worst of class SUV?

Given that Jeep has a reputation for being one of the pioneers of SUVs, long before they were such a hugely popular market segment, I first drove this vehicle assuming that Jeep would have made a product that dominated the market. I was wrong. Overall, I found the Cherokee to be a 5/10 sort of SUV, which is to say an average SUV, except the handling of this vehicle was so astonishingly poor that I'd now give it a 2/10 overall. I reserve 1/10 for the sort of third-world vehicles that never make it to the US market.

Driving experience: Other reviews have said they feel safe in this vehicle, and I will grant you that from a gross tonnage perspective, you have an advantage in a wreck in this vehicle, and it has some safety systems airbags and impact beams, but those are pretty much standard on anything these days. Frankly, while I felt like I could plow through any animals or small cars that might spring into my path with safety, I felt the handling of this SUV was almost crippling. I've driven sporty SUVs like the Murano, the CRV, and the RAV4. I've driven comparable large SUV like Chevy Blazers new and old, and Ford Explorers that had been relegated to off-road use for years, and many pick-up trucks. Nothing had such a wildly imprecise feel to the steering and handling of the vehicle. If you crank up the stereo loud enough, switch open that cell phone, and such down a Frappucino while you drive, you might not notice that you've plowed off the roadway, through a cornfield, and across a ravine (it will go anywhere), but if you're interested in manuvering on tight back roads or around city traffic, forget it.

The engine is OK. As a V6, it pushes this SUV around well enough for normal driving, but there is nothing sporty about it, nor is there any exceptional mileage to be had, even considering the massive size of this vehicle. Interior is somewhat spacious, but it has a clunky, inexpensive feel typical of domestic vehicles, and sad to say, not out of character with the driving experience.