Jeep Cherokee

Jeep Cherokee
Overview
Manufacturer	Jeep (FCA, formerly Chrysler via American Motors)
Model years	1974–present
Body and chassis
Class	Sport utility vehicle (1974–2013) Crossover SUV (2014–present)

The Jeep Cherokee is a line of vehicles sold by Jeep under various vehicle classes. Originally sold as a variant of the popular Jeep Wagoneer, the Cherokee has evolved from a full-size SUV to one of the first compact SUVs and eventually into its current incarnation as a crossover SUV. The nameplate has been in continuous use in some form since 1974 and also spawned Jeep's most successful vehicle, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which was originally slated to be part of the Cherokee's lineup. The vehicle is named after the Cherokee tribe of Native Americans.

First generation (SJ)

First generation
Jeep Cherokee S
Overview
Manufacturer	Jeep (American Motors)
Production	1974–1983
Assembly	United States Argentina Australia [1] Mexico
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size SUV
Body style	2-door wagon 4-door wagon
Platform	SJ
Related	Jeep Wagoneer (SJ)
Powertrain
Engine	258 cu in (4.2 L) AMC I6 360 cu in (5.9 L) AMC V8 2-barrel 360 cu in (5.9 L) AMC V8 4-barrel 401 cu in (6.6 L) AMC V8 4-barrel
Transmission	4-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	108.7 in (2,761 mm)k
Length	186.4 in (4,735 mm)
Width	74.8 in (1,900 mm)
Height	66.4 in (1,687 mm)
Curb weight	4,514 lb (2,048 kg)

The Cherokee was a redesigned reintroduction of a two-door body style Jeep Wagoneer, with a single fixed rear side window with an optional flip-out section. Previously, a two-door version had been available in the Jeep Wagoneer line from 1963 to 1967), although this had the same pillar and window configuration as the four-door Wagoneer. This replaced the Jeepster Commando, whose sales had not met expectations despite an extensive 1972 revamp. The Cherokee appealed to a younger market than the Wagoneer, which was regarded more as a family SUV.

The Cherokee was marketed as the "sporty" two-door variant of Jeep's station wagon. The term "Sport Utility" appears for the first time in the 1974 Cherokee sales brochure.^[2] A four-door was not added to the lineup until 1977. Other than the base model, the trim levels of the Cherokee included the S (Sport), Chief, Golden Eagle, Golden Hawk, Limited, Classic, Sport, Pioneer, and Laredo.

Second generation (XJ)

Second generation
1984– 1998 Jeep Cherokee 2-door
Overview
Manufacturer	Jeep (American Motors Corporation, later Chrysler)
Also called	Jeep Wagoneer (1984-1990) Beijing-Jeep BJ 2021 (4WD)[3] Beijing-Jeep BJ 7250 (2WD)[3]
Production	1984–2001 (USA) 1984–2007 (China) 1987–2001 (Venezuela) 1996–2000 (Argentina) 1992–2001 (Egypt)
Assembly	United States: Toledo, Ohio (Toledo Complex) China: Beijing (Beijing Benz) Venezuela: Valencia Argentina: Ferreyra, Córdoba Egypt: Cairo (Arab American Vehicles)
Body and chassis
Class	Compact SUV
Body style	2-door SUV 4-door SUV
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel drive / Four-wheel drive
Related	Jeep 2500 BAW Qishi[4]
Powertrain
Engine	2.1 L (126 cu in) Renault J8S I4 (turbocharged diesel) 2.5 L (150 cu in) AMC I4 (gasoline) 2.5 L (153 cu in) VM Motori 425 OHV I4 (turbocharged diesel) 2.8 L (173 cu in) GM LR2 V6 (gasoline) 4.0 L (242 cu in) AMC I6 (gasoline) 4.0 L (242 cu in) AMC H.O. I6 (gasoline) 4.0 L (242 cu in) PowerTech I6 (gasoline)
Transmission	4-speed Aisin AX-4 manual 5-speed Aisin AX-5 manual 5-speed Peugeot BA-10/5 manual 5-speed Aisin AX-15 manual 5-speed NVG NV3550 manual 3-speed Chrysler A904 automatic 3-speed 30RH automatic 4-speed Aisin AW-4 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	101.4 in (2,576 mm)
Length	1987-1990: 165.3 in (4,199 mm) 1991-93: 168.8 in (4,288 mm) 1994-96: 166.9 in (4,239 mm) 1997-2001: 167.5 in (4,254 mm)
Width	1987-1993: 70.5 in (1,791 mm) 1994-96: 67.7 in (1,720 mm) 1997-99: 67.9 in (1,725 mm) 2000-01: 69.4 in (1,763 mm)
Height	1987-88 2WD: 63.4 in (1,610 mm) 1987–1993: 63.3 in (1,608 mm) 1994–99 2WD: 63.9 in (1,623 mm) 1994-2001 4WD: 64.0 in (1,626 mm) 2000–01 2WD: 63.8 in (1,621 mm)
Curb weight	3,357 lb (1,523 kg) (approx.)

