The Cherokee Pioneer is now based on the 2.8-litre CRD Sport model and comes with multi-stage airbags, front fog lights, headlamp levelling, air conditioning, ABS, electric front windows and a single CD player as standard. It is available with either a six speed manual gearbox or five-speed automatic transmission.

This Euro IV engine replaces the 2.5-litre diesel unit across the entire Cherokee range.

Compared to the previous 2.5-litre engine, the Pioneer’s payload has increased from 359 kg to 380 kg for the auto (370 kg for the manual) and the maximum towing weight has increased from 2688 kg to 3360 kg for the auto (it remains 2688 kg for the manual). The top speed has also increased to 108 mph (the 2.5-litre engine offered 101 mph) and CO2 has fallen from 250 g/km to 246 g/km while torque has increased from 251 lb.ft to 295 lb.ft.

The Cherokee Pioneer was the UK’s first commercial Jeep and was launched in 2004 with a 2.5 CRD engine. It features a completely flat cargo area with a full-length galvanised metal floor. This floor space is 1.2 m long, 1.2 m wide and 1 m high, creating 1954 litres of load space.

The new 2.8-litre VGT diesel engine Cherokee is available from all Chrysler UK dealers. For commercial customers the Cherokee Pioneer 2.8 CRD is priced from £17,720 CV OTR for the manual (£20,785 OTR) or £18,570 CV OTR for the automatic gearbox (£21,784 OTR).