Order books open for new Jeep Cherokee

Order books have opened for the new Jeep Cherokee, with prices starting from £25,495. First deliveries of the fifth-generation model are scheduled for June.

Buyers will be able to pick from a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel in either 140bhp or 170bhp outputs; torque is rated at 258lb ft for both. Transmission choices include a six-speed manual or a nine-speed automatic. 

Both front- and four-wheel-drive versions of the Cherokee will be available. Cherokees with four-wheel drive will benefit from a rear axle disconnect feature, allowing the Jeep to run in two-wheel-drive only until all four wheels are required. This cuts frictional losses, boosting efficiency.

The Cherokee is further notable for being the first Jeep product to be built on the co-developed Chrysler/Fiat 'Compact US Wide platform' derived from the Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

Available in a choice of Longitude, Longidtude+ and Limited specifications, the new Cherokee comes with LED lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth connectivity and a DAB radio as standard. Longitude+ trim adds an 8.4-inch infotainment screen with satellite navigation and an upgraded stereo, while top-spec Limited editions get 18-inch alloys, Nappa leather seats and a reversing camera.

The Cherokee has also attained a five-star safety rating in Euro NCAP crash testing, a notable increase on its predecessor's three- and four-star rating.

Prices for an entry-level Cherokee start at £25,495 for a 2.0-litre front-wheel-drive model in Longitude specification, rising to £35,695 for a 2.0-litre automatic model with four-wheel drive and in top-spec Limited trim.

A 3.2-litre V6 petrol Trailhawk variant will be made available later this year, with that version likely being more off-road oriented.

Sales of the Cherokee have been strong in the US since it went on sale in the latter half of 2013 as a replacement to the Liberty. In Europe, it will do battle against the likes of the the BMW X3 and Land Rover Freelander.

Additional reporting by Boyan Marinov