Test drive Jeep Cherokee (Liberty) 2001 - 2005 SUV

We will drive the Yankees for praying!

The comparative races of cars that became familiar to us this time passed almost in extreme conditions: either rain, then sharp frosts, then dense snowfall, then thaw. The ideal time to drive a couple of crooks into the street and compare their attitude to our bad weather and SUV.
More recently, the most famous, the most jeep brand Jeep has given a surprise: the old Cherokee, who survived on the conveyor of good two decades, gave way to a completely new model, bearing the same name. This happened after the company entered the Daimlerchrysler Corporation, which only added to us a healthy research interest how German influence was reflected in the appearance of a machine that had previously been a model for Off-Road manufacturers. Although, at first glance, Jeep Cherokee New (also known as Liberty) is the most typical Yankee. This has become a reference point for us. The hand did not rise to choose a couple of foreigners, and therefore the choice narrowed significantly. What does the two remaining overseas whales have a fresh similar caliber? Well, of course the last Ford Maverick! The past was Polofordovsky, Polonissanovsky. And the one that you see in the photo is an original American product.
It is pleasant that with overseas origin and almost the perfect class comparability of the car, it is surprisingly unlike each other, but, at the same time, amazingly recognizable, like brands. And if Maverick in architecture largely repeats the contours and features of the body and interior decoration of senior models Explorer and Expections, then Cherokee is completely new. Like much well -forgotten old. The appearance of the newcomer has nothing to do with the shape of the predecessor characteristic of the brick, although every detail speaks of kinship with the Jeep brand. But these are the genes of the legendary, passing through the entire second half of the last century of the classic Wrangler: a high body with short overhangs, the eye hood tapping in front, steep windshield and an unchanged grille of seven cracks. If we take Americans, then preferably more powerful and with machine guns. So did: Ford 3 L, 203 hp, 272 Nm; Jeep 3.7 L, 214 hp, 305 Nm. With close weight, according to specific power, it seems to be ahead of Cherokee. But we will draw conclusions when we look at the Indian on the path of the war.
Jeep has a very unusual salon very high (you can stretch your hand to the ceiling), with a flat instrument panel and almost without a familiar volumetric torpedo. A clear hint of retro-style. Large white dash circles are made under the classics, and a little strange steering wheel with four flat and wide knitting needles a little strange at first glance. By the way, she should give praise for the convenience of the grip and the angle of inclination, much more steep (almost vertical) than is customary on SUVs. It is also convenient that the airbag, sewn in the steering wheel, is quite compact, and the viewing area between the rim and the hub is noticeably larger than the instrument shield itself. So all the scales are clearly visible, especially since their digitization is extremely clear, easily readable. Cherokee saddles, at first glance relatively modest in size, turn out to be very ergonomic, regardless of the driver’s complexion. Everyone who tried to accommodate was noted that it was as if it was hidden. And only the longest of us complained of the insufficient length of the pillow. But due to the fact that the chairs do not eat excess volume, in the cabin it is not at all crowded, and in the back, by the way, too. However, you understand this when you are already sitting there. But in order to get into the second row of seats, you will have to, having hit the door on the door, will certainly wipe a strong convex wide wheel arch with pants. It’s more interesting to get out of the soul and the funny semicircular pens delight the hand.
AKP control for Jeep is floor and convenient. And nearby a very non -trivial translation lever in 4x4 and further to increase the gear ratio. It looks like a hand brake handle, but it is impossible to confuse them. A couple of comments on the interior still ran. Firstly, the windows control is located not on the door, but near the armrest, and is not groped out immediately. And the second inconvenience is the inclusion of the wiper by turning the steering wheel lever. Although this type of control is widespread behind the ocean, it would still be faster to hit the lever up or down, especially in the case of emergency spraying of the windshield. A little unusual for us is the trunk opening algorithm: pull the glass by the handle goes up on the hinges, and the lower wide door opens to the side. The volume of the luggage is supposed to be clearly small, but if desired and necessary, you can also back the seat, having received a considerable (including because of the height) space of 2 m3.
With Ford, a completely different song. Maverick, although a new model, is equipped in an extremely corporate style. And there is a lot of common not only with large SUVs, but also, for example, with Taurus. At the wheel of Maverika, I continually caught myself thinking that I was twisting the steering wheel on the SHO of the 93rd year of release, which I had no time to rule a couple of months. The same spacious, comfortable seats, a booming gray plastic instrument panel and even boxing between seats with a weak dent from the elbow on the lid. A constant black block with music and ventilation, cut into the center of the panel, and family buttons of glasses and doors handles are similar to explorer-expedishensky. One of the central elements in the design of the Maverick interior can be recognized as a gearbox lever. To call an elegant poker that is more suitable for controlling mechanics than to cross the positions of the automatic transmission, the language will not turn. But it is impossible to refuse to refuse the verification of the shape and a certain technical aesthetics, prudently curved in two planes for a convenient grip. Moreover, she tempts to steer with one hand. The second one simply does not want to tear off from the rubber handle, as if it were not a poker at all, but a pleasantly heavy hand of a police club-democratizer.
