JEEP has been very much in the spotlight following the arrival at Cubbin and North of the new Jeep Cherokee range in their showroom in Birkenhead.

The all-new luxury 4x4 vehicle, the Jeep Grand Cherokee features a choice of 4.0-litre or 4.7-litre V8 petrol engines, with a starting price of £29,995 on-the-road. Such is its popularity the Jeep Grand Cherokee has already been awarded 'Off Roader of the year' by leading consumer magazine What Car?.

The line-up also includes the ever popular Cherokee Orvis model, available in 4.0-litre six cylinder petrol and 2.5-litre turbo-diesel unit.

Isn't is about time you tried one for yourself? I did that on a 4x4 day in Tong, Yorkshire, courtesy of Cubbin & North. It is really amazing what the Jeep can do off-road. I went up some of the steepest gradients I've ever been on in a vehicle and the Jeep 4.0-litre V8 took it easily. Some of the hills were so steep you couldn't see over bonnet or horizon and there's a need to take it slowly over the other side! Fortunately I had a 4x4 expert in the passenger seat as my guide. His advice was to keep the steering wheel straight and "let the Jeep do the driving!"

The showroom Jeeps are so well equipped, smart, comfortable and street cred that you tend to forget they are also designed for tough terrain. That's when you need the 4x4 gears and locked differentials but they are all just a gear stick away. The Jeep is an impressive performer, too, on-the-road. The 4.0-litre automatic can reach 60mph in 9.5 seconds and is fast as a hot hatch, although you are rather aloof from them due to the driving position! Visibility is an added bonus on or off the road. The Jeep is equally at home on hills or a school run and is backed up by a three-year/60,000 miles warranty.

Jeeps come in all engine sizes including 4.0-litre six cylinder petrol, 2.5-litre turbo diesel and all kinds of spec including Orvis, for the added luxury of leather and walnut veneer inside plus alloy wheels and stainless steel sill protectors outside. We've been writing about the Jeep range and how good it is for a while now, and isn't it about time you popped along to Cubbin & North, New Chester Road, Birkenhead, and speak to Dave Howell to arrange a test drive!

For Cubbin & North, Birkenhead, phone 643-9300.

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