Jeep Cherokee Limited Diesel

The first thing I noticed about the new Cherokee diesel was the ride. It's one of the most comfortable in its class and a great reason to investigate the popular model further.
Big cosseting, well bolstered Napa leather seats with heated and ventilation function, add to the initial impression of what's in store.
The new two litre diesel is as refined as they come, producing 125 kw and a hefty 350 nm of torque. At idle the engine is subdued, with just a hint of diesel rattle.On the road, in suburbia and on the highway it's virtually inaudible.

The torque gives the Cherokee some real get up and go, and impressed me with its brisk acceleration. Jeep has fitted a 9 speed automatic gearbox to the Cherokee and it can be left to its own devices or you can swap cogs yourself.. It's a seamless,smooth transmission that has all the bases covered as far as traction goes. Auto, Snow, Sport, Sand and Mud.
Jeep's off road prowess wasn't tested during my week with the car but its go anywhere credentials are impeccable considering the brand has been around since 1941.
Despite its weight the Cherokee corners well with minimum body roll and steering feel is very good. I averaged about 8 litres per hundred kilometres in mainly city driving. The official combined fuel consumption cycle is 5.8 litres per 100 ks.

The high intensity discharge headlights are just right on high or low beam.
Jeep has thrown just about everything it could into this Limited model,as far as features and equipment are concerned.
They include self parking, an audible lane departure warning, self steering( as in the Mercedes E class elsewhere in this blog) active cruise control with adjustable distance settings,power tailgate, electric park brake, a large 8.8 inch touch screen, for sat nav and other car functions, reversing camera, and a nine speaker premium Alpine sound system with subwoofer, a glass full length moonroof, with opening front section. 

The quality of the interior fit and trim is excellent...no rattles or squeaks. A sign of a well built vehicle.
Large door pockets take care of most drink bottles and the rear window glass is privacy tinted. 

My only real gripe and it's a relatively small one, is Jeeps insistence on not fitting a "dead" pedal for the driver's left foot. As in other Jeeps your foot has nowhere to comfortably rest.
Owners might get used to it but it is annoying and a simple fix.
From memory however I believe its absence is something to do with Australian Design Rules compliance.

I felt the shiny chrome wheels looked a little out of place and unnecessary bling, but that's just personal taste. 
Jeep's full on TV advertising campaign seems to be working well with the Cherokee holding its own in a sea of competitors and with a quality, good looking product to sell, little can go wrong.
The Jeep Cherokee Limited diesel retails for around 49 K, and is worth every cent.
A very impressive and competent SUV that will take you just about anywhere.
Peter Sellen