About the only place the interior design stumbles is in its use of hard plastics, which don’t seem fitting given the vehicle’s upscale character. Our only other complaint is the less than intuitive interface of the optional navigation system, which we think is bound to add to driver distraction and frustration levels. Sliding into the back seat we were immediately struck by how much the accommodations have been improved, with noticeably more knee and foot room than the outgoing model. Though this second row is meant to seat three across, the hard front seatbacks and limited legroom in the center position make it much better suited to just two passengers.
Because we all seem to be packing more tools and toys these days, Jeep has added a number of interior trays, bins, and cubbyholes designed to hold cell phones, MP3 players, and the like. The storage bin in the center console armrest, while not especially large, includes a handy organizer for loose change and room for a handful of CDs.
For larger cargo, there’s 34.5 cubic-feet of space with the 60/40 split-folding rear seat raised and in use, and 67.4 cubic-feet with both sides of the back seat folded down. The process of going from passenger-carrying to cargo-carrying mode is made simpler by rear seatbacks that automatically tuck their headrests under as they fold forward to make a flat load floor.
Speaking of the cargo area, the floor features a built-in plastic tray meant to contain messy items; a nice touch, though its small size limits its usefulness. In back, a wide-opening liftgate makes getting at your gear a snap, while plenty of tie-down points help keep the load secure.
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