The Jeep Cherokee gets an aesthetic and technological update and arrives in Spain from 44,200 euros

As has happened with practically all off-roaders with several generations behind them, these have abandoned austerity and the broad off-road capabilities that characterised them to succumb to the SUV trend that currently sets the pace in the market. Iconic models such as the Jeep Cherokee are an example of this, although it is one of the few that still retains certain off-road capabilities which, dressed up with good styling, still keep it as a standard-bearer of the American brand.

The Jeep Cherokee will arrive this autumn with a refreshed look, as the brand has subjected it to light but perfectly visible revisions affecting the three trim levels Longitude, Limited and Overland that will be available. But these will not be the only new features, as its interior and equipment have also been updated, as has the engine range, which now welcomes the Multijet II petrol engine.

Starting with its exterior styling, the front still looks just as attractive and aggressive but is now undoubtedly more elegant. To achieve this it features a new bumper design that alters the lower air intake, now much more streamlined, and consequently the position of the fog lights and the two front Full-LED headlights that integrate the daytime running lights. Looking at the rear, the tail is also more attractive with the new bumper, which reduces the areas of black plastic, also leading to a new tailgate design and rear light cluster.

The new Jeep Cherokee will still allow a suitable level of personalisation, as long as we do not venture into the Mopar world, where up to 90 accessories will be available to suit all tastes. In any case, the new Jeep Cherokee’s colour palette grows from 8 to 10 with the introduction of the Olive Green and Pearl White colours, while five wheel options are available.

Inside, the cabin has not changed as much as the exterior, though enough to bring a greater sense of quality and modernity. To do so, Jeep has used Piano Black and Satin Chrome finishes on elements such as the centre console and air vent surrounds, and some buttons have also been redesigned or even relocated, such as the parking brake button, now positioned next to the gear lever.

On the equipment front, like the rest of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Group’s recent launches, the new Jeep Cherokee features the latest Uconnect systems, which vary depending on the trim level chosen: either the Uconnect with a 7-inch screen or the Uconnect and Uconnect NAV with an 8.4-inch screen, all of them high-definition capacitive touchscreens with hands-free capability, although it is with the Uconnect NAV screen that we can get most out of the LIVE services. Naturally, and moving on to safety equipment, the Jeep Cherokee also offers, depending on the trim chosen, systems such as ParkSense parking assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, rear-view camera or Forward Collision Warning, among many others.

In terms of mechanicals, in Spain it will initially be offered with the 2.2 MultiJet II turbodiesel engine, available in two power outputs: 150 CV and 350 Nm of torque when paired with the six-speed manual gearbox, while opting for the nine-speed automatic raises the power to 195 CV and the torque to 450 Nm. Either way, with both options the Jeep allows you to choose between 4×2 or 4×4 configurations.

Later, sometime in the first quarter of 2019, Jeep will introduce another option with the new 2,000 cc petrol engine, delivering 270 CV and a maximum torque of 400 Nm. This engine will only be available with the nine-speed automatic gearbox, and only for the 4×4 versions. Jeep does not yet provide consumption and emissions figures for this engine, but the brand assures it will be very efficient.

You won’t have to wait long to see the new Jeep Cherokee on Spanish roads, as the brand will put it on sale from this September, with a starting price set at 44,200 euros. By the way, the Trailhawk version, the most adventurous and countryside-oriented, will not reach dealerships until 2019.