ANYONE who reads these pages regularly will by now be aware of my dislike for off-roading.I do not always find it a fun thing to do.

Frankly, I find it stressful, constantly worrying that the development engineers have over-estimated the vehicles' capabilities. I have been proved wrong at every event I have ever attended.

The latest was no different.

It was a couple of days of putting the latest Chrysler Jeep Cherokee through its paces, charging at respectable speeds over the highways and byways of Scotland before heading off into the depths of the countryside for the "Mother" of all off-road events.

But the whole object was to demonstrate its strengths, its amazing suspension system (which allows angled approaches up to 38 degrees, allowing the vehicle to tilt on just three wheels to a seemingly point of no return) and the amazing pulling and braking strengths of the engines over such formidable landscapes.

Once back in the land of sanity, it was possible to take a closer look at the new vehicle, the first all-new Jeep since the launch of the Grand Cherokee in 1999.

Road riding after the off-roading was a journey made in heaven! Smooth and virtually roll free. Plenty of acceleration and an automatic transmission which responded to every dip of the throttle.

This latest model is aimed at a new generation of 4x4 buyers, and Jeep's marketing executives reckon they will capture a lot of new customers, particularly those who had sights on a Land Rover.

Among the many safety features carried by the Jeep Cherokee are side airbag curtains, and it is also the first model to provide all occupants across the back three-point lap and shoulder belts.

Fact file:

Model: Chrysler Jeep Cherokee

Prices: From £17,995 (2.4-litre Sport) to £23,145 (3.7-litre V6 limited)

Dimensions: Length 4496mm (including spare wheel), width 1819mm, height (with roof rack) 1866mm, wheelbase 2649mm

Ground clearance: front axle 203mm, rear axle 203mm, approach angle front 38-degrees, rear departure angle 32.3-degrees.

Engine: 3.7-litre V6, sohc, 12-valve, six cylinder

Maximum power: 208bhp at 5200rpm.

Maximum torque: 230lb.ft at 3800rpm.

Performance: 0-62mph 10.8-seconds; top speed 112mph

Fuel economy: Urban 14.5mpg. extra urban 23.9mpg, combined 19.3mpg

Transmission: Automatic four-speed overdrive, with full-time transfer case offering two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive part-time, full-time, neutral and four-wheel drive low

Suspension: Front upper and lower A-arms, coil springs, gas charged shock absorbers, stabiliser bars; rear live axle, trailing upper A-armdual trailing lower arms, coil springs, gas charged shocks and stabilisers.

Steering: Power rack and pinion. Turning circle 10.94-metres.

Brakes: Front vented disc, rear duo-servo drum, with ABS anti-lock.

Cargo area: Rear seat up 821-litres, down 1954-litres.