14 ~ Friday, July 11, 1997 ~ North Shore News

OUEODOAOADOENG UO RADE ODEs eeodenbanenee eae’

FEW vehicles can last
longer than 12 years
without major styling
updates — and
Chrysler’s Jeep Division
has two of them,

|; . Both the classic Jeep TJ,
which was updated fast year,
and the Jeep Cherokee, the
first compact, four-door
sport-utility vehicle intro-
uced in 1984, have retained
their original proportions,
despite comfort, safety and
powertrain improvements
over the years.
Though the 1997
Cherokee looks like last year’s
‘madel, it has subtle changes:
to the exterior, such as a more
aggressive grille, turn signal
lights relocated-under the
headlamps, and a sturdier
bumper design with a lip -
spoiler. At the rear, a new
hatchback/liftgate requires
less effort to lift and has a
new handle on the inside.
Most of the chasiges to the
“new Cherokee are confined to
. the intérior, An all-new
instrument panel now has
standard dual airbags and cen-
_., trally-positioned heating /ven-
dlation/radio controls for eas-
ier reach. There is also a
newly-available cassette /CD
player with premium speakers,
-, and a 20 amp. power outlet.

. Inaddition, the heating
and ventilation system is qui-
eter and more powerful, and
interior air circulaton has.
been improved. Two things
that were missed in the’.

_. tedesign include rear head
restraints and a privacy cover

“to hide the contents of the

}, CATgO area, ie
. _, The Cherokee has a fairly
~ high step-in height, particu-
“Jarly if you order the “Up
Country” package which
includes a higher tide height.
In addition, the width of the

we

THE 1997 Jeep Cherokee features a mildly restyled exterior and
“with standard dual airbags and an improved ventilation and heating system.

reat doors is fairly narrow due

~ to the intrusion of the rear

wheelwells. The carpeted .
cargo area can be doubled in

size by folding down the one-,

piece rear seatback — the rear
seat cushion pulls up and the;

seatback folds downto create: :
a flat loading floor, :

A full-size spare tire is“
located on the inside left side
of the cargo area and doesn’t
impede the driver’s visibitiry.
Ir's also less likely to be
stolen. The rear window has a

- standard intermittent wiper

and defroster, but it does not
open separately from the
hatch.

As before, Cherokees
come in two-door or four-

; cost less on

the North Shore.

a

: for 10.
3,695

; _ OE down
SPECIALTY VOLWO
1235 Marine Drive, North Vancouver
(604) 980-2464

LL selene eae eas Seen
Limited dime offer until July 31, 1997. Leases have a 19.200 knvyear allowance ($0.104m
On excess), A down payment or equivaent trade of $3,695 (where applicable} is required,
and freight and PDI, taxes, scence and insurance are extra: The leasee will bd entited to
purchase the vehicle af the end of the lease for $25,198/$28,356/831,657
- par ey

north shore news

i» AUTO

door body styles with two-,

_ wheel-drive (rear-wheel-drive}”

or four-wheel-drive.
Powertrains, which were
refined last year, remain the
same. Base SE models have a
125 horsepower 2.5-litre
OHV four-cylinder engine,

. and Sport, Country and

Classic trim levels are available
with a 190 horsepower inline
six-cylinder OHV engine.

Of the two engines, the
six-cylinder engine is superior
in terms of power, smooth-
ness, responsiveness, and relia-
bility, The four-cylinder
engine is rough, noisy, and
underpowered — the only
thing it has going for it is bet-

'S photos

ter fuel economy. But, that’s
not cnough to stop me from
recommending the six-cylin-
der engine (the. same applies

~ tothe Jeep TJ powertrain

choices.) "

Cherokees with the four-
cylinder engine are available
with a five-speed manual
transmission but not an auto-
matic transmission, Six-cylin-
der Cherokees offer both. -

| manual and four-speed auto-

matic transmissions.
Four-cylinder Cherokees

‘are offered with two-wheel-

drive (rear-whvel-drive), or
part-time four-wheel-drive

See Changes page 18

INEMIEY 13) Pemberton Ave. TALKING

YELLOW PAGES
73299-2000
ZUtigts..

a new interior

4 A n unexpected Hlness or
. accident in the U.S. can

Technical Data 1997 Jeep Cherokee
Base price: $19,310 +: ~- matic)”: a ‘
Price as tested: $27,255 = Cargo : volume:* rear. seat.
Type: four-door, five-pas- _down.— 2033 litres (71.8
senger sport utility eu RO ae
Transmission: five-speed Warranty:" three
manual (four-speed auto- 60,000 km

years/"

hve

Where we blew
‘our holiday butiget.

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