BIG RUGGED – 2008 JEEP Cherokee
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When you think of Jeep, you can’t help but picture a large, rugged 4X4 covered in dirt or mud. They are also often featured in action-packed movies either with the lead actor fleeing the baddies in rough terrain, slamming up and down ravines or with the villains pursuing the hero and crashing into other innocent traffic causing mayhem in the streets. Whether you like the stereotyping or not, it’s sort of inevitable as the designers of Jeep vehicles themselves have stuck very close to the original style.
The 2008 Jeep Cherokee is supposedly completely redesigned but one glance at it and you will know it is distinctively Jeep. In some angles, it even looks like the Dodge Nitro probably because they share the same platform. The Jeep Cherokee, or the Jeep Liberty as it’s known in some markets, is very tough and not many other 4WDs can compare in this aspect. The good thing is the 2008 model is even sturdier than its predecessors with its 3.7L 210 hp V6 engine. Although tougher than its Japanese competitors, its fuel consumption is far less economical than the Nissan Xterra and the Mitsubishi Pajero for example.
The test vehicle was the Cherokee Sport with the traditional square-jawed look and had a body-coloured grille which, in my opinion, made the entire appearance very handsome yet hardy. You will find a chrome grille on the higher- scale Limited instead.
Its interior is spacious enough to seat 5 large adults comfortably and carry all their outdoor equipment. There’s also more room for backseat passengers, thanks to a 2-inch wheelbase stretch. The center console and instrument panel were very basic probably due to the “plastic” look but uncomplicated which made it very easy to interpret. Sometimes I wish all vehicles were like that because nothing can be more annoying than having to look at the manual each time you want to do a simple task like searching for a radio station even.
On road the Jeep Cherokee is now smoother, thanks to its new suspension (independent front and multilink rear) and steering systems. Standard on all models is a full-time four-wheel-drive system with low-range gearing. Off-road its strong points are generous ground clearance, departure angles and plenty of suspension travel which helps it tackle most trails and dunes with conviction and absolute ease.
There was a point when I was concerned about attempting a 45-degree slope of fine sand but the worry was certainly unwarranted when the vehicle went through it in the blink of an eye. Although my off-road driving skills aren’t ranked high up in the professional level, the Jeep Cherokee gave me a real confidence booster.
The plus point for the Jeep Cherokee and also a very important point in many consumers’ deciding factor is its affordability. The Basic model’s pricing start at a mere AED 94,500 while you pay about AED 109,800 for the Limited. Available features are standard as with all the new vehicles these days but options include a trick roof that can open the full length of the ceiling enabling a panoramic view. Nice!
courtesy : Auto Trader Online
August 4, 2008 at 9:06 am #6760Yamout Review:
Drove it in Faya. tooo smoooooothh, luxurious interior, not bad power but not a Wow.
bad in straight line climbing, u can do some nice sloping. BIG issue with traction control, u can still hear it moaning even after switching it off.
Offroad rating: naaaaaaa.. id buy me a prado instead
Onroad Rating: naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.. id buy me a charger instead!Thank You
i is nice.
August 5, 2008 at 3:54 am #6801junaid, im dying to get me a rub3 or a capsula for a good price, can u help me out in that?
quote desertdude:Just when u though the jeep brand cudnt get any gayer after introducing the compass and patriot they bring out this heap of crap .A Nitto ,wrangler and liberty all put into a blender and viola what u have is a serious contender for gayest SUV of the year .For that money I get me a late 90’s or early 2000 rub3 and still have a lot of money left over for mods
I’d go for the Rub but then my back is killing me today…
August 5, 2008 at 5:43 am #6808quote josephleebrown:ur giving away the liberty ?no keeping it for the drives with u. Capsula dashboard too smallest, feet wont fit :laugh:
August 5, 2008 at 8:52 am #6817quote blackrose101:never been offroad:rofl:
ali dude its like saying the car has not been modded as well.
August 7, 2008 at 5:40 pm #6919Jeep Cherokee
Fraser Martin
05 January 2008A good bit chunkier than THAN the outgoing model, the new Jeep Cherokee restores some of the ruggedness that was missing, at least in appearance, from the last round-headlamp model. Whilst the older car was up to the usual Jeep standards in terms of off-road ability (I owned one for two years) there was some resistance to the slightly softer look and it would be fair to say that trying to blend the Wrangler front with the two-box body didn’t quite work.
Those criticisms have been addressed in this new Cherokee, with its Tonka-like front end taking on the family appearance of the current top-of-the-Jeep-range Commander. The big bluff front with huge headlamps, and increased ground clearance, give the new Cherokee lots of street cred.
But a Jeep is a Jeep so there’s no compromise on the off-street credibility. The 3.7-litre V6 engine punches out 210bhp and a stout helping of torque to propel this new Cherokee, and mated to a new five-speed autobox and the
Selec-Trac II transfer case, the car is suitably quick for a four-door sport utility vehicle as well as having the grunt needed for slogging through the sand. Hill Descent Control is an added feature – for the first time on a Jeep – and works in both forward and reverse gears. Traction control is standard and the ABS has ‘rough road’ detection.On road, the car feels firm with little body roll when pushed, but not so stiff that the flexibility needed for off-road excursions is compromised. Steering is sharp and communication through the wheel clear enough.
The tyres themselves – mounted on 16-inch or 17-inch wheels, depending on specification ordered – are nevertheless compromised: good sound deadening on road comes at the cost of off-road grip, so buyers may need to look at a tyre change depending on the car’s principal use. For day-to-day use, the standard mixed use pattern Goodyears will be fine, but if your main use for such a capable vehicle is weekend outing and abouting, something with more teeth will be needed.
The interior of this latest Cherokee is a step up in quality and finish. There have been grumbles about plastics in Jeeps for a while now, and whilst there is still some way to go, the new Cherokee is a move forward. Fully trimmed in two-tone leather with matching carpets, better finishes, and plenty of toys, the car provides a comfortable place to spend the day. There have been forward steps in space too and rear seat legroom is much improved.
With a commanding driving position, good sightlines and short overhangs, this new Jeep is an easy car to position. It’s a much more suitable stepping stone between the Wrangler’s roughty-toughty practicality and the Grand Cherokee’s svelte good looks than the previous model, making it a welcome addition to the range.
Published in Car Middle East.
http://www.carmiddleeast.com/index.php/main/getDetails/5/15/1/Search/quote blackrose101:quote mhmdyamout:junaid, im dying to get me a rub3 or a capsula for a good price, can u help me out in that?2004 JEEP Rubicon Raider for SALE …. 58,000 kms Lady driven, never been offroad, Manual ….. Yellow color … softop. 050-4403098. Asking price 48K.
would she swap with some cash for customised one ;P ie mine?
quote KAT:quote blackrose101:quote mhmdyamout:junaid, im dying to get me a rub3 or a capsula for a good price, can u help me out in that?2004 JEEP Rubicon Raider for SALE …. 58,000 kms Lady driven, never been offroad, Manual ….. Yellow color … softop. 050-4403098. Asking price 48K.
would she swap with some cash for customised one ;P ie mine?
bad luck kat…
i think its sold already..
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