KJ Cherokee

When Jeep said its new Cherokee was "all-new", it wasn’t kidding.

The company spent $1.7 billion developing it, but retained the old model’s tradition of tough, dependable off-road ability.

On-road behaviour improved, but not to the extent the newer Japanese SUVs had.

Available in Limited and Sport models, the engine range extends to a 155kW/312Nm 3.7-litre V6 petrol engine mated exclusively to a four-speed automatic transmission, a 105kW/343Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel mated exclusively to a five-speed manual transmission until October ’03, and a 2.8 version developing 110kW/360Nm.

The latter was married solely to a five-speed automatic. Several special editions have been marketed, including the June ‘03’s Red River and ‘04’s Extreme Sport models.