THE latest Jeep Cherokee puts on a bold front with its traditional seven slot grille, but that's just about where its establishment nature begins and ends.

With the woes of Chrysler hopefully behind it, Jeep is moving forward under the watchful eye of Fiat and the Cherokee is out to do battle with the surging band of SUVs that include Mazda CX-5, Audi Q3, Honda CR-V and Ford Kuga.

Not everyone will fall for the Jeep's radical styling but its individuality can't be doubted...and in this sector character and originality count.

The range kicks off around the £25,000 mark but I drove the Limited 4x4 which comes with a 138bhp, 1,956cc four cylinder diesel engine that provides enough low down grunt for hauling a small caravan or boat yet won't empty your wallet on fuel charges.

Matched to a pleasant six-speed manual gearbox, the diesel engine copes well with the Cherokee's substantial 1,900kg weight even if it is somewhat vocal at start-up.

Noise levels soon subside as revs mount and it is acceptably refined at cruising speeds. Sixty-two comes up in 12 seconds, slightly more tardy than the class average. A nine-speed automatic gearbox is an optional extra.

It rides well over poor surfaces, smoothing out road imperfections and insulating the occupants nicely, but corner quickly and your enthusiasm is soon reined in by body roll.

For most owners, the balance between comfort and handling is about right.

The Cherokee gets top marks for practicality. The boot, though quite high, absorbs 591 litres of luggage and this can increase to 714 litres if the rear seats are slid slightly forward. When the back seats are folded flat there's 1267 litres of space.

Additional, an under-floor area provides 77 litres of room for out-of-sight valuables. The rear tailgate opens and shuts electronically but this can be over-ridden - a big plus in the wet, when you are in a hurry.

Passenger space in the front is ample with generous head and shoulder-room. Legroom in the rear is a bit tight but there's no shortage of headroom.

The cabin is distinctly upmarket in the Limited - price £33,195 - with comfy leather seating, an 8.4 inch touchscreen display that includes sat nav, reversing camera and media centre, and ambient lighting. Smart and durable-looking, it is also a shade more luxurious than some rivals. A bigger glovebox would be appreciated though, as would wider and roomier door pockets.

Among the standard features are rain-sensitive wipers, keyless entry, brake stability control, cruise control, heated front seats and tyre pressure monitoring display.

The car was also fitted with an opening panoramic glass sunroof - well worth the extra £950 if you like open-air motoring.

Obviously, permanent four wheel drive takes its toll on economy, but the Cherokee's official average of 50.4mpg which corresponds to my own figure of 44mpg is frugal enough for a hefty four-seater SUV.

An engine stop-start system is a standard feature and CO2 emissions are 147g/km.