Test Drive Jeep Cherokee (Liberty) 2001 - 2005 SUV

Hunting combat vehicles

There are fewer cars on the market every year, but this does not mean that you have nothing to choose from.
 
What do you liberate?
Great charm of the car in its diversity. And it does not matter what exactly the coupe, sedan, or, say, oscoretum. The choice is huge. We ride around the city, but you want to look courageously and fashionably buy a wage. You use the car on the capping, and a pickup will be suitable as a carrier of low-tonnage goods. Do not get out of the swamps and you do not go with the horses of Take the Lend Rover-Defender, do not miss.
 
What do you liberate? And the image, and tolerant behavior on the asphalt, and confidence outside the roads? There is such a letter! True, in the alphabet of the soughs, such cars will now live. Marketers are assured: all-time talents today are not enough today just seem. Almost the last of the Mogicarians are two cars that have fallen at our present test. And both Americans. Jeep Cherokee is a native resident of Prairies, from the company, which came up with the very concept of a jeep.
 
Suzuki-Grand Vitara-XL-7 American, which is called naturalized. Although the car is produced in Japan, but the main market for the same states. Both with automatic boxes, most powerful engines and in the new Russian tradition in the richest configuration. Three, two times!
  
Warrior brave and biker
In the golf class there is no car the most authoritative of this golf. So? In this case, the brand, which gave the name to the whole huge tribe of the southests, is also in some way out of competition. Jeep, no matter how cool, it sounds proudly, you can even say, pompous. To the question, they say, what kind of jeep, Toyota or Mitsubishi, the owner of the American sough can only be condescendingly and somewhere even smile. There is only he! The long-term advertising slogan of the jeep itself is the best assessment of the image. It's five!
 
But what about Suzuki? Ah, Suzuki But agree, the good half of its existence, this company was known as a manufacturer of magnificent, prestigious and non-showering motorcycles. With cars, the company contacted not so long ago, therefore the legends about four-wheeled Suzuki are not yet folded. However, the soughs with the beakov s on the facing of the radiator create a story with their own hands (wheels?). Present Japanese quality and not the dealerctic abilities of the hearing all pass in many. Then you will appreciate the dimensions and become not particularly knowledgeable people in the brands often take XL-7 for the lend cruiser. In how! Yes, and cars with 6-cylinder engines like us.

This Indian needs only one
The appearance of three years ago new Cherokee was accompanied by laminations of numerous fans. It would be more, in thirty years in the consciousness of millions, the image of the middle class jeep is firmly fixed: the square is such a chopped, rough. The new Cherokee is completely different. Round, neat, somewhere even pizhonist, and, according to many, too Japanese.
 
But after all, it was squeezed. And now the exterior of this jeep causes only positive emotions. Especially concerns the version of Renhegeid. The apostate suggests the top trunk with integrated fogs (110 W to go blind. What do you say? Handsome and charm. Real Indians would definitely come up with such a suitable nickname, at least a quick-legged deer or a powerful eagle. Well, or something in this spirit.
 
But Suzuki leaders would certainly be recorded in the pale brothers. It is quite fair in XL-7 in the appearance of much more suspended civil, rather than trust-adventure notes. However, it must be admitted, with heat from the heat restyling went sevenkin for the benefit. Designers obviously tried to distance the biggest southeth of the company from more democratic Grand Vitara. And powerful trapezoidal headlights plus a modified grille of the radiator comes.
 
It is a pity that the plated designers on the physiognomy XL-7 and has exhausted. And most importantly, on the background of the stunned feathers and smeared combat coloring silets, Big Grand Vitara looks good, let's say, as a tricky dachank, who came for a walk with a gun.
 
 
  
And he paints Wigwama!
James Fenimor Cooper's Fans of Creativity will not give to Sisching Indian National Holes, she is also not distinguished by the perfection of planning. The same is true for the Cherokee salon. Well, how, explain to me, it turned out that such solid dimensions of 4490x1820x1825 do not make it possible to be especially roasted on the sofa? The width is very good, and the knees at the front seats moved to the opposite stop. The front armchairs themselves were very comfortable long pillow, wealth adjustments, practical leather-tissue upholstery.
 
