Jeep Cherokee Limited Diesel 2014 Review

For many sun-bronzed Aussies, diesel engines and rugged four-wheel drive vehicles go together like toast and vegemite. So it seems odd that the only oil burner available for Jeep’s just-released Cherokee compact SUV can’t be fitted to the most off-road capable variant, the Cherokee Trailhawk.

Instead, the frugal 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine is reserved for a new luxury-lined, range-topping, Limited variant, albeit one with a sophisticated 4WD system incorporating low range gearing.

Unlike the go-anywhere Jeeps of old, these days the American manufacturer has one foot in each camp with models like the latest, 'unibody' Cherokee, which shares a platform with the road-hugging US-model Chrysler 200 but can be had with a similar off-road package to a rock-hopping Wrangler.

There’s the entry-level, front drive petrol Cherokee for school runs; V6 petrol or diesel powered four-wheel drive versions for week-end adventurers or the jacked-up, trail-rated, petrol-only Trailhawk with skid plates and rear diff lock for the real mud lovers.

But the turbo-diesel eschews Jeep's Trail Rated status. Boasting a hefty $5000 premium over the petrol Cherokee Limited (and $1500 more than the previous range-topping Trailhawk), it gets a (similarly impressive) list of standard goodies. These include 18inch alloy wheels, leather trim with heated front seats, remote starting, Xenon HID headlights with washers and automatic levelling system, Uconnect 8.4in touchscreen with sat nav, instrument cluster with 7inch digital display, front and rear parking sensors with reversing camera and an Alpine nine speaker surround sound system.

Under the bonnet is an Italian-made 2.0-litre VM Motori turbo-diesel engine, which is also set to power Jeep’s upcoming Renegade small SUV. With 125kW at 4000rpm and 350Nm at 1750rpm, it offers less power but more torque than the 200kW/316Nm 3.2-litre V6 petrol engine, but is well short of the Grand Cherokee’s big-banger 184kW/570Nm 3.0-litre V6 diesel.

The result is a less gruff but similarly urgent response from the smaller capacity engine in the lighter (1854kg) Cherokee, as long as you plant the right foot and let the smooth-shifting nine-speed transmission and free-revving engine do its thing.

The free-revving, refined oil burner also promises decent fuel economy if driven with restraint.

Officially it’s almost half as thirsty as the V6 petrol (5.8L/100km Vs 10.0), aided by a stop-start engine function, “industry first” rear axle disconnect when cruising, and smooth road-biased tyres. But as our time in the car was brief and limited mostly to off-road fire trails, we’ll have to reserve judgement on its around-town, fuel-sipping abilities until a longer road test.

The car-like powertrain is backed up on the road by a solid feel and well-weighted electric-assist steering, making it feel secure in the bends. The ZF nine-speed auto seems a good match for the engine, despite some gear changes not being as smooth as we’d have liked. In addition, as is the case with the petrol nine-speeders, there's a reluctance to kick up to top gear at (legal) highway speeds.

While not quite as proficient in the dirt as the Trailhawk, with Jeep’s latest Active Drive II 4X4 system with Selec-Terrain multi-mode drive selector and low range gearing specially tuned for the diesel engine, the Limited Diesel will still go further than most of its ‘soft road’ rivals. The 185mm ground clearance (36mm less than the Trailhawk’s, along with inferior approach and departure angles) is the limiting factor — it scrapes its belly readily when the going gets tougher

Driven back to back with a Cherokee Trailhawk on a mostly off-road drive route around Bright in Victoria’s high country, underlined the Limited's, errr... limitations, as an off-road vehicle, although traction and forward momentum was impressive up and down some quite steep and slippery, rocky and gravelly inclines.

It also felt smoother crawling in low range than the petrol Trailhawk, suffering less from ‘surging’ due to the petrol V6's overly sensitive throttle response.

The Cherokee’s taut but compliant suspension transfers well from smooth bitumen to bumpy trails, absorbing the hits well while the thickly cushioned front seats soak up any additional harshness transmitted into the cabin.

The Limited Diesel also ups Cherokee’s class-leading braked towing capacity from 2200kg (V6 petrol) to 2393kg, which bodes well for owners of mid-size caravans and boats.

Otherwise, the top-spec Cherokee presents as a comfortable, stylish and well-appointed tourer, with the driver treated to a classy, hi-tech dash layout highlighted by two, user-friendly digital displays and premium stereo. It hugs the corners with minimal body roll while road noise is kept to a minimum.

It’s also safe, with a five-star ANCAP rating.

The practical cabin easily fits at least four large adults with sculpted pews in all four outboard positions, split-fold rear seats that fold flat, while boot space is about average for this class (extra points for a full size spare though).

So the Cherokee Limited Diesel impresses with its combination of on- and off-road abilities, comfort, refinement and, on paper at least, excellent fuel efficiency and towing capacity. However, at $50,000-plus on the road it might find its greatest rival is parked alongside at the Jeep dealership in the form of the larger, more practical and not much more expensive Grand Cherokee Laredo diesel…