There is no almost even flat floor of the tunnel in the middle, which means that they managed to place a cardan gear rather compactly under the bottom of the carrier body. It is amazing that the execution of our Maverick for Europe, and there are no ashtrays, as is customary only behind the ocean. Instead of it, a portable plastic cup with a lid in one of the nests for cans with drinks. And the traditional environment of the Ford salon is emphasized by clear white devices scales that are again in fashion. Both cars were already represented in previous cars, but for the first time we have on a comparative test. Therefore, on the road. We go to the free suburban highway, we become nearby and at the same time start from the place. Little depends on the automatics of the driver, which means that untimely switching is not taken into account. As well as the direction of the wind, we start with a parallel course, and the acceleration time to 60 or 100 km/h does not plan to fix. And surprises are not expected here: jeep is more powerful, and the manufacturer’s data indicates its best dynamics. But in this case, practice interests us much more theory. I am mentally preparing to see the removing unusual lanterns of Jeep with double round circle of the plafones and the stock in the middle. But what is it? My Maverick confidently and inevitably breaks away from the opponent! 120 km/h, having left Cherokee to 3-4 cases, I throw the accelerator pedal. This is one of the visual examples that it is not always worth trusting only numbers.
What else excites the driver? Manageability and smoothness. On the asphalt, Jeep behaves more correctly and more precisely. Although there are a number of claims to him. So, with American informative steering wheel, small angles of the direction of direction are monitored quite well. But if it is required to change the trajectory more sharply, as in a known moose test, a narrow, tall Cherokee is noticeably fucked and withstands the direction quite approximately. But we will not be particularly critical of the SUV, although Ford from the point of view of the steering is much more pleasant to lie in the hands. But here Maverick, despite the rather soft suspension, passes noticeably shaking with all its softened body. Liberty (even if they forgive me, but the name for the US market is much more suitable for a beginner, because Cherokee is associated with completely different forms) Holds a blow to the bottom much better, although it noticeably Kozlit, but does not lose its position and trajectory.
The next task is to go to the territory of Off-Road, and the worse the better! Despite the grunt of the photographer about the non-formed weather, we boldly tear the claws in the clay-sand-snow-white pampas near Moscow. Classing in the slope of the slurry what the doctor prescribed to the SUV. Why start to start? After all, the shovel and the cable are already brought into the working position. Climbing that three -meter clay pile? Not? Move her? Ford skims, even when the handle is on 4WD. The sticky dirt, which has reached the thresholds, sucks, not even allowing to swing. Our valiant forces and our valiant forces were also used. Some half an hour of free aerobic and linen load, and Maverick in the wild. To drive, or something, there and jeep? .. Eh, it was not! After all, you can find out the limit limit only by exceeding it. I pull the locking lever to the stop and with the middle gas I throw Cherokee in a mess, where Ford just sunbathed with our recklessness. Another second, and it seems that the poor fellow will also bury and get into. But no! Here, apparently, a torque of 305 Nm, a high position of the body and expensive winter tires were useful. Jeep rushes, albeit with difficulty, and we can’t rescue it manually. Everything, hit. But, for the purity of the experiment, I decide to get out of the starting point not in the same way, but in a circle. Okay, the eyes are afraid, and the arms (and legs) are done. And here is a run, a push, more gas, only clods fly around in the district. I attack the last dubious turn and Yesss! I, as they say at the jeep in my homeland, did it! Poty, dirty, we clap it on soared, steaming sides, we promise to wash your mind later.
Already calming down and catching his breath, we analyze: what is the reason for the success of the new Cherokee on real off -road? Slowly, we crawl into the slides, hanging the diagonal-polling wheels as much as possible. And in a position when his substitute Ford begins to helplessly rotate with the wheels, hovering in the air, Jeep seems to stretch his hind legs and takes it to saving soil. It is the huge passages of the suspension along with a significant clearance (not minimal under the beam, but a more relevant height of the threshold above the road) give an unconditional, at least geometric, advantage between the hills and ditches.
On the way back, having already been on the sink, we move along the road full of puddles, with dirty sidelines. We try not to smear. And interestingly, for a 30-kilometer path to Moscow Ford almost did not get dirty, and Jeep was like a flash. The fault of this is noticeably protruding for the sidewalls of the wheels. When you cross the puddle on Cherokee, a stormy stream collapses on the hood and frontal. It seems that I drove along the roof to the lake. In my opinion, it is worthwhile to set up a couple of mudguards to the front bumper of Cherokee ... Do you want conclusions? Make them yourself. Would you like a civil and fast Maverick SUV is already waiting for its owner, looking for a powerful V6 and twitching with impatience a poker-redeemer of a magnificent automatic gearbox. Cowboys and exotic lovers are on a completely different door. In the hat and boots, you will look good in the new Cherokee, which storms obstacles. Yes, and this unusual jeep will personally give you a lot of pleasure. But some principles will have to be applied. Including the principles of savings.
 
