NOT so long ago a Jeep Cherokee looked as though it was built from plates of steel bent into a car shape like metallic origami, and as tough as a tank too.

But no more; for here is a mid-size Jeep for the metropolitan buyer, where form fights function, and wins. This is a car meant to look at least as fast as it is tough underneath.

Faster, actually. Built in the United States it may be, but this latest Cherokee shares important underpinnings with Alfa Romeos and plucks engines (gently modified) from current Fiats - thanks to Jeep's place in the worldwide Fiat Chrysler Automobiles stable.

Why, you can even buy a version without the four-wheel drive function that's been so much a part of the Jeep go-anywhere heritage. That model will save you £2,000 in the showroom and a bit of diesel every time you fill up, but it won't really feel like a Jeep when the going gets tough.

For that you'll need something like the Limited model tested here. It's actually in two-wheel drive mode most of the time, saving fuel when you don't need power to the rear wheels, but switching instantly and automatically when you do.

Even then, you'll be in a car that favours a gentler, more urban life than earlier Cherokees. Today's car has to take on the likes of a Land Rover Freelander or Nissan Qashqai and not yearn to climb the nearest mountain (via a convenient river bed).

The result is a car that's undeniably handsome outside, with a boldly elegant take on the traditional Jeep radiator grille, and smart and modern inside to a degree that might startle the owner of one of the old slab-sided Cherokees.

Prices start at £24,495 for a front-wheel drive Cherokee in Longitude trim, with standard kit taking in alloy wheels, climate control, electric front windows and the same diesel engine found in the dearer Limited grade car on test.

That one ups the goodies count to include bigger alloys, cruise control, keyless entry, satellite navigation on a big central colour screen, bright high intensity headlights, wireless charging pad for (the right) mobile phones, electric adjustment for the driver's seat and a powered (up and down) tailgate.

You can also specify a more powerful, 168bhp version of the diesel engine and a nine-speed (yes) automatic gearbox, with the poshest model topping out at £35,695.

A modest set of options on the test car ran to a full size spare wheel for £225 (essential, I'd say on a car that might venture on to rocky tracks), special paint (grey, £625 and easy to live without) and a vast sunroof (£950) that made dull days feel almost spring-like.

And so to the driving experience. Well, the new Cherokee is no sports car. It does the job when asked but without much enthusiasm. The diesel engine hauls the car along with a gruff rumble from up ahead and the firm gearchange doesn't want to be hurried - much like the car itself.

The pay off for relaxing a bit on the throttle is a ride the right side of firm and more time to admire a cockpit that tries hard to be user friendly and mostly succeeds.

That means clear instruments (drivers who travel to mainland Europe will love the one-button push from mph to kph) that told me of a 43mpg average after some testing drives and a sat nav readout repeated in the instrument panel.

A good sound system (DAB included) and proper graspable controls for heating (no fiddling with a touchscreen) reinforced the Cherokee's easy living take on modern motoring.