While the Wagoneer continued in production for another eight years as the Grand Wagoneer, the Cherokee nameplate was moved to a new platform for 1984. Without a traditional body-on-frame chassis, the Cherokee instead featured a light-weight unibody design.^[5]

This generation Cherokee would eventually be well-known as an innovator of the modern SUV, as it spawned competitors as other automakers began to notice that this Jeep design began replacing regular cars.^[6] It also began to supplant the role of the station wagon and "transformed from truck to limousine in the eyes of countless suburban owners."^[7] The XJ is a "significant link in the evolution of the 4x4."^[8]

It would prove to be so popular that the second generation Cherokee's replacement was released as a separate vehicle altogether as the Jeep Grand Cherokee, itself starting a successive line of vehicles as Jeep's flagship vehicle.

Third generation (KJ)

Third generation
Overview
Manufacturer	Jeep (Chrysler)
Also called	Jeep Liberty
Production	2001–2007
Model years	2002–2007
Designer	Bob Boniface (1998)
Powertrain
Engine	2.4 L PowerTech I4 (gasoline) 2.5 L VM Motori R 425 I4 (turbo diesel) 2.8 L VM Motori R 428 I4 (turbo diesel) 3.7 L PowerTech V6 (gasoline)
Transmission	4-speed Ultradrive 42RLE automatic 4-speed Chrysler 45RFE automatic 5-speed Chrysler 545RFE automatic 5-speed New Venture Gear NV1500 manual 5-speed New Venture Gear NV3550 manual 6-speed Chrysler NSG370 manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	104.2 in (2,650 mm)
Length	2001-04: 174.2 in (4,420 mm) 2005-07: 174.7 in (4,440 mm)
Width	2001-04: 71.1 in (1,810 mm) 2005-07: 71.8 in (1,820 mm)
Height	2001-04: 73.2 in (1,860 mm) 2005-07: 69.8 in (1,770 mm)
Curb weight	3,508-4,312 lb (1,591-1,956 kg)

The third generation, marketed as the Jeep Liberty in North America to differentiate itself from the Grand Cherokee, was introduced in April 2001 for the 2002 model year.

The Cherokee was priced between the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee. It remained the smallest of the 4-door Jeep SUVs up until the crossover-based 4-door Compass and Patriot arrived for 2007. The Cherokee featured unibody-construction. It was assembled at the Toledo North Assembly Plant in the United States, as well as in other countries including Egypt and Venezuela.

It was the first Jeep vehicle to use rack and pinion steering.^[9] It also the first Jeep to use the two then-new PowerTech engines; the 150 horsepower (110 kW) 2.4 L straight-4, which was discontinued in 2006, and the 210 horsepower (160 kW) 3.7 L V6. However, the Cherokee was not the first Jeep vehicle to use an independent front suspension, as the Wagoneer first used it in the 1963 model. But, that independent front suspension was limited to four wheel drive versions and, even then, was a short lived option.^[10]

Fourth generation (KK)

