Jeep Cherokee Diesel Review: 2014 Launch Drive
What’s Hot: Strong engine, smooth performance, extra towing capacity.
What’s Not: Only available at the top end of the range.
X-FACTOR: It’s almost as refined as the V6, adds an extra dollop of grunt and better fuel economy.
Vehicle Style: Medium SUV
Price: $49,000 (plus on-roads)
Engine/trans: 125kW/350Nm 2.0 4cyl turbo diesel | 9spd auto
Fuel Economy claimed: 5.8 l/100km | tested: not recorded
OVERVIEW
Jeep has unveiled the missing link in its Cherokee range - a frugal diesel. It joins the range at the top, sitting above both the four- and six-cylinder variants.
After all, in this country, you can't seriously offer an SUV range without a diesel, can you?
In fact, according to Jeep, diesel sales in the medium SUV category run at close to 30 percent of total volume. Jeep also says, however, that diesels traditionally sell best in higher-specced models.
And that's why the new diesel will only be found in the top-spec and well-equipped top-dog Cherokee for the time being.
Which may disappoint buyers who were hoping for a diesel option right through the range.
But it's a good one. For buyers with towing in mind, or owners in regional areas for whom diesel is the more attractive option, this new Cherokee variant can’t come quickly enough.
This drive confirmed what we already suspected - the diesel Cherokee plugs a yawning gap in the range that we’d previously identified, and does so with a refined and modern diesel engine.
THE INTERIOR | RATING: 3.5/5
- Instrument cluster with 7.0 inch display
- Leather seat trim with heated front seats
- Dual zone climate control
- Nine-speaker Alpine audio system
- Uconnect 8.4 inch touchscreen with navigation
As with the existing Cherokee range, the Diesel Limited offers a clear and concise dashboard, large and clearly labelled controls, and well-finished, high-quality plastics.
'Limited' specification means you'll find niceties such as leather seat trim with heated front seats, leather wrapped steering-wheel with audio and cruise control buttons, Uconnect 8.4-inch touchscreen with navigation and reversing camera, and an Alpine nine-speaker sound system.
The clever rear seats slide fore and aft, allowing between 700 and 820 litres of cargo space in the rear, or 1555 litres with all seats folded.