2005 Jeep Cherokee Reviews

The introduction of the all-new Jeep Cherokee KL Series in July 2014 has resulted in quite a few people upgrading from their old Cherokees, resulting in many trade ins waiting to be shifted from used-car yards. There might be some good prices on offer as dealers try to clear their stocks. No promises, but why not see for yourself?Official imports of Jeeps to Australia didn't begin 1994 but many were brought in privately for years before that. These older models are probably best left to Jeep enthusiasts (of which there are plenty) as spares and repairs can be a hassle. Also, Cherokees prior to September 2001 are positively antique by today's standards, dating back to the early 1980s.Jeep Cherokee is a station wagon with very good off-road ability. It's not quite in the class of Jeep Wrangler in ultra-tough off-road situations, but does much more than most owners ask, and is significantly more comfortable than the Wrangler.Though the new Jeep KK Series, launched in March 2008 retained its off-road ability, it was more sophisticated than the KJ Series it replaced and it's certainly more than a soft-roader. The KK has the spare wheel under the rear of the vehicle, not on the back door. It's significantly longer in the wheelbase and the cabin. The boot is also longer, though it is relatively high off the ground, so loading isn't all that easy and the overall interior height has been compromised.Petrol engines are straight sixes and V6s. Both powerplants are pleasant to sit behind, with good low end grunt. The V6 has been improved substantially over the years and is more economical than the old straight unit. Turbodiesels first arrived back in 1997 and have become increasing common over the years. Some of the turbodiesels share components with Mercedes, as Chrysler and Mercedes were in partnership at one time.These are relatively easy vehicles to work onDrive is normally taken to the rear wheels only but four-wheel drive can be used on bitumen as well as off-road. That gives the added safety of extra grip if used on wet roads. Numerous electronic aids are used in the later models making off-road driving available to the relatively inexperienced. But we suggest you play it safe and have at lease one expert along before you get too bold.These are relatively easy vehicles to work on, with good underbonnet space and a relatively simple mechanical makeup. Spare parts prices are about average for a 4WD in this class and the dealer network works efficiently.Insurance is seldom over-expensive, and we know of no real differences from one major insurer to another as far as premiums are concerned. As always when shopping around for insurance, it's important to know what you are getting, and not getting, for your money.Check under a Jeep Cherokee for signs of damage caused by off-road driving.Check for salty-tasting sand, the latter indicates beach use and may mean heavy rust is on the way.Look out for poorly fitted componentsBe sure that the engine starts quickly even when cold. Idle should be smooth virtually from the instant of start up. The engines should pull without hesitation at all times. None are all that smooth at the top end of the rev range, but if it appears too bad there may be troubles. Listen for a rumbling sound from the lower end of a petrol six. Check there are no oil fumes from the exhaust or the oil filler cap.Make sure the transfer-case lever isn't too heavy and that the transmission works relatively smoothly and quietly at all times.Look out for poorly fitted components as build quality is nothing special, the interior is generally the worst.Check everything is working properly, even the minor items. Going through these one at a time using the owners' handbook is the best method.

