Jeep Cherokee 2.5 CRD Sport
In Europe, you see the new Cherokee in the photos, and at home, in the US, you see the Liberty. Freedom. The DC group, or DaimlerChrysler, or the German-American business alliance (in that order, because the company's name is spelled that way) has prepared a very good continuation of the story with this name, whether it's an Indian tribe or freedom.
If you take a close look and appreciate the exterior, you will notice that this one is still very similar to the exterior of the old Cherokee; The body surfaces (where I count the sheet metal and glass) are slightly bulged, the edges and corners are more rounded, the taillights are interesting and the headlights are nicely round. Along with a more modern interpretation of the distinctive radiator grille in front of the engine cooler, the new Cherokee's face at the rear is much more friendly and cheerful.
With an image like this, the Jeep is sure to get more attention, draw more people to the showrooms, and convince more ladies that a gentleman can come up with a toy like this. The Americans have eliminated most of the shortcomings of the larger format of the previous generation, which means that picky ladies and more sensitive mulattoes will also be satisfied. The Cherokee got rid of the awkward chassis, outdated engine and tough exterior, but retained most of its previously recognized good performance. In short: it has become noticeably more modern.
It has increased the wheelbase by a good seven centimeters, and the rigid front axle has given way to a superior design of single wheel bearings with double lateral tracks. Something like this, along with coil springs and a stabilizer, has been offered by a direct competitor for over a decade.
The latest cheap leaf springs with unfriendly characteristics are gone, and the motion of the excellent, multi-steerable rigid axles is controlled by Panhard traction and coil springs. At the moment, you can't think of anything better from a technical point of view for this type of SUV.
The result is also very good. Anyone who still remembers the behavior of the hard prem (or perhaps even the previous Cherokee) will be delighted this time around. This SUV is not as comfortable as the A6 in overcoming shorter bumps, but nevertheless - given its purpose and other advantages - it is excellent.
For some time, since their popularity has grown significantly, SUVs have been more or less successful intermediate link between the "orthopedic" SUV and limousine. Between discomfort and comfort. While desires, demands, and willingness to surrender vary from person to person, we can measure the success of a compromise. The new Cherokee seems to have done very well at this, now undoubtedly at the very top.
The beauty of this SUV (and especially one that can be driven) is that the family drives comfortably throughout the work week and goes on a weekend trip. The engine is not gluttonous and friendly to the requirements of the driver; there is enough space in the car and the trip does not get tired. But if a gentleman wants to add adrenaline - choose at your disposal the range of the tank and similar antics.
The Cherokee still has enough pure-bred off-road design to cope with the off-road demands of the driver. This brings in a lot of tight stance, a little annoying due to the rather low belly (although the theory says a luxurious twenty inches minimum distance, the practice is a little tougher), and the main one, of course, is attraction. ... It follows the old off-road logic: basic rear-wheel drive (long live the rubble!), Plug-in all-wheel drive, optional gearbox, and an automatic differential lock on the rear axle. If you can appreciate the possibilities of tires on rims (which, of course, is the result of your choice), you can have a wonderful sports watch on the pitch.
This Cherokee loves gravel roads, which are still abundant in some parts of Slovenia (thanks to those who haven't paved them yet). They can be driven much faster and, above all, more comfortable than in most limousines.
The Cherokee also thrives on muddy tracks and steep rocky roads as long as the middle bump or loose stones in the middle are not too high. And this Indian, with the right knowledge and care, will also tolerate deep puddles, mud and obstacles in difficult terrain. To a healthy extent, of course.
If you go back to the highway from there, you don't have to be afraid to shake the steering wheel. It starts to behave this way because the steel rims have a useless shape: dirt (or snow) accumulates in their (unnecessary) groove, which does not account for the centricity requirements of the individual wheel. In any case, the car needs to be washed well enough, also because of the better visibility to the eye, which is very good for a van with clean windows. On the road, a high seating position will also be a welcome advantage, and all other features are mainly related to the interior design itself.
The new Cherokee has grown by about ten centimeters in length and gained two hundred kilograms. The interior is still characterized by a characteristically chunky dashboard, which, however, threw the uninteresting off-roading away. Despite the Europeanization of the company, the interior still remains typically American: the ignition lock does not release the key, unless you press the uncomfortable button next to it, turn off the fan with the blower button, turn on the air conditioner (which works only in some positions) and the interior lighting is perfect. Good and bad.
Much of the interior black plastic is well hidden in pleasing shapes, only small items have been given too little space. There are many roundabouts around the driver (deflectors, white signs, door handles), and the only thing that a European cannot quickly get used to is the power window opening buttons located in the middle.
But the driver usually won't complain. The gear lever is really very firm, but very precise. The steering wheel is light off-road, the steering wheel grips well, the driving range is fairly small in practice, and the ride is generally simple. Only the left leg has nowhere to rest. The rest of the passengers were well taken care of, the equipment (at least on our list) is a bit sparse (although it has everything you really need) and the sound of the audio system is no comment. Set an example for other, also much more prestigious road limousines.
Comfort or extra centimeters was stolen from the trunk, which is still quite satisfactory even in the eyes of a traveling family. The back bench also provides a third of the magnification, and the moms loved the six bag hooks to keep the oranges from rolling around in the trunk.
The rear is now reached in two steps, but in one movement: the first part of the hook pull opens the window upward (with a slight understeer lift) and the entire pull opens the metal part of the door on the left. Friendly and efficient. I dare write the same for the engine.
