FOR most people the new Cherokee will bear little resemblance to the picture conjured up in the mind's eye when a Jeep is mentioned.

That image will undoubtedly be one of the original open-topped, floppy-windscreened Willys Jeeps first built in the forties specifically for the US Military and much-loved by directors of Second World War films.

Effectively the first ever mass-produced 4x4 this car not only inspired the creation of our very own Land Rover but heralded a long line of Jeeps that favoured function over form, including the previous incarnations of the Cherokee - which have been around in various guises since the early seventies.

The new Cherokee, though, breaks that mould. It's not bad looking at all, quite stylish in fact.

The familiar seven-slotted grille, a model trademark since the late nineties, may still be an acquired taste for some but it is undeniably distinctive.

And now it gets a softer, curved treatment beneath a gently rising bonnet. Sculpted panels along the flanks and a tapered window line all help to create a more dynamic and flowing look than we have ever seen on a Cherokee.

This is now a car that people can contemplate buying for the school run as well as a trek around the foothills of Snowdonia. Something that is further evidenced by the fact that most models can also be specified with front wheel drive rather than 4x4 if so desired.

Go for the all-wheel option, though, and you still get a taste of Jeep's legendary off road capabilities thanks to the sophisticated Active Drive system, which automatically shifts between front and four-wheel traction depending upon the prevailing conditions.

This is backed up by a Select-Terrain feature offering up to five specific settings which on my test car featured auto, snow, sport and sand/mud modes.

Undoubtedly, though, most new Cherokees will be spending the vast majority of their time on-road rather than off it and here the emphasis is on comfort.

A forgiving suspension deals impressively with pitted and potholed roads and passengers glide along in blissful ignorance.

The 2.0-litre diesel engine also has plenty versatility and despite being the lower powered of two options in my car, at 140bhp, proves an effortless cruiser.

While the engine eats up the miles with ease and in relative quietness, though, the wind does whistle around the roof rails and big, bluff wing mirrors on long motorway hauls and the tyres also rumble loudly over older, rougher road surfaces, of which there are still plenty around.

The pay-off for that comfortable ride is also a fair amount of lean in bends and the driving experience is relaxed rather than engaging, despite a snappy six-speed transmission.

At least the Cherokee is no longer a wanton gas-guzzler, as long as you avoid the off-road focused Trailblaze version and it's 2.3-litre petrol power pack.

The model I drove offers a very respectable 50 miles per gallon on average and carbon emissions of just 147g/km.

Jeep have coupled plenty of family practicality with the impressive comfort levels too, especially in this range-topping Limited trim, making the Cherokee a pleasant motor for family journeys.

There's comfortable room for five, although if you opt for the panoramic sunroof (£950) that my car head it will cut into rear headroom, and lots of personal storage space.

Leather upholstery, cruise control, a premium stereo, a wireless mobile phone charging pad, aircon, heated front seats - the driver's power-adjustable - and a powered tailgate are among the equipment highlights.

And navigating the intuitive menus on the substantial 8.4 inch touchscreen is made simple by the large and easy-to-hit icons as well as the fact that it is mounted high on the console and within easy reach.

The boot is sizeable and comes with various rail and hook attachments to secure your items while the rear seats not only split and fold but also recline and slide forwards and backwards, and the front passenger seat also folds flat.

Short of offering seven seats, which it doesn't, the new Cherokee is a versatile package which is now a serious rival to it's Japanese and Korean competitors.

The challenge it will face, though, is a price tag that pitches it into the territory of comparable Audis and BMWs - where it'll have to battle some pretty strong badge-snobbery.