Gone are the days when more mud meant more status among four-wheel drivers and it was a requirement not to wash it off for as long as possible for a better effect.The purpose of these vehicles is now often overlooked, together with the ability to get out and see parts of the country you can't otherwise see in a car or soft-roader.With a 4WD in the garage, the urge to do some off-roading was too great.It was also a chance to test Jeep's new top-of-the-line $49,090 2.8-litre turbo-charged diesel Cherokee Limited.The new engine produces 9 per cent more power (120kW at 3800rpm) and 11 per cent more torque (400Nm at 1800rpm) than the previous 2.8-litre diesel engine.It was an early start on Sunday morning as the nose of the Jeep Cherokee Limited was pointed towards Oberon. In retrospect, probably a good trip to do with an overnight stop.A stop at the local tourism office in Oberon and $5.50 got us a detailed map and directions to some of the local camping grounds only accessible by 4WD. And the words "only accessible by 4WD" meant some real four-wheel driving, not just dirt roads.The route decided on was down through Shooters Hill, the Gurnang State forest and into the Blue Mountains National Park to the Dingo Dell camping ground.The road is tar until the turn-off into the state forest and, while the dirt roads are well graded, beware of a few car-sized pot holes along Banshea Rd.Once you hit the fire trail, the track takes you along the Boucher Ridge and the 4WD access sign is pretty accurate.When travelling across the ridge, there are some pretty steep descents and a heap of huge wash-out areas that require slow speeds.The Cherokee chugged on down the track with 4WD and low gear selected.It took about 30 minutes to get to the bottom (with a quick stop to admire a beautiful waterfall on the way).The track finally wound down to the river and opened to a clearing and more than half a dozen other 4WDs.The route continues across the Kowmung River (water crossing), along the Bull Ant Ridge and up the Kowmung River Fire Trail before linking up to the Kanangra Walls Rd.Time did not permit tackling this section, which, according to the tourist officer – whohad done the track just a few weeks prior – takes about an hour and is a slow-going and "challenging" track.So, we headed back up the mountain and out the same way we came in.The camping area is back to basics bush camping, with the only facilities a pit toilet.Going back up is steep and the dry clay track was a bit slippery, so recovery gear may be required if the track is wet.The torquey diesel pulled well up the track although, being automatic, it did require feathering of the accelerator.Even in full-time 4WD, where most suddenly acquire a great thirst for the gold stuff, the diesel engine was not thirsty.Our 600km round trip did not use a full tank of juice. On the highway, the tacho sat comfortably on about 1800rpm and only jumped higher when the right pedal was squeezed for overtaking.The suspension is a little bouncy on the open road and the overall feel is more truck-like than a soft roader due to being made in the mould of traditional 4WD construction, rather than city comfort.That said, the Cherokee Limited does not compromise on luxury inside. It's funky and modern interior has full steering wheel controls for cruise control and radio, a compass on top of the rear-view mirror and leather seats.The seats, which fold flat in the rear, provide plenty of room inside for five adults.Cargo space is reasonable with the seats up – easily fitting the esky, chairs, barbecue, gas cylinder and odds and ends needed for this trip.The centre console is reasonable in size but the glove box seemed a little small. The doors have side pockets to fit a street directory and the rear doors have drink holders. The full sized spare adds reassurance.The trip provided the opportunity to experience the car doing what it is made for – and it easily passed the test.The Cherokee is perfect for those who want to get away and is made to go further than most would ever want to take it.

Add Cherokee and one has a sense of tribal power. It's an alluring combination and, frankly, I've long harboured a whim to get behind the wheel of a Jeep Cherokee.So, all my Christmases came at once when a feisty silver 2005 turbo diesel was put into my hands for girl testing. They make them for girls these days – fuel injection, power steering, automatic ...As an habitual manual driver, I was a bit askance at first but, hey, automatic is just a bit delicious. Like a duck to water, I took to it and off we chugged. Amazingly, this high-riding hard worker is as comfortable in the city as it is on dirt roads. It fits better into tight city parking stations than most sedans. You would not think it, looking at the vehicle. But it's a lean machine – and it even has flipper wing mirrors, which tuck flat in when you are going into a tight spot. How good is that.Between home, the shops and work, the Cherokee refused to drink, or so it seemed. The fuel gauge stayed so long on full that I started to worry. But when a couple of hard-driving days in the country took the fuel only to half, I figured it is just plain economical.The interior is classy without being showy. There are not too many gadgets, with a lot of controls neatly confined to the steering wheel. Above the rear-vision mirror is the temperature read-out etc – with the added feature of telling one in which direction one is travelling.I love that.The cup holders are a bit of an issue. There is one in the central console area – and the central storage unit is a bit awkward, being set a bit far back for the short-legged driver.But the interior door handles are the best I have encountered in a car. Sleek stainless-steel grips one slips the hand through. There are nice, sturdy hand-holds on both passenger and driver's side, too. Nifty for swinging sportily in to the car or for steep off-roading.The rear window opens with a double click on the key-ring control and the lower gate can be opened manually thereafter. The luggage area is like the car. It is more capacious than one thinks. And the interior generally seems spacious for the growing world of long-legged people. Headroom, too. It is quite a tall vehicle.Naturally the fun with this vehicle is in going out on to the rough roads – and the Cherokee surged merrily on the dirt, at home in front of a cloud of dust. Despite the warning signs about tippability inside the car, its road holding felt very secure on the winding dirt roads.Not that I am inclined towards any idiot derring-do in any motor car. Which is why I only got to open up the turbo power for one country overtake – and I was glad of the sure surge which made it a safe and easy manoeuvre.In all, the Cherokee is a trim, taut and terrific member of the compact 4WD family.