GALLERY: jeep-cherokee-2008

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Comments

  • mookers [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    I dunno about the style... the face looks a bit stunned mullet to me.
  • falc [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    Another good review TMR. Diplomatic but I get thee picture. Hard to go past the Japanese for a 4WD these days and most have respectable drivetrain options.
  • davidm [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    151kw from 3.7-litres with 16.9 l/100 and a 4sp auto. Why would you even bother releasing it?
  • Stu [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    Nice review and from my investigations prior to buying one you're on the money. Thus I bought the turbo diesel sports and it's a beauty, that is just so long as the turbo hose stays attached to the turbo. Well it happened just on the 1000km odom mark so it was due a "tighten everything up" service anyway.

    def buy the diesel if you want a Jeep
  • harro [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    Good to see a review that isn't sugar coated. Thats exactly what I like about sites like this and what you dont always get in the mags.

    *harro*
  • Gunnar [reply]
    2 years ago 0 points
    Fun review, Steane. And you're right about the interior fit 'n finish. I find that the ergonomic layout in the Jeep is a bit of pain for the front passenger. That glovebox comes down way too low and my knees keep hitting it inadvertently. A little too much style over function on that point.
  • Brian [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    I am thinking of buying the Jeep Cherokee (Diesel) for general driving on the city and country roads, with the possibility of towing a caravan at a latter stage. Has anyone had any experience with towing a < 2 tonne caravan with the Jeep Cherokee (Diesel) and how it handle the extra load?

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