Such a striped, in the style of zebra, solutions are distinguished by the entire Cherokee salon. On the one hand, stylish deflectors and door handles, and on the other plastic Tuk-Tuk, I am your friend. The swollen fifth door, opening, as it should be, on the side of the sidewalk, is also equipped with a grain-rising glass, your squabes will throw the bags even in the supermarket. Conveniently. But at the rear passengers except the ashtray no entertainment.
 
The most offensive thing is that the dark stripes will be raised more. As the windows block in the center of the console is unnecessary, and even at an angle of 45 degrees to the driver. And in order to catch information from the board-computer, you will have to exercise the cervical vertebrae display almost above the head. Blue dashboard illumination. Very exciting, of course, but absolutely not readable. And with whom, finally, remove the scalp for such a wondrous climate control unit? Why reinvent the bike? Guys, everything is already invented before you, but okay, okay, turn to the neutral. In the end, there are those who all these focuses will call the National Indian Color.
 
This is especially noticeable against the background of Suzuki. Recently, the designers combed the Grand Vitara salon, and now it's nice here. Cute steering wheel, chrome rings on dashboard dials, even the wood finish does not spoil the overall picture. But the main thing is more convenient here more convenient. First, the 7-seater salon. Well, good is not a 7-seater, but according to formula 5 + 2, five adults, two children. You will not adhere to ergonomics. Climatics will manage without the instructions, the windows will discern and the member of the blind society, the illumination is perfect.
 
There are, of course, shortcomings, but they are chalks, the right word. Well, think, uncomfortable control of the electroral tower with two buttons. In the ventilation mode, when the hatch is slightly raised, it cannot be opened completely. You should first cover the window.
 
In any case, you choose between Wigwam and the cottage well, you understand!
 
 
Spacious, bright and well-organized interior of Suzuki (left) If there is a drawback, then only one finishing materials are not the highest quality
 
In the Salon, the Cherokeka is more complaints about sophistication and luxury, but in everyday operation, the American oscillator turns out to be less practical than Japanese
       
If the design of the Salon of the Cherokee is so I want to call a purely American, then the interior of the Grand Vitary is averaged international person
   
XL-7 devices are ideally read at any time of the day, it is difficult to disassemble that the dials of the Cherokee show, especially at night
 
Yankees dislike the traditional crushing lever, like Suzuki (photo on the left), preferring simpler buttons or levers like a jeep
 
Chu, heard guns thunder
Americans, not only indigenous, and all without exception, adore dynamic cars. Given the caustic passion of George Bush countrymen to automatic transmission and dislike for a compact car, it becomes clear why 4-cylinder motors on the other side of the Atlantic are not relevant. Unemployed, and it will certainly be ascended to the car with a V6 engine. By the way, it is according to the requirements of Americans, Suzuki engineers arranged a serious revision with a 2.7-liter V-shaped six. Added ten horses, and got it with a modern 5-speed automaton. How did it happen? In my opinion, even too cool. The response of a new duet to increase the fuel supply, is hardly like a sports machine: sharp, instant, sharp. And from the start of XL-7 takes mom, do not burn! Passport 10 s to hundreds perceived for a couple of seconds faster. Overclocking is very nice, and most importantly, as at speeds are far over 100 km / h big and long all-terrain vessel remains a shusor.
 
The most amazing thing is that the cereals are slower than seven. Not much, but slower. And this, given the extra liter of the working volume and additional 27 liters. from. Engine! But the real Indian summed up the traditions of the ancestors: the box in the Cherokee from the Stone Age. Four transmissions (from themselves add four rather stretched transmissions) in the absence of sports mode of the transmission (in XL-7, to the word, there is such any), it is assumed if it is not a phlegmatic ride all the same 200 with excess horses, then definitely not a bolko-incered. Does not add optimism and uterine, almost in a cargo sounding exhaust. While you will not turn on the music in the pogrom, does not leave the feeling that you will be in the city on a small dump truck.
 
