Jeep Cherokee Limited Diesel 2014 review: road test

Having recently driven the V6 petrol Jeep Cherokee and liked it, we were more than ready for the diesel which promised more - for less.

Such was the case with the 2.0-litre turbo diesel model sipping fuel at about 6.0L/100km - significantly less than the 3.2-litre petrol V6.

Engine / Transmission

Goes better too thanks to the prodigious torque delivered at low revs. The turbo diesel achieves 125kW/350Nm placing it slap bang in the middle of the competition.

Explore the 2014 Jeep Cherokee range

• Jeep Cherokee 2014 review: snapshot
• Jeep Cherokee Sport and Trailhawk 2014 review
• Jeep Cherokee 2014 review
• Jeep Cherokee Sport 2014 review
• Jeep Cherokee Limited and Trailhawk 2014 review
• Jeep Cherokee Limited diesel 2014 review
• Jeep Cherokee Limited Diesel 2014 review: snapshot
• Jeep Cherokee Limited Diesel 2014 review: road test
• Jeep Cherokee Sport and V6 Limited 2014 review

But it out-tows all of them at nearly 2.5 tonnes and out-gearboxes them with a nine-speed auto which we reckon is complete overkill.

But that's what you get and you can't tell anyway with the transmission essentially functioning as a seven speeder.

Value

Diesel Cherokee is only available in one spec - Limited at $49,000 and only with the auto transmission. This could limit sales a tad which is a pity because the diesel is such a good thing, but then a top end Rav4 diesel tops 50 grand.

The medium-size Cherokee offers up seating for five and generous luggage space.

It is also generously equipped with leather heated seats, large touchscreen with the latest connectivity solutions, satnav, reverse camera, nine speaker Alpine audio, auto headlights and wipers and plenty more.

Safety

Crash rating is five stars but you can option useful driver assist features like radar cruise control, blind spot warning, forward collision warning, park assist, lane departure warning and rear cross path camera. These cost more money, though.

Driving

Perhaps the most important feature on this vehicle to plenty of potential buyers is its off road capability, boosted in this model with an upgraded 4WD system and low range 4x4. Called Active Drive II, the system is predominantly front-wheel drive with the rear axle engaged as needed - or locked in 4WD.

A selec-terrain system also aids off road driving.

Though ground clearance is only 185mm, the Cherokee diesel offers true, rock hopping, stump jumping, mud pluggin' ability - and backs up as a civilised urban transport vehicle. In this regard, Cherokee is more than your average urban SUV - by a longshot.

Engine stop/start contributes to city fuel economy and fires up instantaneously while the vehicle has a range of around 1000km or better.

It has a bit of turbo-lag that needs to be driven around but otherwise, the diesel Cherokee goes great. It has more throttle response than the petrol and is nearly as smooth and quiet.

The ride is surprisingly good with almost flat cornering thanks to correctly calibrated suspension. Even the brakes are good despite the Cherokee diesel's hefty 1854kg weight.

Design

We are warming to the look of the new Cherokee, but still cringe a tad at the squinty-eye face. The rear end looks like a rehash of Subaru's Tribeca - remember that one...it was a shocker.

Inside is a different story in the US-built Cherokee which stacks up well against the likes of Mazda's CX-5 and others.