Jeep’s heritage in building 4x4s stretches back over 60 years, and it shows if you ever get the chance to try the Cherokee off-road. Driven on Tarmac, though, it’s far from perfect. The engine groans and clatters and the ride feels unsettled.

Hitch up a van and the ride improves a bit, but the engine struggles to haul close to four tonnes of car and caravan with any urgency, moaning its way from 30-60mph in 18 seconds.

The Cherokee was one of the worst cars in any class in the emergency lane-change test, lurching from side to side and struggling to keep control of the van. Even when driving in a straight line, frequent steering corrections were necessary. The brake pedal felt wooden, and the Jeep took 2.2 metres longer than the Audi Allroad to stop from 30mph.

To be fair, the Jeep took the hill start in its stride. The handbrake needed a firm pull, but it tackled the slope easily in two- and four-wheel drive.

The Cherokee comes with a long list of standard equipment, and 31.4mpg isn’t too bad for a big, automatic 4×4. But don’t expect to get back over 36% of the original price after three years.

2019
Category Winners
2019 Up to 1400kg

Škoda Octavia

Hatch 1.5 TSI 150PS SE L DSG

2019 1400-1549kg

Seat Ateca

2.0 TSI 190PS FR DSG

2019 1550-1699kg

Volkswagen Arteon

2.0 TDI 150PS Elegance DSG

2019 1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2019 1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 SDV6 HSE

2019 Best Budget 4x4

Dacia Duster

1.5 dCi Ambiance 4x4

2019 Best Plug-In Hybrid

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

P400e HSE Dynamic

2019 Best Ultralight Tow Car

Seat Arona

1.0 TSI 115 FR

2019 Fuel Economy Award

Ford Focus Estate

1.5 EcoBlue 120PS Titanium X

Previous Winners
2018
1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2017
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 Td6 HSE*

2016
1400-1549kg

Skoda Superb Hatch

2.0 TDI 150PS SE Business

2015
1400-1549kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI BMT 150PS SE Business DSG

2014
1400-1549kg

Nissan Qashqai

1.6 dCi (130PS) Stop/Start System Acenta Premium

2013
Up to 1424kg

Skoda Octavia

2.0 TDI CR 150PS Elegance

2012
1725–1899kg

Jaguar XF

2.2D Premium Luxury

2011
1425-1574kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI 170 Bluemotion Sport

2010
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery 4

3.0 TDV6 XS

2009
1900kg+

Volvo XC60

D5 SE Geartronic

2008
1575-1724kg

Ford Mondeo Estate

2.0 TDCi Titanium auto

2007
1575-1724kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI Sport 4Motion

ContinueWe use cookies to give you the best browsing experience and to provide you with relevant content and advertising.
By continuing to use our website you are accepting our use of cookies as described in our Cookie Policy.