Well, though brakes in the passenger chain, informative. This applies equally to both cars. But still, Suzuki engineers want to pursue a finger-shake on such a heavy and powerful all-terrain vehicle from behind the drums. Doubtful savings especially with full load, and at a speed of 140 km / h. And because the top five did not work.
  
Do not forget to turn on the TV
Probably there is no program similar to our road patrol. Otherwise, the Yankov Complaints River at the insufficient power of all-terrain vehicles and pickups, if not dryed at all, then at least turned into a stream. Just dangerous this is a case to thaw on off-rowers. At the jeep on the sun visor even there is a landscape, they say, you are behind the wheel of a more inactive car with a high center of gravity, there is a risk of coup.
 
Unlike the hippos-like ravenly or taho, the jeep and Suzuki on the highway behave with painka. I obedient steering, do not tend to dig, and, and, by and large, do not goat. But more from them is not worth demanding. Words from this song are well known: transverse rolls, vertical routing on the irregularities, drove, where neither take.
 
To this unexpected, but quite a logical habier can add except the next line. On the wet and even thus, the winter highway be especially careful on Suzuki. The powerful engine is once or two breaks the wheels in the beams even on dry asphalt. And if under your feet? Unfortunately, the all-wheel drive regime of the transmission, which can be used all-season, regardless of the state of the roadbed, the Grand Vitara has no. The choice for you is either constantly riding a full drive, and it began to be raped by transmission, or soberly assess the road situation.
  
Sand Careers General
Those 90 percent of soldiers soldiers who never move from a solid coating, we recommend missing this master.
 
But you, the apologists of the mud, the lords of the swamps, the generals of sandy quarries and fans of the deity named the winch, I will ask stay. There are good news. Outside the roads XL-7 and the Cherokee show their best qualities.
 
To start geometry. The only minus Grand Vitara is an elongated base: the frame can be clarified on the hilly. However, the spars of the Japanese durable and not such a joint. But the moves of the suspension are great. Suzuki does not want to raise the paw under any circumstances, and a hard drive with a downstream transmission allows a lot.
 
Much, but not all. In fact, the disadvantages of the part of the seven are two. The first rubber will be fulfilled. Bridgestone-Dewler, who has long completed all-road Suzuki, extremely does not like tortures beyond the asphalt. The protector is clogged with mud, and the sidewalls are absolutely toothless. What to cling, for what? Imagine a skateware-virtuoso on stupid skates? Something in this spirit of the top, it seems maybe, but the bottoms do not want. But even putting something brutal to your XL-7, such a super-dry, you will ever regain that the differential blocking is not provided in the rear axle. On the diagonal can be tightly sitting. We sat down. And they were chosen from the trap, like all crustaceans, reverse.
 
You can also sit on the Cherokee, you can also fool, as they say, and the tank in the puddle will drown. Especially for such a steep all-wheel drive, what the creators are presented to the cunes, the levers of its front suspension are pretty low. But this is perhaps the only barrel in the skull of the battleship. Here and the magnificent security of the aggregates under the gas tank of the steel sheet, which would come to the armored vehicle, and even the Pontoian steps are suspended quite high. And if it is very fond of, unscrew the two nuts, weaken two more, and you can throw the footboard into the trunk.
 
Yes, and the tires at the jeep are more serious Chudgier-Rangler, and the angle of entry should cause a trembling shiver at the real jejer 36 degrees (steeper only in Pajero and Hammer-H2), and the moves of the suspension are truly immense. Although they still sat on the diagonal. True, not long. Fortunately, all the cunes are supplied to Russia (except for sports) with a self-locking reverse bridge differential. And a little bit of self-filling with a handbrake, a jeep actually coped with a diagonal hanging.
 
 
Long base is not the best assistant jeeper. Rama XL-7 hurts the Earth already on a modest holmik
 
Werethod with a capital letter Rate the course of rear suspension and stock of space under the front bumper
   

Vibromassagers are not supplied
On the site of comfort, everything is extremely simple. Cherokee conquers almost complete absence of any vibrations and a completely soft suspension. The trouble is only that the noise of the motor together with the transmission, even the aerodynamic noise at high speeds. Grand Vitara is much quieter: muffled motor whispers, barely noticeable winds in racks per hundred and twenty. And by the way, exactly the same lack of vibrations. As before smoothness, it is no worse than the jeep.
 
