CHEROKEE NATION

THERE is no better place in the USA to test a new four-wheel drive than Moab, Utah. The region’s combination of stunning scenery, diverse terrain and trails ranging from mild to wild, renders it a natural platform to evaluate on-road manners and limits of capability.

Last year we drove the new Grand Cherokee L (the larger three-row seating variant) at the Chelsea Proving Grounds near Detroit, but when Jeep presented the opportunity to test the Trailhawk on Moab’s slickrock, we decided to revisit this fifth generation of the brand’s now-iconic luxury SUV.

Before we dive in to the details, we’ll start by stating the Gen V is a completely new platform. While it hails from its predecessors’ DNA, everything from the suspension and chassis, to interior and bodylines, have been brought up to speed with the latest tech and manufacturing processes.

Over the past