The European version of the fifth generation Cherokee was shown in early February 2014, and by mid-spring the Chrysler Group LLC announced Russian prices. Unfortunately, the cost of the novelty, taking into account the transformations made, turned out to be much higher than the experts assumed - so this crossover will not be a “hit of sales”. However, in addition to the price, the new SUV has many drawbacks, noted by critics. True, the Cherokee also has a lot of pluses. In general, let's understand everything in order ...
Concern Chrysler Group LLC is controlled by the Italian concern FIAT, which apparently left its mark on the fifth Cherokee. There is no trace of the previous brutal contours of the Jeep Cherokee body. The novelty has acquired a controversial design in the style of "biodesign", on which FIAT "ate the dog" at one time. Was it good for you? It is unlikely, especially given the fact that if at least a recognizable radiator grill remains in front, then the stern is a "miserable parody of the Korean car industry." A car with the index "KL" is no longer a brutal off-road conqueror, but a typical urban SUV (visually, although in the version with a mono drive - and literally) with elegant and light body features, which is afraid to scratch or bruise on a sudden obstacle somewhere in the forest ...
Now about the dimensions. This car fits neatly into midsize crossovers. The body length is 4624 mm, while the wheelbase is 2692 mm. The width does not exceed 1859 mm in the basic version and 1902 mm in the top version. Height ranges from 1681 to 1722 mm and depends on the type of chassis installed. The curb weight of the Russian version of the Cherokee-KL, in the basic configuration, does not exceed 1738 kg.
The novelty has received a five-seater salon with a completely new interior. But already during the first tests, problems with the comfort of the front seats were revealed, which clearly lack more pronounced lateral support. Against their background, the rear seats look just "highly comfortable", especially considering the fact that they are equipped with a tilt-adjustable backrest and can be moved back and forth.
The ergonomics of the driver's seat is quite well organized, which slightly smoothes out the negative from the uncomfortable seat: all the controls are at hand, easily accessible and do not distract from the expensive. There were no complaints about the quality of the interior sound insulation, but the build quality and fit of the interior parts is clearly lame and does not correspond to the price segment. Another important drawback is the volume of the glove compartment, in which only gloves can really fit.
As for the trunk, it is organized "according to European patterns" - with nets and hooks for luggage, as well as a spare tire neatly packed under the floor. The basic capacity of the luggage compartment is 412 liters. With the second row of seats folded down - 1267 liters.
Specifications. In Russia, the 5th generation Jeep Cherokee will be offered to customers with three engine options, one of which will be a diesel power plant.
- The base engine will be a gasoline 4-cylinder in-line atmospheric unit from the Tigershark MultiAir series with a working volume of 2.4 liters (2360 cm³). The engine is located transversely, equipped with a 16-valve timing, "Fiat" electro-hydraulic variable valve timing system and distributed fuel injection. Its maximum power is declared by the manufacturer at around 177 hp, developed at 6000 rpm. In addition, the engine produces 229 Nm of torque already at 3900 rpm. As a checkpoint, the Americans will offer a 9-speed hydromechanical "automatic" ZF 9HP, and this, we note, is a unique proposal in this class of crossovers. With a junior engine under the hood, the "fifth Cherokee" is able to gain the "first hundred" on the speedometer in 10.5 seconds, and also "eat" about 8.3 liters of gasoline in the combined cycle.
- The top gasoline engine in our market will be another aspirated engine belonging to the Pentastar line. It has six V-shaped cylinders with a total displacement of 3.2 liters (3239 cm³). The flagship engine is equipped with multipoint fuel injection, 24-valve DOHC timing belt, made of aluminum alloy, and its maximum output is 272 hp. at 6500 rpm. The peak torque of the top-end motor falls at around 315 Nm and is reached at 4300 rpm. As a gearbox, the same version of the 9-speed "automatic" is offered, with which the SUV will be able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h in 8.1 seconds and consume about 10.0 liters of fuel for every 100 km in the combined cycle.
- Diesel (which will later be available in Russia) has Italian roots. The 2.0-liter engine from the Multijet II lineup features four in-line cylinders, direct fuel injection, a start / stop system and a variable geometry turbocharger. The maximum power of the diesel power unit is 170 hp. at 4000 rpm, and the peak torque reaches 350 Nm already at 1750 rpm. Dealers will also not offer a choice of a gearbox for a diesel engine, limiting themselves to the same 9-speed "automatic", which allows the diesel "Cherokee" to accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h in 10.3 seconds. In terms of fuel consumption, the 170-horsepower diesel is limited to 5.8 liters on the combined cycle.
The machine is built on the Compact U.S. platform. Wide with rigid monocoque body. At the base, this novelty is a classic mid-size crossover with front-wheel drive, independent suspension with MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link rear suspension system, as well as disc brakes on all wheels (with ventilated discs on the front wheels only).
In more expensive versions, the buyer will be offered a choice of two options for the all-wheel drive system: "crossover" Active Drive I, which connects the rear wheels automatically when the front wheels slip, or Active Drive II, equipped with a low gear with a gear ratio of 2.92 and a lockable center differential based on a multi-disc couplings.
In the top-end version, this car receives a full-fledged off-road Active Drive Lock transmission, which, in addition to Active Drive II equipment, provides a rear differential lock, and also adds a few centimeters of ground clearance.
In terms of driving performance, during the tests, this off-road vehicle demonstrated excellent handling on any road surface (thanks to the front suspension from the Alfa Romeo Giulietta), excellent geometric flotation and easily overcome the 35 ° rise. True, it is worth noting that all this is relevant for the "top Cherokee" - with a full-fledged all-wheel drive transmission. Front-wheel drive "KL" is a typical urban crossover, on which it is not recommended to drive off the asphalt at all.
Options and prices. In Russia, the Cherokee KL is offered in four equipment options: "Sport", "Longitude", "Trailhawk" and "Limited". In the list of basic equipment, the manufacturer included 17-inch alloy wheels, ABS, EBD, stabilization system, 7 airbags, a basic multimedia system with a 5-inch touchscreen display, fabric interior, electromechanical power steering, air conditioning and full power accessories.
The price of the Cherokee in 2015 starts at 2,049,000 rubles. The most affordable version with all-wheel drive will cost at least 2,149,000 rubles. The cost of the maximum configuration "Limited" with a 3.2-liter engine will be 2,890,000 rubles. Well, the diesel version "Limited" (in Russia since April 2015) is offered at a price of 2,899,000 rubles.
