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ROAD TEST REPORT

August

JEEP CHEROKEE SPORT

2.5 Litre Turbo Diesel Manual

FEATURES

BEST WORST

New diesel engine gives
improved on-road performance
Good off-road ability
Improved luggage space

Cramped footwell in manual version
Rear tailgate needs a lot of space to
fully open
Small rear door openings

The new Jeep Cherokee that debuted late last

year not only presented a bold new look, it also
introduced two new engines, new suspension and
steering, and a number of new features.

In this report we test the Sport version,

powered by the all-new 2.5 litre DOHC direct
injection common rail turbo diesel engine built
by DaimlerChrysler. The previous diesel engine
was an Italian-made 2.5 litre OHV unit with
indirect mechanical fuel injection.

The Sport also comes with a 3.7 litre SOHC

V6 that produces more power and torque than
the previous 4.0 litre OHV in-line six.

The more upmarket Cherokee Limited comes

only with the V6 petrol engine. There’s no choice
of transmissions - if you buy the V6 you get an
automatic, if you buy the diesel you get a manual.

The diesel model comes with Command-

Trac part-time 4WD while the two V6 models
have Selec-Trac (selectable) full-time 4WD.

Prices start at $43,990 for the Sport V6, the

Sport diesel is $1,000 more at $44,990 and the
Limited V6 costs $47,990.

Suspension changes include a switch from rear

leaf springs to links and coils and a revised coil
spring independent front suspension. There’s also
a new aluminium front diff housing, designed for
use with the IFS. A rack and pinion steering
system replaces the old recirculating ball system.

Though this latest Cherokee’s braking

system retains a front disc/rear drum set-up,
both the discs and drums have been enlarged
for greater cooling capacity. The Limited
model’s ABS has been refined and electronic
brake force distribution introduced.

Equipment levels in the Sport version aren’t

quite as extensive as those in the Limited, but
it still scores pretty well. In addition to items
already mentioned, it has dual front airbags,
air conditioning, power windows, remote
central locking, engine immobiliser, stereo
system with single CD player, exterior mirrors
that are heated, electrically adjustable and
fully foldable, a tilt steering column and roof
rails.

The Limited adds ABS, alloy wheels, leather

trim, power adjustable front seats, an alarm, front
fog lamps, an overhead console with trip
computer, a cargo compartment cover, a higher
grade sound system with 6-stack CD changer,
cruise control and front seat map pockets.

Though the Cherokee is quite a competent

off-road performer in standard form, there is the
option of an ‘Off Road Group’ pack which
includes heavier duty tyres, and fuel tank and
transfer case skid plates, for $1,090.

These latest Cherokees to some extent at least,

re-invent the traditional Jeep look, with the front
end featuring a very prominent seven-slot grille
flanked by round headlights. The body coloured
wheel arches protrude a lot more than on the
previous model and the new body is also taller.

For greater cargo space, the spare wheel has

been moved outside and is mounted on the
swing-out lower tailgate. The upper section is
glass and it can be opened via the remote, or by
exerting gentle pressure on the lower gate release
handle. Access to the now usefully larger rear
load area is easy with this system, however like
most swing-out tailgates, a lot of room is needed
behind the vehicle to fully open it.

Occupant space and comfort is still much the

same as we reported for the previous model. Up
front there’s a reasonable amount of legroom, but
the footwell is cramped, leaving nowhere for
drivers of the manual version to comfortably rest
their left foot. Seat comfort is a personal thing,
however for me, the cushion was too short to
provide effective thigh support and the backrest
shaping didn’t suit me.

Rear leg space is reasonable and seat

comfort rates as average, but the seat width is
a bit narrow to take three adults and the small
rear door openings make access awkward.

As is usual for a diesel engine, best performance

is available within a specific rev range and this
new DOHC unit gives its best from 2,000 to
around 3,500 rpm. Below or above those speeds,
there’s not a lot of urgency about its response.

Nevertheless, this model (which is also

heavier) shaved 1.4 seconds off the 0-100 km/h
time recorded by the previous diesel we tested. It
was 1.2 seconds faster from 0-80 km/h and took
0.6 seconds less to cover the standing 400 metres.

We also recorded better fuel consumption

figures – 1.6 litres/100 km better in city
running, 1.1 better in highway-type conditions
and 1.3 litres/100 more economical overall.

SUMMARY:

With its latest technology diesel engine

giving more power and better fuel economy,
and the new suspension and steering providing
an improved on-road driving performance, the
latest series Cherokee Sport diesel is a more
attractive proposition than the previous model.

Though the two Cherokee V6 petrol models will

provide stronger performance, plus the
convenience of automatic transmission and
selectable full-time 4WD, the combination of a
diesel engine and manual transmission will
generally prove superior when the going gets
tough, and will also save you money on fuel bills.

JEEP CHEROKEE SPORT

SPECIFICATIONS

ENGINE:
Type ....Four cylinder, in-line, DOHC, 16 valves
Capacity in litres..................................... 2.499
Induction ......... Direct injection, turbocharged
Fuel .......................................................Diesel
Claimed max. power ...... 105 kW at 3800 rpm
Claimed max. torque ...... 343 Nm at 2000 rpm
Specific power output.................42.0 kW/litre
TRANSMISSION:
Type .................................. Five speed manual
Driving wheels .....Selectable four wheel drive
Speed per 1000 rpm in top gear.......42.5 km/h
WHEELS: ....................... Steel, 7.0 x 16 inch
TYRES: ...... Goodyear Wrangler, 235/70 R16
Spare: ....................... Matching size and type
STEERING:
Type ............... Power assisted rack and pinion
Turns lock to lock....................................... 3.5
Turning circle (measured) .............11.0 metres
DIMENSIONS:
Mass ................................................... 1735 kg
Length ..............................................4496 mm
Width (incl. mirrors 2100 mm) ........1819 mm
Height...............................................1866 mm
Ground clearance (measured).............175 mm
Seating capacity ............................................ 5
Fuel tank capacity............................... 70 litres
TOWING:
Max. towed mass (trailer plus load)........ 2250 kg
Max. towball download (laden trailer) . 225 kg
NRMA THEFT RATING:
Points on 0-110 scale (high score best) ....... 67
WARRANTY: .........Three years, 100,000 km
MANUFACTURED IN:............... Ohio, USA

TEST RESULTS

ACCELERATION:
50 - 80 km/h (in 3rd) ............................5.2 sec
60 -100 km/h (in 3rd) ...........................8.7 sec
0 - 80 km/h ......................................... 10.2 sec
0 - 100 km/h ....................................... 15.6 sec
0 - 400 metres..................................... 19.8 sec
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Litres/100 km in city ................................ 10.2
Litres/100 km on highway.......................... 9.0
Litres/100 km overall ................................. 9.4
BRAKING:
Distance to stop from 80 km/h ......33.4 metres
NOISE:
Interior at constant 80 km/h..............70 dB(A)

•

Test vehicle supplied by DaimlerChrysler

Australia/Pacific Pty Ltd

By Bob Hudson MIAME

Vehicle Evaluation Engineer

National Roads and Motorists’

No. 650

Association Limited

ABN 77 000 010 506

trading as

NRMA Member Services

June 2002

MEMBER SERVICES