Jeep Cherokee wins US Auto Writers 'SUV of The Year' award

The NWAPA's two-day competition, popularly known as 'Mudfest', featured nearly 20 automotive journalists who put 26 competitors through rigorous real-life performance tests at a speedway and an off-road vehicle park.

The Cherokee beat the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Nissan Xterra and Subaru Outback Sport at the eighth annual NWAPA competition to be named the 'Economy SUV of the Year'.

Competition judges particularly liked the Jeep Cherokee's outstanding design, acceleration off the line, off-road assurance and innovative rear swing gate system.

"Journalists thoroughly tested and judged the vehicles, scoring them in categories for overall design, comfort and convenience, production quality, cornering ability, ride and handling, braking, on and off-road performance, value for money and personal appeal, said David Glorius, Vice President, Sales and Marketing Director, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge, Middle East.

The new, 210 horsepower 3.7-litre V-6 SOHC 12-valve engine was developed for power, refinement, efficiency and durability making the Cherokee the most powerful SUV in its class. A 2.4 litre version with manual transmission with will be available in the Middle East in January 2002.

For on-road comfort and off-road grip, a coil spring independent front suspension combines with a link-coil rear suspension to provide exceptional on-road refinement and legendary off-road capability and durability.

And, the judges also liked the unique, patented single-action swing gate/flipper glass system that offers quick and easy access to the cargo area.

"The new Cherokee is the result of a US$ 1.7 billion development programme and has been truly designed with the Middle East in mind with features such as its innovative hybrid cooling system and special ABS braking sensors and calibration for off-road driving," said Glorius.

The hybrid cooling system combines engine-driven and electric fans to produce best-in-class engine cooling and passenger compartment comfort while operating more quietly than an engine-driven fan alone when cooling demand is low, as in slow desert driving.

The enhanced three-channel ABS system is similar to the one used on the Grand Cherokee and includes subtle refinements that provide for quieter operation and less pedal pulsing.

For off-road use, when the vehicle is operated off-road in four-wheel-drive Low, the system improves stopping power with some wheel lock-up during hard braking on slippery surfaces.

New active electrically powered wheel speed sensors also minimise brake lock-up at low speeds. This is particularly important when descending steep desert dunes.

This real-life performance award follows in the footsteps of the Cherokee "Middle East Medium SUV of the Year' award presented at last month's Dubai Motor Show by Wheels & Gears, the Middle East's leading English language motoring magazine.

"As the Middle East's newest addition to the award-winning Jeep brand's 'do anything, go anywhere' line-up, the new Cherokee's combination of on-road refinement and legendary off-road capability is unmatched by any SUV on the region's roads today," added Glorius.

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