On The Road
While it’s no sleek SUV in the style stakes the Pioneer definitely has presence. Its well proportioned dimensions give it a strong, purposeful look and the round headlights, though not what you’d call sleek, are in tune with its more practical commercial aspirations.
From previous experience in this class of vehicle we weren’t expecting any revelations when it came to driving the Pioneer on the road – a high centre of gravity coupled with off-road biased capabilities is never the best combination for on-road handling. But the Pioneer performed well beyond expectations.
Turning into corners revealed a composed chassis with the suspension surprisingly taut for a vehicle that’s designed to absorb the bumps off-road.
When pushed it produced a degree of understeer, but you’re well aware when that point will arrive. Body roll is kept in check and while the steering never is a strong point on such vehicles, it’s firm enough to let you know what the wheels are up to. On motorways and A-roads it held its line with minimal fuss, seemingly unaffected by crosswinds.
The 2.5-litre unit proved to be a strong performer, pulling eagerly from low down.
In fact, the power was delivered in a constant stream all the way up to the rev limit, giving the Pioneer a surprisingly sporty feel. Refinement was not the best when accelerating, but once we settled on a constant speed it relaxed. Helping the driving cause was the gearchange which had a slick operation and short throw.
Though most 4x4s, especially the passenger versions, and particularly examples based in Chelsea, will not be taken off road they still need to be able to cut the mustard if and when that time arrives. Many manufacturers claim their vehicles are valid all-terrain machines that can transfer their prowess from smooth to rough without a flinch.
At CM we have our doubts and believe the more ‘lifestyle’- oriented models may be prone to embarrassment. But the Pioneer is made by Jeep so we expected a more-than-adequate performance off-road and we were right. Steep gradients were taken in its stride, the engine’s gutsy nature proving well suited to the task. And the Command-Trac 4x4 system really dug in when the going got tough, transferring power to where it was needed most. The brakes performed well under pressure but needed a touch more bite to really stand out.
Cab Comfort
Coming from a passenger vehicle background it’s no surprise that the Pioneer is a nice place to be. OK, black is, well, everywhere, but there’s a quality look in the plastics and the design is far removed from the passenger CV.
The driving position has an upright feel to it, giving you a commanding view of the road; the seat is multi-adjustable and easy on the rear, though steering wheel adjustment is only for rake. There’s enough headroom to stop the driver headbutting the ceiling when the going gets rough.
Instrument layout is clear, with easy-to-read main dials and a central console that neatly houses all the minor controls. One small quirk is the location of the electric window switches between the seats – they’re also slightly set back making operation slightly awkward. That’s those crazy Yanks for you. Storage is not up to ‘real’ commercial vehicle standards, but is adequate. You get a glovebox, a central-storage bin-cum-armrest, door bins and several small cubby holes.
Though the Pioneer feels well screwed together and is quiet when cruising, when accelerating the engine makes its presence felt with a good bit of noise and vibration. It detracts from the overall feeling of a cosseting interior and Jeep may have to sort this if it wants to further the Pioneer’s cause. Combined with the rattling bulkhead, which we’re sure can be rectified easily enough, it becomes a bit of a problem.
On the plus side, wind and road roar were well suppressed, showing that the overall level of soundproofing is of a decent standard, in spite of that intrusive engine noise. Rear visibility is good and the door mirrors are large enough to make up for the loss of the rear side windows.
