Greetings downsizing: Instead of a V6 equipped Jeep his top versions of the models Cherokee and Wrangler now with a supercharged two-liter four-cylinder - true to the motto CO2 reduce performance received.
SP-X / Verona. It was to be expected that in view of the general trend towards less displacement and cylinders, Jeep would also cut off the V6 engines at least in the middle models. Now the American off-road vehicle specialist offers the top versions of the Cherokee and Wrangler series with four-cylinder engines as 2,0 T-GDI (200 kW / 272 PS) at prices as of 49.500 and 47.000 Euro respectively.
The all-rounder Cherokee is the manufacturer with an average consumption of 9,3 liters Super per 100 kilometers, while the boyish Wrangler should be content with nine liters - at least the base version. The fact is that the manufacturer generally has to go down with consumption in order to comply with the EU-wide average CO2 limit across the entire fleet, otherwise penalties are threatened. Currently, the Group still manages with the acquisition of CO2 certificates from Tesla. It is important to find out if the demanding customers in this performance segment can also live with the downsizing engine in terms of power development and refinement.
First laps with the newly developed four-cylinder give no cause for complaint. So the mid-range SUV Cherokee as 2,0 T-GDI impresses with quite a respectable smoothness. The four-wheeler only raises the voice when it lures the machine out of reserve - but then it gives joy and pushes the 1,9-tonner forward vigorously. A good seven seconds pass for the sprint to 100 km / h. However, the turbo can not deny a small Anfahrschwäche, such imperfections do not know large-volume suckers of course. They develop their power linearly. Sponge over it, especially since the Turbo 400 Nm torque already abut from 3.000 tours - the former V6 of the Cherokee offered only 315 Nm at 4.300 revolutions. The fact that the Jeep in some situations not fully realizes accelerator commands in real time, but is also due to the Neunstufen converter automatic transmission, which sometimes reacts a bit sluggish, makes their translation changes extremely supple.
The Wrangler is a completely different caliber despite the same engine. The Jeep veteran stuns again and again with his bizarre and actually contradictory mixture of purism and luxurious approaches. The latest expansion level confronts the driver with a cool touch. Metal optic fittings in stylish red or subtle gray make an industrial look, and two high-resolution displays - one central and the other between the two classic round instruments - bring the infotainment faction on board. Leather-covered surfaces, depending on the equipment, also create a spark of glamor in a car, which thanks to mechanical differential locks, terrain reduction and decoupled stabilizer can be incredibly rough on rough terrain - but also on asphalt: for example, easy handling, at least if you are within the guideline speed emotional.
The Wrangler even does certain disciplines excellently - short road shafts swallow its coil springs extremely well. It's not a bad idea from Jeep to position the lifestyle icon as everyday as possible, especially since even in this segment few customers are likely to drive into the gravel pit. Long distances on the slopes are no problem with the whole blood 4 × 4.
Incidentally, the new direct-injection four-cylinder fueled the Wrangler felt like the Cherokee - both are about the same weight. But nominally it is at least the "Rubicon" but about one and a half seconds longer to the one hundred mark. Its eight-speed automatic torque converter shifts a bit more lively than the nine-speed output for the cross-engineered platforms. In the obviously less insulated Wrangler the unit sounds sharper, but never unpleasant.
Of course, the Cherokee, which is quite comfortable in the overall package, offers infotainment at the same level as the Wrangler - smartphone integration, voice control, everything there what your heart desires. And as a "Trailhawk" with differential lock, off-road and underride protection, it mutates in return to the right Kraxler - in still everyday use, but less extroverted packaging. Keyword for everyday use: The Cherokee offers plenty of room for its passengers almost 1.600 liters of luggage compartment volume with folded rear seat backs. For the Wrangler can change depending on the model without further ado to the convertible. So there is the right thing for every user.