Although, of course, the presence of continuous beams of the rear axle in any car has no secret left. Trucks loaf, knocks and stumps accompany you as annoying flies.
 
    
 
The luggage compartment of the jeep is one of the most spacious in class, at least 820 liters

On the side of the on-board computer, he is part-time compass and the temperature sensor overboard, is located right above the head is not too convenient
 
  
Access to the trunk with the open glass makes it difficult to peel
 
To such a climate control unit and the location of the windows buttons to get used to
    
 

The organization of the microclimate for the rear seats can be engaged both at the location of the dislocation and remotely

The spoiler is included in the Top-complete set of Ltd, but for some reason there are no fog
 
   
The driver's seat is adjusted the angle of inclination of the pillow, and not its height is not the best option.
 
   
Driver armrest is regulated in the longitudinal plane

Kuvarka
The same case when you do not know who to believe. The American Institute of Insurance Safety (IIHS) carried XL-7 to the safest all-terrain vehicles on the market, the overall rating is good, and above the Americans and not. Especially praised the structural integrity of the body at frontal impact. But the EuroNcap, the Suzuki shrewd only three stars, especially criticized the results of the frontal collision. We will not give preferences to either American nor European specialists. Guided by the Leninist principle to take and divide, we get for the XL-7 firm four.
 
With a loft jeep less. Both Europe, and America smoothly foams the cherokeys for the poor protect the driver's knees and high loads on the chest sitting in front.
  
Behind the sea Tulka half?
Given the continuing onset of the euro, any Suzuki in Russia seems to be a very attractive offer. Because it is sold in dollars. The biggest Grand Vitara is no exception. The prices of 2.7-liter seven begin with a mark of $ 31,890, and the equipment includes climate control, and alloy wheels, and an electric car, and heated seats. Equipment Ltd, which is more expensive by $ 2,200, adds a leather interior to the list, insertion under the tree, cruise control and electrical. The five-speed automatic will additionally request another $ 1410. The maximum is $ 35,500. Plus Standard Japanese three years or 100,000 km warranty. Cheaper middle-class horticulture with a V-shaped six in Russia is not found.
 
Jeep is more expensive. Even if you take a stylish-cool renegeide for the starting point (41,850 euros), but a 3.7-liter limited, anyway will start with 40 thousand. Yes, the package will be not bad. And the difference of five thousand for a more fashionable and pizhonist all-terrain vessels could seem justified. But if we translate the euro into dollars, the overpayment increases to almost ten thousand. In addition, the more modest 2 years or 40,000 km of the warranty conditions does not save even the proposal service for Russian standards. The essence of the service is that if during your trip you have ended gasoline, Jeep's servicemen will bring it directly to your car. Absolutely free. Well, if the problem found you on the road, the jeep will pay you accommodation and meals. The main thing to keep checks!
    
We decided:
The main name of the jeep Average rating is 3.9 of its pejonide appearance, plus the legendary glory of the excellent passing, which the most modern creek with glitter confirms in practice. Another thing is that against the background of a very high price becomes incomprehensible blunders in terms of ergonomics in the cabin, an outdated gearbox and, straight, not Japanese build quality. Fashionable toy for 40,000 euros? At breakfasts, you can't save.
 
Suzuki, of course, does not attract so much attention to his own person as a real Indian. And on the off-road, the seven due to the elongated base is also inferior to Grand Vitar. But guided by practical considerations of XL-7 Average estimate of 4.2 is a very profitable acquisition.
 
And not only because of the best price class. It is quite prestigious, thanks to the dimensions and the nameplate V6, roomy, as minivan, and reliable, like a Kalashnikov machine, Suzuki to the whole other is still quite fast and talented on the road car. And everything I have to regret, this is about the absence of a self-locking differential of the rear axle and 4WD Full Time mode. Then this Suzuki would really be called a dirim-car category of the most rational purchase.
 
Mikhail Medvedev, Maxim Potcharov
 
  

A source: Limousine magazine [11/03]