The sound it makes doesn't hide Diesel's patent, but if I remove the gear lever, there won't be any vibration inside, indicating that they made a bold effort to install the car. Compared to the previous one, it has taken several steps forward as it has overhead camshafts, common rail direct injection, significantly increased performance (in numbers) and almost excellent torque from 1500 rpm.
He is lazy in front of this value and does not look too offensive. It feels great at high revs up to 4300 (red rectangle), but it makes no sense to bring it to this limit. The good torque allows for shifts to 3500, possibly 3700 rpm, perhaps with only a slight degradation in performance. It will be great on all types of roads, even on long highway climbs. In the field, however, with the gearbox on, there are no comments at all.
Consumption? Less than 10 liters per 100 kilometers will be difficult, more than 15 too; the truth is somewhere in between. Off-road driving (also a hobby) increases thirst, while the city and fast track reduce it by a liter or two. Country road and rubble are the most pleasant training grounds, but you know: every freedom is worth something. What is connected with pleasure, even more so.
Vinko Kernc
Photo: Vinko Kernc, Uroš Potočnik
Jeep Cherokee 2.5 CRD Sport
Basic data
| Sales: | KMAG dd |
|---|---|
| Base model price: | 31.292,77 € |
| Test model cost: | 32.443,00 € |
| Power: | 105kW (143 KM) |
| Acceleration (0-100 km / h): | 11,7 with |
| Maximum speed: | 170 km / h |
| Mixed flow ECE: | 9,0l / 100km |
| Guarantee: | General warranty 2 years unlimited mileage, mobile European warranty |
Costs (per year)
Technical information
| engine: | 4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - direct injection diesel - longitudinally front mounted - bore and stroke 92,0 × 94,0 mm - displacement 2499 cm3 - compression ratio 17,5:1 - maximum power 105 kW ( 143 hp) at 4000 rpm - average piston speed at maximum power 12,5 m / s - specific power 42,0 kW / l (57,1 hp / l) - maximum torque 343 Nm at 2000 rpm - crankshaft in 5 bearings - 2 camshafts in the head (toothed belt) - 4 valves per cylinder - light metal head - common rail fuel injection (Bosch CP 3) - exhaust turbocharger, charge air overpressure 1,1, 12,5 bar - aftercooler air - liquid cooling 6,0 l - engine oil 12 l - battery 60 V, 124 Ah - alternator XNUMX A - oxidation catalyst |
|---|---|
| Energy transfer: | pluggable four-wheel drive - single dry clutch - 5-speed manual transmission - gear ratio I. 4,020 2,320; II. 1,400 hours; III. 1,000 hours; IV. 0,780; v. 3,550; Reverse 1,000 - Reducer, 2,720 and 4,110 gears - Gears in differential 7 - 16J × 235 rims - 70/16 R 4 T tires (Goodyear Wrangler S2,22), 1000 m rolling range - Speed in V. gear 41,5 rpm / min XNUMX, XNUMX km / h |
| Capacity: | top speed 170 km / h - acceleration 0-100 km / h 11,7 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 11,7 / 7,5 / 9,0 l / 100 km (gasoil) |
| Transportation and suspension: | off-road van - 5 doors, 5 seats - self-supporting body - Cx = 0,42 - front individual suspensions, spring struts, double triangular cross rails, stabilizer - rear rigid axle, longitudinal rails, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, stabilizer - dual-circuit brakes, front disc (forced cooling), rear drum, power steering, ABS, EVBP, rear mechanical parking brake (lever between seats) - rack and pinion steering wheel, power steering, 3,4 turns between ends |
| Mass: | empty vehicle 1876 kg - permissible total weight 2517 kg - permissible trailer weight 2250 kg, without brake 450 kg - permissible roof load n/a |
| External dimensions: | length 4496 mm - width 1819 mm - height 1866 mm - wheelbase 2649 mm - front track 1524 mm - rear 1516 mm - minimum ground clearance 246 mm - driving radius 12,0 m |
| Inner dimensions: | length (from dashboard to rear seatback) 1640 mm - width (at the knees) front 1495 mm, rear 1475 mm - height above the seat front 1000 mm, rear 1040 mm - longitudinal front seat 930-1110 mm, rear seat 870-660 mm - seat length front seat 470 mm, rear seat 420 mm - handlebar diameter 385 mm - fuel tank 70 l |
| Box: | normally 821-1950 liters |
Our measurements
| T = 10 ° C – p = 1027 mbar – otn. vl. = 86% | |
| Acceleration 0-100km: | 14,3s |
|---|---|
| 1000m from the city: | 37,0 years ( 137 km / h) |
| Maximum speed: | 167km / h (V.) |
| Minimum consumption: | 12,2l / 100km |
| Maximum consumption: | 16,1l / 100km |
| test consumption: | 13,6 l / 100km |
| Braking distance at 100 km / h: | 43,1m |
| Noise at 50 km / h in 3rd gear | 62dB |
| Noise at 50 km / h in 4rd gear | 60dB |
| Noise at 50 km / h in 5rd gear | 59dB |
| Test errors: | unmistakable |
evaluation
The new Cherokee is vastly improved over its predecessor. It is more attractive, more spacious, easier to operate, more comfortable, more ergonomic and with a better drive. Unfortunately, this is much more expensive. Those who don't mind will buy a good versatile family car to their liking.
We praise and reproach
exterior appearance
field capacity
engine performance
transmission accuracy, gearbox engagement
audio system sound
handling, maneuverability (in size)
small useful solutions
open space
too high a price
car belly too low
no room for the driver's left leg
air conditioning control logic
scarce equipment (also for the price)
rim design
little space for small things
tiresome sound warning system
