I also found the cockpit a bit tighter and more confining than I've become used to in the late model SUVs. Riding in the backseat is a bit uncomfortable for long hauls and there are no head rests for rear passengers. If you use the rear for hauling cargo, then all is well. Folding the rear seat out of the way to create a good-sized cargo area is easy. The bottom cushion pulls up and the seatback folds down creating a flat surface.
Some cargo space is lost because of the inclusion of the spare tire in the rear compartment.
The newest version of the Cherokee is certainly worth consideration. But give it the back door test before you make a final decision. Maybe I'm just not as good at climbing, twisting and turning as I was in my younger and slimmer days. The Cherokee can be seen and test driven at Leith of Goldsboro. Return to the News-Argus Front Page.