Jeep Cherokee 75th Anniversary Edition 2016 new car review
There are 40 special versions of the KL-series Cherokees for Kiwi Buyers, priced at $54,990.
As well as bringing in a 75th Anniversary Edition of it's bigger brother the Grand Cherokee, the local Jeep distributor also has 40 special versions of the KL-series Cherokees for Kiwi Buyers priced at $54,990.
It's a derivation of the Cherokee Latitude variant, which comes with a 3.2-litre V6 Pentastar petrol engine, nine-speed automatic transmission, and Jeeps Active Drive II all-wheel-drive system.
Just like it's bigger Grand Cherokee sibling, Jeep is distinguishing the 75th Anniversary KL series Cherokee is by the satin bronze coloured "Since 1941" badges on the lower flanks of the two front doors, as well as the Jeep, Cherokee, and 4x4 badges also being satin bronze with orange drop shadow detailing.
Even the traditional Jeep seven-slot radiator grille on the Cherokee's uniquely styled waterfall bonnet has been a recipient of the satin bronze treatment.
The 75th Anniversary Edition Cherokee also wears four unique satin bronze finished alloy wheels, which contrasts nicely with the white paintwork and the black plastic lower front and rear fascia valance and the sills underneath the doors.
Inside the cabin, there are satin bronze effects all through the dashboard and console, steering wheel boss, with contrasting orange and white twin stitching through the seat upholstery, around the top of the centre cubby, as well as across the door cards, and the dashboard upper panel.
The only other change to this vehicle from the standard Cherokee Latitude model is the addition of the larger 8.4-inch colour touchscreen, which regrettably doesn't offer navigation, and we are told that retrofitting it is not possible.
The UConnect infotainment system which integrates with Siri for voice-activated calling is also driven through the touch screen as are the heating and ventilation controls and other vehicle control functions too.
Mould-breaking
After four generations of square and boxy Cherokees, being the SJ, XJ, KJ, and KK series produced from 1974 to 2013, the launch of the KL series with its waterfall bonnet, recessed headlamps and high-mounted daytime running lamps in 2013 was a 'WTF' moment for many of the Jeep faithful.
The logic behind the KL series Cherokee was simple; Jeep needed to broaden its audience to a younger demographic which included more female buyers across the globe.
Industry legend has it that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles boss Sergio Marchionne was shown seven concept vehicles in a design studio, from a copy of the then existing boxily-styled KK series, through to the then radical-looking KL.
The Machiavellian Marchionne, according to this industry tale marched straight to the KL design concept presented and said: "That's my car."
Once again, the man who headed the buyout of the ailing Chrysler Jeep empire from a group of shareholders including the UAW pension fund and the US and Canadian governments proved his gut instinct to be right.
In 2013, Jeep manufactured 31,000 KL Cherokees for global markets ramping up to 236,000 in 2014 and up again the following year, producing more than 295,000 units in 2015.
Daily Driver
While it may only be a three-year-old design the KL Cherokee has been subject to ongoing improvements, and the 75th Anniversary Edition is the best version yet produced.
The seats are very comfortable, the driving position is good, the car is well equipped and well finished, nothing squeaks or rattles, the plastics are of high quality and this car easily rivals the Japanese and Korean brands for quality and execution.
You didn't say that about a Jeep a few years ago. Frankly, before Fiat got a hold of them and started working on the interiors and sharing platforms and drive trains, they were pretty ordinary. More importantly, the KL Cherokee is fun to drive, and it is nice to drive.
This factor is no doubt helped by the fact that it sits on the same platform as the Alfa-Romeo Giulietta hatch, and it has a 200kW Chrysler Pentastar 3.2-litre V6 engine under the bonnet.
Allied to the nine-speed automatic, the V6 engine just puts the power down effortlessly and seamlessly, with a beautiful induction roar coming into the cabin. That may also explain why we never got within close of the 10l/100km average fuel consumption figure quoted by Jeep.
The Select Terrain system provides a 'Sport' mode as well as an automatic mode, and a mode for snow as well as sand and mud. But for day to day running the Cherokee mainly uses its front wheels, only engaging the rear two when additional power and traction are required
The 75th Anniversary Edition Cherokee also provided plenty of specification for the asking price. There is dual-zone climate air conditioning, cup holders, and bottle holders, the very useful shopping bag holder with multiple hooks in the boot, a powered tailgate, parking sensors and a reversing camera, as well as a USB power outlet for devices.
One thing we do like are the hidden rocker switches on the back of the Cherokees steering wheel that control the stereo volume and radio band selection.
These switches are intuitive to use and permit Jeep to put more the important functions such as the cruise control, telephone on/off buttons and the switches that drive the dashboard gauges on the front of the steering wheel where they are most needed.
Conclusion
If the 3.6-litre V6 Grand Cherokee 75th Anniversary Edition that Trade Me Motors recently tested is too big and too expensive for your tastes, then the smaller and livelier 75th Anniversary Edition Cherokee pictured here will more than likely suffice.
It's more of a focused urban Jeep with trail capability for the odd off-road excursion to the local boat ramp or the Bruce Road at Mount Ruapehu, but more often than not as with most SUVs, it's highly likely to be found on the daily school run.
Price: $54,990
Note: this car was reviewed as a new vehicle.
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