Jeep Cherokee (08-10) - Review

On twisting roads, the lack of body control means quick progress isn't pleasant for those in the back, but for long motorway journeys the Cherokee is good thanks to the forgiving ride. There's decent space in the back - especially in terms of head room - while all cars come with leather seats and electronic climate control as standard. Engine noise is more muted at cruising speeds than on the previous model, although wind noise is noticeable at speed. One of the options is an electric retractable canvas sunroof that spans the whole roof can be opened to the front or the rear.

There's a useful cargo area with lashing points on the side panels to help secure items along with a reversible carpet on the load floor. A 10cm deep waterproof storage bin beneath the lid can be used to keep muddy boots in while the 60/40 split rear seats fold down flat to create a large boot space. The rear seats also recline while the front passenger seat folds forward, increasing load space for long items. Ground clearance is impressive at almost 7.5 inches (189mm) and the Cherokee will tow a maximum of 2800kg. A hill-start assist function is also fitted which can hold the car momentarily when pointing uphill to avoid rolling back - handy when towing.

More expensive feeling materials and a subtle two-tone colour scheme help the interior seem more up-market and a big leap forward from the previous Cherokee. The finish could still be better in places and annoyingly there's no reach adjustment on the steering wheel - something you'd expect on a car of this size. The dashboard also still has a predominantly functional look, but all the controls are clearly marked and easy to operate.