The driving position is pretty upright. The Cherokee may be a relative of the Giulietta, but if you’re moving up from a conventional hatch, don’t expect to be able to retain a similar posture, or to find the steering wheel as widely adjustable as that in a Range Rover Evoque.
Don’t expect the same standard of materials, either. Fit, finish and surfaces are improved over Jeeps of old, but there’s not much in here that will keep Land Rover or BMW awake at night. Some soft surfaces aren’t soft enough, some dull ones are too shiny. What’s more impressive is interior volume. The rear bench slides and, with it folded, there’s up to 1.6 metres of load length.
Longitude, Limited, Overland and Trailhawk are the four trim levels. Entry-level models get cruise control, automatic lights and wipers, rear parking sensors and a powered tailgate on the outside as standard, while inside there is dual-zone climate control, electrically adjustable front seats, a nine-speaker Alpine sound system and Jeep's 8.4in touchscreen infotainment system complete with Bluetooth, sat nav and USB connectivity.
Upgrade to Limited and the Cherokee is adorned with front parking sensors, a reversing camera, keyless entry, a Nappa leather upholstery, ventilated front seats and bi-xenon headlights, while Overland models gain a panoramic sunroof, heated steering wheel and thick-pile carpets.
The range-topping Trailhawk model adds hill-descent control, a more rugged suspension, skid plates, numerous durable exterior bodypanels, and a full-size spare, while those after a bit more exclusivity can opt for the 75th Anniversary edition which adorns the Cherokee with a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, Nappa leather upholstery and Bronze interior and exterior decals.
The Cherokee’s dash sits an 8.4in touchscreen as standard. There’s no alternative button control elsewhere on the dash, although there are some shortcuts on the steering wheel.
The screen’s resolution is acceptable and it’s straightforward enough to navigate via a row of menus along the bottom. As standard, the Cherokee has satellite navigation, while audio includes a CD player (in the between-seat centre storage cubby), aux-ins and DAB digital radio. Our phones hooked up via Bluetooth simply enough and call quality was fine.
