Text and photos: John Peel

The new Jeep Cherokee launched recently definitely stands out from the competition. Its bold new look and high equipment levels coupled to a very reasonably price tag, exactly the same as offered in neighbouring Italy, should prove popular. Radically styled the new Cherokee will surely not be mistaken for anything else in the same competitive compact SUV niche. The trademark seven-bar grille is still there yet redesigned with the vertical bars now sweeping over the bonnet lip, while the headlight set up gets the slit-eyed high-set daytime running lights and larger main beams and fog lamps set below. The rest of the Cherokee’s shape conforms to standard compact SUV’s, with a rear sloping roofline and prominent waist and squared off wheel arches.

Once inside, the Cherokee impresses further with two-tone delicately sculptured seats and a crystal clear colour TFT screen vying for attention. The infotainment and climate controls are up on the centre console, but most functions can alternatively be controlled via the touchscreen menus. The tachometer and rev counter cluster is most pleasant with a generous info screen in between relaying back a multitude of information, selectable from the steering wheel controls.

A lot of thought was surely dedicated to making this new Jeep Cherokee as comfortable to drive as possible. As already mentioned the seats are superb. They not only look great but are immensely comfortable with electric controls for multiple configurations and ventilation. The nine-speed automatic gearbox is simply top class. The higher the number of gears the more I expect an auto box to frustrate me with multiple gear changes yet this was not the case. On the contrary gear selection is not only perfect but the actual gear change itself is seamless and hardly noticeable. It is also said to contribute to a claimed 16 per cent improvement in efficiency versus the older model.

The new Cherokee uses a platform shared with the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and in the case of my test model they also shared the same 2.0lt diesel engine. Generating 168bhp it provides enough power for a quoted 0-62mph in 10.3 seconds, which is quick enough to ensure it never feels slow but not exactly that fast either. Matched to the automatic gearbox its strong point is in reducing fuel economy with the clever four-wheel-drive system acting as front-wheel drive for the majority of the time, changing over to four wheel drive when needed.

The Cherokee has a five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating, with seven airbags, stability control and a selectable four-wheel drive dial to suit off-road conditions. Higher spec models feature a wealth of safety tech and there’s also a clear reversing camera view displayed through the impressive 8.4-inch touchscreen. This screen will also warn you, aided by strategically located sensors, of any obstacles in your way that might damage the car’s bodywork and underside, immensely helpful when venturing off-road especially as visibility low down at the front end is of course nil. Colour arrows will flash on the screen changing from yellow to orange to red along with audible signals, impressive indeed.

I cannot end a Jeep review without mentioning its off-road capability and even though the test only involved mild unsurfaced tracks I did test its steep climbing and cross axled abilities, tests it passed with flying colours. Wheels do leave the ground in difficult situations but its traction electronics superbly overcome any obstacle without spinning a single wheel, and all this with smooth road tyres. Priced and specced at exactly the same levels as in Italy this new medium sized SUV will surely enhance the Jeep brand on our shores.