Text Vladimir Smirnov
Photo Alexander Nozdrin
 
How do they look:
Nikita Rozanov
 
     
Outside:
When cars of the same color fall on the test, objectively comparing their design and style is somewhat easier. Especially when the color is silver metallic. Reflecting, he paints the shape more obvious than others, emphasizing its character and nuances. It was thanks to the color that the difference in relation to the historical heritage among two automakers became more noticeable. So, for example, on the light face of Cherokee, the eyes and seven vertical slots of the radiator cladding appeared more clearly. And it immediately became clear that the creators of the new jeep sang a plastic key to the appearance of the new SUV with the legendary CJ and Wrangler models. And this is noticeable not only in front. Even on the side, the car resembles a long -bial concept of 1997. Wrangler Dakar, and behind the rock is also given out and a brazen -located door, as well as a strongly protruding relief of lighting equipment. Everything seems to be great, but having looked at the car again (especially in front), it is difficult to get rid of the thought that the new Jeep is great like a toy or character from Disney cartoon. But these associations last a moment, and in general everything is pretty, and the style of the car, as it should be, raises the mood. The appearance of the Ford Model is less bright, and if it weren’t for the oval of the corporate logo, it would be very difficult to identify Maverick, although if you look more closely, then in its appearance you can see some features of the older brother of the new Explorer: the same cladding and curvature of the sidewall, the same Plastic protection of the bottom and wheel arches. For an SUV, this is not a trifle, especially since there is undoubtedly finding his buyer in the reasonably functional style.
Results:
Jeep Cherokee is a bright and typical American styling qualitatively and soundly executed, but on the verge of a certain game foul, and therefore it is clearly not for everyone.
Ford Maverick is a solid, but somewhat unemotional design at first glance can even be bored, but everything is functional, utilitarian and reliable that for most of this kind of cars the norm.
Inside:
The design of the inhabited space of two cars varies as much as their appearance. The new Cherokee inside is more exalted, and although there are no continuity with previous models, it starts the driver with the original shape of the instrument panel and the freshness of the style of parts. The design of Maverick is more restrained and, again, with a closer acquaintance, resembles Explorer's older brother, who traditionally dominates the widely and convenient central console for American design. Thanks to the silver overlays on the console, floor tunnel, steering wheel knitting needles and doors (we will not forget the white scales of the devices) Jeep's interior looks a little colorful. Ford is more modest, and even light upholstery and dark plastic panels do not violate the integrity of perception. CHEROKEE door upholstery continues the topic of the game: their surface is unusually apart vertically, and this should be added to the original shape of the door handles. Maverick is a conservative here. Both the steering wheel and door upholstery make the impression of a long time and well -known things.
Results:
Jeep Cherokee is an original and fresh approach to the design of the instrument panel may seem too annoying, but it is worth remembering how the car looks outside and everything falls into place.
Ford Maverick Classic American design with an average car size and today's fashion. At the first glance, it may not cause any emotions, but everything is soundly and convincing.

 

Source: Cars