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Actually, Jeep isn't actually a manufacturer of SUVs. Jeep? Those were the ones in whose DNA off-road use was anchored as a “duty” and not as a “free choice”. Over the years it has been watered down a bit and then the takeover by FIAT came on top. Meanwhile, the current Cherokee demonstrates how well one could adapt to the idea of the “SUV” - without it hurting. On the contrary, no one has been relieved of the SUV role more credibly than the US boys. Even with an Italian heart.
Test: Jeep Cherokee 2.2 Limited with 200 hp
Chief nailing hoof
Below the Grand Cherokee and above the brand new Renegade ranks the Cherokee. The middle-class SUV of the US boys was not immediately good for everyone. Reason was not the masculine grille in the typical Jeep design, but rather the getting used to design of daytime running lights and headlights. He looks as if he is looking a little bit under pressure into the world. It is going well for the Jeep and with the recent engine update, it should be even better.
New diesel engine
A newly developed 2.2 liter four-cylinder turbo diesel has found itself under the bonnet. The combination of equipment and performance is a bit tricky. If you want to drive the new EU6 diesel with 200 hp, you also have to resort to the noble “Limited version”. The slightly weaker 440 hp diesel would also offer 185 Nm, but this is reserved for the Longitude equipment. And the Jeep Cherokee basic “Sport” course is only available with the 140 hp diesel and front-wheel drive. But jeep and front-wheel drive? That would be like burgers and food combining.
The new 2.2 liter common rail diesel got two balancer shafts and a variable geometry turbocharger from BordWarner. Like many modern engines, this engine returns to the timing belt. The benefits of noise and vibration and the ever-increasing intervals of the belts allow this step.
Its 440 Nm are immediately taken from the new engine. He pushes with that certain sovereignty that one simply expects from US cars. Your ears ring. Unfortunately not the rich V8 sound, it is just the metallic hard nailing of modern diesel engines. Unfortunately. However, the new 2.2 MultiJet Diesel seems to have won in the area of acoustics - the diesel is never penetrating.
He can do 4 × 4
Hard to imagine, but Jeep Cherokee and Alfa Romeo Giulietta share a platform. Along with the Chrysler 200 and the Dodge Dart. All build on the original C platform and now known as Fiat Compact / Compact US known platform. That one can still conjure a car out of it, with which one can also properly in the area, we already have at the IDEA of Cherokee demonstrated.
In order to strike a wide balancing act between front-wheel drive and the “Trailhawk variant”, Jeep distinguishes between three different all-wheel drive systems: Active Drive I, Active Drive II and Active Drive Lock. All three systems are combined with a “disconnectable” rear axle solution, so they are classic “hang-on” all-wheel drives, which for the most part work as pure front-wheel drive systems. The all-wheel drive control is conditioned by the “Selec Terrain System”. A preselection switch can be used to distinguish between “Auto”, Snow, Sport and Sand / Mud. Each of the settings changes the permitted slip on the individual wheels and thus also controls the driving dynamics through yaw moment control on the wheels. Only the Cherokee Trailhawk has the “Active Drive Lock” system with mechanical rear differential lock and reduction gear.
The Limited Cherokee with the 200 hp diesel is available in the all-wheel drive version “Active Drive 1” or “Active Drive 2”, then a reduction gear is installed.
The Cherokee with Active Drive 1 is completely sufficient for normal everyday use. The high spread of the 9-speed automatic allows starting in second gear in everyday life. Anyone who slowly crawls through the forest and terrain is adequately served with the first gear of the ZF 9-speed automatic. And the rest does the electronics. And that is - as far as we have tried it in the muddy forest - extremely effective. The Selec Terrain System, switched in Mud, pre-loads the all-wheel drive. Now there is no need to slip on the front axle, the power is immediately transferred to the slippery surface via all four wheels. Torque interventions, shift strategy and the braking of the individual wheels are carried out sensitively and sensitively. No normal person drives more off-road.
Only the ground clearance can be discussed - 15.7 centimeters for the Active Drive I are manageable. The front-driven variant even has only 14.2 cm. Only the Trailhakw shows 22.1 centimeters. It is only available with a 3.2 liter V6 petrol engine. No engine for everyday German life.
Nine-speed automatic transmission
Nine steps to happiness. The nine-speed automatic transmission from ZF and now manufactured under license by FCA is convincing right from the start. You can only chalk her up for a moment of thought at the kickdown, otherwise she acts exemplary. Worn out shifting processes, like driving in high gear, using the power of the engine, the possibility of “shifting yourself” with the shift stick is quickly forgotten.
An alternative does not exist for the 200 PS diesel engine either. Switch yourself? Only available for the 140 PS diesel with front-wheel drive. The rest goes better with the Neunstufen automatic anyway.
Chief of the SUVs?
It is the loving details that are fun. The little "Willys" in the windshield. The well-done infotainment system. The sovereign acceleration of the diesel and the imperceptible nine-speed automatic. All of this forms into a convincing SUV. The fact that the navigation system often wants to drive "off road" and then for the first time says goodbye to uselessness for reorientation could be a pure software problem and should not burden the test excessively.
The positive qualities predominate. The very good features of the Limited model, for example. The successful suspension tuning with hardly noticeable side tilt. A sovereign top speed and yet manageable thirst.
Fast in 8.5 seconds at a speed of 100 and 204 km / h - the standard shows a combined consumption of 1 liters for the Cherokee with Active Drive 5.7. We did not achieve that, but with an everyday consumption of 7.2 liters we have no problem. The thirst remains pleasant at tough highway stages. Here 8-9 liters are feasible.
Actually a chief, but
Everything speaks for the Cherokee. Even the processing of the Italo Western company car is convincing. The new 2.2 liter is fun, the nine-stage automatic transmission is one of the best in the market. Actually, it's just the question of the price.
And the only thing that bothers you is the lack of choice. Three engines sounds good. But one of them does not fit the German market (3.2 liter gasoline engine) and the other four-wheel drive passion is badly limited. The combination of “large” diesel and “large” off-road package (Trailhawk) should be included in the offer. And why shouldn't you also want to drive the small diesel with pure front-wheel drive as a nine-speed automatic? A question that remains open.
If you want to put together your very own Jeep, you can do so on the website of Jeep Germany do.
"Italo-American SUV speaks your language"
Alternative to: Mercedes-Benz GLC, Hyundai Tucson, Mitsubishi Outlander
Match with: Burger, Diet Coke and the nearest shopping mall
That convinces: Neungang automaton and 440 Nm
Jeep |
Cherokee 2.2 Limited |
| Motor | R4, diesel, turbo, direct injection |
| Capacity | 2.184 cc |
| Performance | 200 hp @ 3.500 rpm |
| kraft | 440 Nm @ 2.500 rpm |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic converter |
| drive axle | Selec-Terrain, Hang-On four-wheel drive |
| Length Width Height | 4.624, 1.859, 1,670 mm |
| wheelbase | 2.700 mm |
| Empty weight | 1.953 kg |
| turning circle | - m |
| top speed | 204 km/h |
| Acceleration 0-100 km / h | 8.5 sec |
| standard consumption | 5.7 l / 100 km |
| everyday driver | 7.2 l / 100 km (diesel) |
| Eco-expert | 6.3 l / 100 km |
| Field service mode | 9.1 l / 100km |
| More about consumption: | That's how we measure on mab |
Test, text and photos: Bjoern Habegger
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