New Jeep Cherokee: prices, specs, release date

The 2014 Jeep Cherokee goes on sale later this month, with a range boasting two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, manual and automatic models in the choice of four trims. Prices start at £25,495 and rise to £35,695 on-the-road.

New Jeep Cherokee price & specs

The range starts with the Jeep Cherokee Longitude, costing from £25,495. It is fitted with equipment such as LED tail lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth phone connection, digital radio, leather-wrapped steering wheel and rear park assist.

Longitude+ models carry a £2,200 price premium, for which buyers can enjoy a 8.4-inch touchscreen, sat-nav with Bluetooth voice recognition, and a nine-speaker Alpine stereo. Top of the range Limited models cost a further £3,500, but carry a more comprehensive amount of equipment, including bright bi-xenon headlamps, power tailgate, 18-inch alloy wheels, Nappa leather seats, eight-way power driver’s seat, front and rear park assist with back-up camera, automatic headlights and rain sensors and a Wireless Phone Charging pad.

A further model, called Trailhawk is aimed squarely at off-road driving enthusiasts. It features different styling and raised suspension. It will be fitted with an 3.2-litre V6 which will carry increased running costs. The Trailhawk will be available at the end of 2014.

Details of the new Jeep Cherokee

The new Jeep Cherokee gets a distinctive new look that features a ‘waterfall’ bonnet that incorporates the marque’s traditional seven-slot grille. All Cherokees are fitted with bright LED daytime running lights, while Jeep assures as that the new Cherokee’s interior has made a huge leap in quality and will be available with trim inspired by locations, including: Morocco, the Grand Canyon and Mount Vesuvio.

Safety equipment on the Jeep Cherokee

With a five-star rating already secured from Euro NCAP, we know that the Jeep Cherokee is going to be safe. It is fitted with a range of latest-generation safety features including an autonomous braking that system that can sense an impending collision and brake the car if needed, and Lane Departure Warning-plus which helps to keep the car in lane with subtle steering inputs.

The Jeep is also fitted with active cruise control, which can match the speed of the car in front and return to a preset speed when the way is clear, and a system that warns of approaching vehicles in your blind spot.

New Jeep Cherokee engines and gearbox

Despite its rugged looks, the Cherokee can be bought as a front-wheel drive model. Fitted with the 140bhp diesel engine, Jeep claims 53.3mpg is possible while CO2 emissions of 139g/km means that road tax will cost £130 a year. Choose the four-wheel drive version with the same engine and both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions increase slightly.

The 170bhp version is only available with four-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic gearbox. Its CO2 emissions are rated at 154g/km (£180 a year in road tax) and fuel consumption is claimed to be 48.7mpg.

Both engines get stop-start-technology, which turns the engine off when the car’s at a standstill, and the firm’s rear-axle disconnect system that sends power to just two wheels – to save fuel – when the grippy four-wheel-drive system isn’t needed.

Any any guise, the Cherokee is claimed to be a competent tow car. The front-wheel drive model can tow a 1800kg braked trailer, while the low-power four-wheel drive model actually decreases towing capacity to 1600kg. The 170bhp model can tow 2,475kg - more than its rivals.

Jeep Cherokee on and off-road performance

While other SUVs can quickly get out of their depth on rough terrain you can bet the new Cherokee will be a rugged performer. Its available with two four-wheel-drive systems – Active Drive I and Active Drive II. The latter will be best suited to extreme off road conditions.

In fact, it’s the Jeep’s on-road performance that has let it down in the past and, unsurprisingly, Jeep is claiming improved handling characteristics, with comfortable suspension and minimal body lean in the corners.

2014 Jeep Cherokee price