Jeep Cherokee test drive: Be sure to check out these features!
Even after a comprehensive and successful facelift in 2019, local buyers still preferred to shop for their mid-sized SUVs elsewhere, leading to this model’s recent discontinuation in South Africa. It could still be an appealing used buy, however, with some nifty features to check out when you take one for a test drive.
It is as yet unclear whether the Jeep Cherokee will ever return to local shores, or whether it will be remain relegated to the history books as far as our market goes. Its disappearance was probably inevitable, due to inflated prices (thank our exchange rate for that) and a large degree of product drift (for which we can blame the KL Cherokee’s move to a car-based platform) making it a less-than-viable option in our new-car market.
There are still some used, late-model KL Cherokees in circulation, however, and because they can be had quite cheaply, they may be quite appealing as used-car bargains. We’d advise looking at one of the run-out models, because the 2019 facelift made it a much nicer car than before, and also because the later ones had plenty of contemporary features on offer.
Related: Shop for used Jeep Cherokee cars for sale here.
1. Up-to-date turbo engine
While earlier KL Cherokees were saddled with a rather unpleasant 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine at base level, the facelift introduced a much more-agreeable 2.0-litre turbo 4-cylinder as its default engine. It’s a thoroughly competent and refined power unit, and comes from the same family as the potent mill in the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Giulia.
In this application, it is tuned to deliver 200 kW and 400 Nm, giving good performance and fuel efficiency at the same time. As before, it’s mated to a ZF 9-speed torque converter automatic gearbox, but that added slug of torque help even this hesitant and hunt-prone gearbox to perform quite nicely. For these reasons, this is the Cherokee drivetrain we’d recommend above all others.
For those who still believe that there’s no replacement for displacement, there was also an available 3.2-litre “Pentastar” V6 engine. With outputs of 200 kW and 315 Nm, it’s nowhere near as torque as the new 2.0-litre turbo “four” (and drinks a lot more fuel), but it does sound a bit nicer...
2. Modern connectivity
In line with contemporary trends, the facelifted model’s infotainment system offers a high degree of connectivity. Named U Connect 4, the newer system features full smartphone mirroring and a choice between two colour touchscreen sizes (7.0- and 8.4-inches), with pinch-and-zoom functionality and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi data connection (depending on trim level).
Of particular interest is the wearable device integration, which can connect with iOS and Android-based smart watches to enable certain remote functionality. Using these wearable apps, the driver can control things like the door locks, remote starting, and cabin air-preconditioning; and check on the car’s fuel level and safety status.
3. On- or off-road: The choice is yours
The KL Cherokee has always offered a choice between two AWD systems, with a FWD drivetrain employed in the earlier 2.4-litre base variants as well. As part of the facelift, the FWD option was dropped, leaving all local-market Cherokees with all-wheel drive, with a choice between on- or off-road applications.
The basic AWD is called “Active Drive I”, and is an on-demand system which disconnects the rear axle under normal conditions to save fuel. It only engages the rear wheels if it detects speed differences between the front-and rear wheels, and requires no driver input at all.
In Trailhawk specification, this system is expanded to include a low-range transfer case, rear differential lock and terrain response selector – enough to justify giving it a new name: “Active Drive Lock”. Combined with the Trailhawk’s off-road-optimised bumpers and raised ride height, gives it genuine off-roading capability.
