Although it's now becoming a familiar sight on British roads, the 'new' Jeep Cherokee still has some way to go to match the durability of its predecessor. That model was around in various incarnations for 17 years, and although this generation Cherokee has been steadily developed since its 2001 launch, such is the pace of change nowadays it's doubtful this shape car will still be rolling out of dealerships in 2018. 2004 saw a revision to the trim structure and now the Cherokee gets a big boost to its on-road safety provision.

It's starting to be an exception to find a mainstream vehicle costing over £20,000 that isn't fitted with some form of stability control device. These systems used to be rather basic but have been refined over the years to work with high-sided vehicles like the Cherokee. It's a simple fact of physics that 4x4s have a higher chance of rollover when performing extreme manoeuvres on tarmac than a low slung sports car due to their centre of gravity but a decent stability control system can do much to negate this threat. The ERM (Electronic Roll Mitigation) function uses the ESP sensors to anticipate if the vehicle is entering a potential roll situation and goes to work in order to counter this threat.

The ESP (Electronic Stability Program) system fitted to the latest Cherokee has been developed in conjunction with industry leaders Bosch and continuously compares the actual behaviour of the vehicle with pre-programmed reference values. The moment the car deviates from a normal pattern of behaviour, the ESP system intervenes with a combination of braking and engine power reduction, counteracting the critical rotational movements that occur in the very first moments of a spin. Where the system really shows its mettle is on the sort of mixed snow, ice and gravel surfaces that Jeep Cherokee owners will routinely test their vehicles upon. That's quite a programming feat by any stretch of the imagination.

"Should you wish to venture off road, you'll find authentic low Range gearing."

Don't confuse this setup with the more rudimentary traction control systems you may have seen on many hatchbacks. This is a far more sophisticated piece of software. Whereas a traction control system merely inhibits wheelspin, ESP is operational at all times, whether braking, accelerating or just coasting. It's often under braking or a trailing throttle that a big vehicle like the Cherokee feels most ungainly and ESP helps to keep it feeling easily controllable. It's not the first Jeep to use the system, following on from the latest revision of the Grand Cherokee.

As well as the more effective safety net cast by the ESP system the Cherokee gets a tyre pressure monitoring system for additional peace of mind. The Sport model features alloy wheels and a spare wheel cover while the Limited model gets satellite navigation, part leather trimmed heated seats and an electric sunroof as standard. The best news is that prices haven't been raised a penny. In fact when compared model for model with last year's car, they're cheaper.

The Cherokee has long been targeted at those 4x4 owners who want something that looks pretty hairy-chested but who don't want the agricultural overtones of some 'old money' 4x4s. With a rugged look and pleasantly refined road manners, the Cherokee makes a good choice, and the badge still carries some clout in a market packed with synthetic wannabes. The latest version offers a slight makeover, but nothing so extreme as to send existing owners' residual values plummeting.

The engine line up remains a two way choice, albeit a fairly skewed one, at prices starting from around £20,000. There are four models fitted with the rugged 2.8-litre CRD common rail diesel and one with the rather thirsty 3.7-litre petrol V6. The 163bhp diesel will account for over 90 per cent of all UK Cherokee sales. With 296 lb/ft of torque on offer, it's not shy of muscle but it's not the most refined diesel engine at idle. It's not shy of mid-Range urge, getting to 60mph in a tad over 13 seconds and runs on to a top speed of 108mph. In case you were wondering, fuel consumption is pegged at 36.7mpg and emissions are rated at 246g/km - not too shabby at all for such a hefty vehicle.

It's difficult to get away from the car's legacy when looking at the Cherokee. When it was launched in the UK in1992 the Cherokee wasn't exactly box-fresh, having already served an eight-year commission across the pond. Nevertheless, British buyers soon took it to their hearts and for a brief period in the mid-nineties a Cherokee was a far safer investment than bricks, mortar, gold or the BCCI. It was relatively affordable and it made an interesting alternative to the existing crop of 4x4s that were either resolutely agricultural or self-consciously effeminate. Here was something that the Marlboro Man would probably drive when his horse went in for its 12,000-mile service.

Given this rugged appeal, it was easy to forgive the Cherokee's faults. There was less rear-seat space than you'd find in a Peugeot hatch and the fake wood trim looked like something purloined from a motel that charged by the hour. Nevertheless, in those boom years when fuel was merely extortionate, the Cherokee made a stRange kind of sense. Even when Jeep tried to replace the thing with the Grand Cherokee model, for that was its purpose, UK buyers stayed loyal and the Grand Cherokee was subsequently positioned as an upscale alternative. Few would have realised that the Cherokee would metamorphose into what has become the very best compact 4x4 if true dual purpose tarmac and off roading duties are required.

Customers will need to see past the Cherokee's rather plasticky interior and vocal diesel engine and appreciate its dynamic talents if the vehicle is to make the sort of impact Chrysler Jeep hope. If you value ability over polish, the latest Cherokee is a very decent choice.