Jeep Cherokee Longitude 2015 review

The all-new Jeep Cherokee has styling that's out of the ordinary for the iconic marque, but it still has plenty of cues to follow the design brief that 'Jeeps must look like Jeeps'.

The designers have done a very good job in adding aerodynamic sleekness to the new body, but have held onto enough of the shape of the most iconic of them all, the Jeep Wrangler, to make it instantly recognisable.

An interesting feature is a nine-speed automatic transmission, though we should warn you now that unless you're in the Northern Territory it's unlikely you will ever see the Jeep in top gear

New Cherokee will certainly appeal to those seeing the hugely successful 'He bought a Jeep' advertising campaign. The new Jeep Cherokee KL series has good all-terrain ability (of course), better fuel efficiency, lower emissions, plenty of the latest technology, and advanced safety systems.

An interesting feature is a nine-speed automatic transmission, though we should warn you now that unless you're in the Northern Territory it's unlikely you will ever see the Jeep in top gear. The gearing is set for countries that have more sensible speed limits than ours.

Available in four models, Sport, Longitude, Limited and Trailhawk, with a choice of two petrol engines and a turbo-diesel, prices start at $33,500, plus on-road costs. Our test Jeep Cherokee was a Longitude 4WD with a 3.2-litre petrol V6 and the aforementioned nine-speed automatic, priced at $39,000. It was fitted with the optional 8.4-inch touch screen Uconnect radio with satellite navigation.

Styling

Designers have given us a front end that's still slightly controversial in the shaping of the seven-slot grille, though it seems to be becoming more accepted by the day. It has signature Jeep cues such as the, trapezoidal wheel arches and the characteristic kink in the beltline.

Interestingly the DRLs (daytime running lights) are situated high on the front for effectiveness while fording water - we love that. The Cherokee KL Series cabin was named one of Ward's 10 Best Interiors for 2014 (compiled by US-based automotive resource WardsAuto).

Engines / Transmissions

The 3.2-litre Pentastar V6 200 kW makes its debut in the new Cherokee Longitude. It's a smaller derivative of the 3.6-litre Pentastar unit we have seen in the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Journey and Chrysler 300 for several years.

Jeep Cherokee is the first mid-size SUV to feature rear-axle disconnect, the axle seamlessly switches between two- and four-wheel drive without driver input. That's to minimise fuel use and emission production. When conditions get tough Jeep's Selec-Terrain traction control system lets the driver choose the on- and off-road setting for optimal performance. There are five settings - Auto, Snow, Sport, Sand/Mud and Rock.

Infotainment

The test vehicle was fitted with the optional Uconnect system with satellite navigation allowing the driver to control sat-nav, audio, climate controls and much more from the touch screen, additional controls on the centre stack below the screen or with voice commands.

With large touch areas, the 8.4-inch colour screen with Uconnect is easy to use and includes Bluetooth connectivity, and audio streaming capability. The driver can tailor the display to show speed, real-time fuel consumption, safety warnings, audio information and the Selec-Terrain system.

Safety

Seven airbags include multistage driver and front passenger airbags, driver knee bag, front seat-mounted side airbags and all-row side curtain airbags. A five-star ANCAP rating has been gained.

Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes are backed up by Electronic Stability Control, traction control and hill-start assist. A tyre pressure monitoring system has all-wheel display.

Driving

Seating is provided for up to five adults, though four and a child is probably the preferred load for most. The high driving position provides good forward and side visibility, but the relatively shallow back windows mean there's relatively restricted rear view. Large exterior mirrors make life simpler.

The powered tailgate, controlled from the key fob, allows easy access to the cargo area. This can be extended by folding the rear seatbacks flat. A handy feature in the Longitude is that the front passenger seatback folds to offer a flat area for to provide a desk for the man on the move - though obviously he (or she) shouldn't be using it while the Jeep is in motion. In-seat storage is accessed by flipping up the seat cushion.

Response from the 3.2-litre V6 is so good off the mark you can spin the wheels of you're not paying attention. Once up to speed, the automatic transmission works with quiet efficiency in a very smooth and easy American manner. Shift mapping automatically changes to suit varying conditions and the big choice of gears (keep in mind there are nine of them) means there's something for every driver in every road or off-road condition.

Jeep claims the new Cherokee's V6 is 20 per cent more fuel efficient than the engine it replaces. Our test Longitude had impressively low consumption of just 6.5 to 7.0 litres per 100 kilometres on the motorway. But that jumped to 13 to 15 litres per 100 in city and suburban traffic.