Skip advert
Advertisement

Jeep Cherokee diesel review

Most UK buyers will choose the Jeep Cherokee diesel, and we've had the chance to test it

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Avg. savings
£9,684 off RRP*
Find your Jeep Cherokee
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

When you’re bringing a new product in to a market segment as competitive as the mid-size SUV class you need to have something special. The new Jeep Cherokee diesel has its merits, particularly its technology, off-road ability and head-turning design but it’s not as special as it has to be to lead this class. But it’s a huge leap forwards for Jeep; it’s a genuinely competitive car and one that you should certainly consider.

Advertisement - Article continues below

We've had a go in the new Jeep Cherokee before but only in the US and only with a V6 engine that will make up a fraction of UK sales. The majority of buyers will go for the 2.0-litre diesel and now we’ve had a chance to try it out for the first time.

It comes with either 138bhp or 168bhp, and we’re trying the more powerful unit here, which also happens to come as standard with the new nine-speed automatic gearbox.

It’s a pretty good combination, with nice, smooth shifts from the auto box. We didn’t have any issues with it feeling like it was holding on to gears for too long or shifting through the ratios too quickly – probably due to the fact it has 40 different maps and switches between them depending on your driving style.

Jeep Cherokee diesel 2014 rear

The engine itself provides enough power for a 0-62mph time of 10.3 seconds, which is quick enough to ensure it never feels slow but it never particularly rapid either. Refinement at a cruise is pretty good but if you try and use all of the engine’s performance and venture in to the upper reaches of the rev range it does begin to sound a bit coarse. Thankfully it does much of its best work just above 1750rpm so you don’t need to rev it too hard to get the most from it.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Grand Cherokee

2019 Jeep

Grand Cherokee

2,000 milesAutomaticDiesel3.0L

Cash £44,950
View Grand Cherokee
Grand Cherokee

2015 Jeep

Grand Cherokee

119,127 milesAutomaticDiesel3.0L

Cash £10,000
View Grand Cherokee

The nine-speed gearbox does its part to reduce fuel economy, as does the clever four-wheel-drive system, which acts as front-wheel drive for the majority of the time. The official figures are 48.7mpg and 154g/km but a 138bhp version of this engine with a manual gearbox and front-wheel-drive manages 53.2mpg and 139g/km.

As a Jeep, the Cherokee is touted as having best-in-class off-road credentials – especially if you go for the flagship Trailhawk model. It’s only available with a V6 petrol engine, so it’ll sell in small numbers, but it comes with a raised ride height, a locking rear-diff and unique bumpers for better approach and departure angles. A 35-minute off-road course proved it can tackle all the rough stuff that a Grand Cherokee can take on.

But on-road manners are undoubtedly more important here and Jeep says it’s worked hard on improving those, too. Out on the road in a Cherokee Limited we found the suspension was soft enough to keep the ride comfortable but there’s a slight disconnect between car and driver in the bends. The body rolls a little too much and the steering feels too numb to give you the kind of involvement you get from a BMW X3, for example.

Jeep Cherokee diesel 2014 interior

The Limited comes packed with kit: heated and cooled leather seats, an 8.4-inch colour touchscreen in the centre console, a seven-inch TFT screen in the instrument cluster, a reversing camera and a wireless charging pad are all thrown in. But while the hi-tech screens and contrast-stitched dashboard look great, the gearlever surround and some low-down plastics look – and feel – a bit cheap. A shame when we’re expecting a price-tag of just over £30,000 for this model.

That’s less than models like the Audi Q3 but more than a Nissan Qashqai. Which one you should go for really depends on your needs – the Audi feels more luxurious and the Qashqai feels like a better all-rounder but the Jeep has more rugged appeal and it definitely stands out from the crowd. It’s not a go-to choice but it is certainly a worthy alternative to the usual SUV crowd.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Jeep Grand Cherokee

RRP £72,414Avg. savings £9,684 off RRP*Used from £10,000
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,115 off RRP*Used from £14,400
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £11,895
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £2,391 off RRP*Used from £16,797
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Ford Fiesta: latest details on supermini’s potential return
Ford Fiesta exclusive image

New Ford Fiesta: latest details on supermini’s potential return

The Ford Fiesta could be coming back as an electric car, and here’s everything we know so far
News
20 May 2025
Labour hints at major luxury car tax U-turn to boost EV sales
Luxury car tax

Labour hints at major luxury car tax U-turn to boost EV sales

Is pressure from retailers and car makers finally cutting through with ministers?
News
22 May 2025
Flawed hybrid car efficiency data to stifle UK EV sales and propagate pollution
Connecting charger to Hyundai Tucson PHEV

Flawed hybrid car efficiency data to stifle UK EV sales and propagate pollution

Half a million extra PHEVs could reach UK roads by 2030 in place of cleaner EVs due to changes surrounding the ZEV Mandate
News
19 May 2025