As an about-towner the Cherokee suffered only in fuel economy – my 13.7 L/100 km was a disappointing result. I was hoping for less especially with the assistance of automatic engine stop/start technology and the aforementioned nine-speed transmission. The EPA rates the 1,822 kg Cherokee Trailhawk at 12.4/9.0/10.7 L/100 km city/highway/combined.

Here’s another feather in the cap for the Pentastar engine – despite the greatly increased capability it is rated the same city and combined rating by the EPA, and only gives up 0.4 L/100 km on the highway to the four-cylinder. For only $1,595 extra, the V6 really is a no-brainer.

This tester was fully loaded, bringing the as-tested price to $44,430 – up from the base price of $33,390 with destination and A/C tax included. The feast of options meant everything I could possibly want was found here. The rear cargo area is officially 824 L and expands to 1,555 with the seats folded. There is Jeep’s metal cargo bar – to which I’d clamped a Jeep canvas bag full of snatch straps ­– and it allows a suite of shopping holders, bags and other accessories to be added. The cargo net and tonneau cover further keep things tidy and I easily fit my large suitcase, carry-on and a large backpack in the back.

The rear seats are cramped in their forward-most position, but they slide back a few inches to open up legroom for taller passengers. I slid them back when my daughter started kicking my seat….

Headroom-wise the Cherokee was ample for my in-laws, though none of them are over 5’9″ so your results may vary.

All passengers and I were impressed not only by the comfort of the interior but its design too. The Uconnect system with its large screen in the centre stack and in the dash itself is an Autos.ca favourite – we love its rich graphics, comprehensive suite of beautifully displayed vehicle information and ease of use thanks to redundant controls and the innovative steering-wheel mounted controls.

In Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk use, the Uconnect system gets some additional Easter eggs, like an old Willys Jeep as the vehicle icon in the navigation display and another Willys Jeep silhouette hidden in the base of the windscreen. Dozens of neat design touches give the Cherokee an engaging and adorable character. The entire Fiat-Chrysler group seems to have their head around design-based value adds in a way that no other mainstream marque – with the possible exception of BMW/Mini – has.

There are well-thought-out storage bins and a 115v outlet too. In our tester we had a host of options that turned the Cherokee into a private fortress of technology and luxury.

First and most visible was the $1,595 panoramic sunroof. The $895 SafetyTec Group added blind spot detection and power folding mirrors, the Cold Weather group added heated front seats and steering wheel for $795 and for just $900 the Technology group added forward collision warning with active braking, lane departure assistance, auto high beam, adaptive cruise with stop-and-go, parallel and perpendicular parking assist and advanced braking assist as well as supplementary indicators and courtesy lights on the side mirrors.

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