Fourth generation
Overview
Manufacturer	Jeep (Chrysler)
Also called	Jeep Liberty
Production	2007[11]–August 16, 2012
Model years	2008-2013[12][13]
Body and chassis
Related	Dodge Nitro
Powertrain
Engine	2.8 L VM Motori RA 428 I4 (turbo diesel) 3.7 L PowerTech V6 (gasoline)
Transmission	4-speed Ultradrive 42RLE automatic 5-speed Mercedes-Benz W5A580 automatic 6-speed Chrysler NSG370 manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	106.1 in (2,690 mm)
Length	176.9 in (4,490 mm) (2008-2010) 176.1 in (4,473 mm) (2011-2013)
Width	72.4 in (1,840 mm) (2008-2010) 73.1 in (1,857 mm) (2011-2013)
Height	74.9 in (1,900 mm) (2008-2010) 71.3 in (1,811 mm) (2011-2013)
Curb weight	3,985-4,780 lb (1,808-2,168 kg)

Still using the Jeep Liberty name in North America, the Cherokee was redesigned in 2008. For the first time, a rebadged version of a Jeep model existed, as Dodge sold this version of the Cherokee as the Dodge Nitro during the same time period as the fourth-generation Cherokee. It was eventually discontinued both due to slow sales as well as Sergio Marchionne wanting to avoid duplicated vehicles with Dodge and Jeep (as well as Chrysler) sharing the same sales network.

With the smaller Patriot and Compass now available to cater to MPG-conscious buyers, the four-cylinder engine was dropped from the Cherokee's offerings. The iron-block, aluminum-head V6 was the only engine available for 2008. Towing capacity was 5,000 pounds (2,268 kg). Jeep discontinued the Cherokee's CRD for the American market because it couldn't meet tougher 2007 emissions standards for diesel engines. Transmission choices were both carry-overs: a six-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. Standard equipment included electronic stability control with roll mitigation, traction control, and anti-lock brakes with brake assist. New Features included standard side airbags. Optional features are rain-sensing wipers, Sirius Satellite Radio, Bluetooth, a navigation system, and the MyGig entertainment system, complete with a 30GB hard drive.

Fifth generation (KL)

Fifth generation
Overview
Manufacturer	Jeep (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles)
Production	June 2013 – present
Model years	2014 – present
Assembly	United States: Toledo, Ohio (Toledo Complex) Belvidere, Illinois (Belvidere Assembly Plant) Changsha, China (GAC Fiat)
Designer	Greg Howell
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size crossover SUV
Body style	4-door SUV
Layout	Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive / all-wheel drive / four-wheel drive layout
Platform	FCA Compact Wide[14]
Related	Dodge Dart (2013) Alfa Romeo Giulietta (2010)[14] Chrysler 200 (2015)
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 "940 A 8000" Multijet I4 (diesel - Europe only)[15] 2.2 Multijet I4 (diesel - Europe only) 2.0 L Tigershark I4 (gasoline) (China) 2.4 L Tigershark I4 (gasoline)[16] 3.2 L Pentastar V6 (gasoline)[16]
Transmission	6-speed manual 9-speed 948TE automatic[16]
Dimensions
Wheelbase	106 in (2,692 mm)
Length	182 in (4,623 mm)
Width	73.2 in (1,859 mm) (Sport, Latitude, and Limited models) or 74.9 in (1,902 mm) (Trailhawk model only)
Height	66.2–67.8 in (1,681–1,722 mm)

For the fifth generation, the Cherokee nameplate returned to North America as the vehicle was converted to a crossover and grew to midsize in order to make room for the Jeep Renegade below the Cherokee and Compass. It was introduced for the 2014 model year at the 2013 New York International Auto Show and the sales started in November 2013.^[14][17][17] The Cherokee is the first Jeep vehicle to be built on the Fiat Compact/Compact U.S. Wide platform, co-developed by Chrysler and Fiat.^[16] The Jeep Cherokee is built at Toledo North Assembly Plant in Toledo, Ohio.^[18]

The Cherokee has a highway fuel economy rating of 31 miles per U.S. gallon (7.6 L/100 km; 37 mpg_-imp);^[16] and a 45% better fuel economy rating than the Liberty/Cherokee it replaced.^[17][18]

The fifth-generation Cherokee would become such a sales success that FCA discontinued the slow-selling Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200 (both mechanically similar to the Cherokee) in order to increase production capacity for the Cherokee to meet demand.

References