Overview & Reviews

When the original Jeep Cherokee debuted back in 1984, its compact dimensions, unibody (as opposed to heavier body-on-frame) architecture and go-anywhere capability made it an immediate success. But the SUV scene changed dramatically over the course of its nearly 20-year production run. By the early 2000s, car-based "crossovers" like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 had usurped the antiquated Cherokee's throne. With the arrival of the modernized Jeep Liberty for the 2002 model year, the Cherokee was put out to pasture, its time seemingly having come and gone.

The Liberty never really caught on with consumers, however, whereas the trusty Cherokee's reputation continued to resonate. Accordingly, Jeep resurrected the iconic Cherokee nameplate for the Liberty's successor. Today's Cherokee is a true crossover that shares its platform with the front-wheel-drive Dodge Dart sedan, departing from the rear-wheel-drive tradition established by the original Cherokee and upheld by the Liberty. Its aerodynamic shape, feature-rich interior and carlike driving dynamics speak soothingly to today's pavement-biased shoppers. But rest assured, it's still a Jeep -- so if you do want to hit up some trails, three available four-wheel-drive systems plus numerous off-road-ready options ensure you won't get left in the dust.

Current Jeep Cherokee
The current Cherokee is offered in Sport, Latitude, Trailhawk and Limited trim levels. The Sport is pretty spartan, but it provides convenience features like power accessories, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and a six-speaker touchscreen stereo with USB/Bluetooth connectivity. The better-equipped Latitude entices with its alloy wheels, foglights, LED interior lighting and options like dual sunroofs, nine-speaker audio and the excellent 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen interface. The Trailhawk focuses on heavy-duty hardware, including standard 4WD with the locking rear differential, flared fenders, wider wheels and tires, skid plates, tow hooks and an off-road suspension with a 1-inch lift. The fancy Limited lacks those rough-and-ready items but boasts bigger alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery and other luxury-oriented provisions. A panoramic sunroof replaces the dual sunroofs on the options list for both the Trailhawk and Limited.

In the engine room, the Cherokee is powered by either a 2.4-liter four-cylinder (184 horsepower) or a 3.2-liter V6 (271 hp). The transmission for both is a nine-speed automatic. Front-wheel-drive is standard, but Jeep offers three four-wheel-drive systems: an introductory setup with a single-speed power transfer unit (referred to by most automakers as "all-wheel drive"), a two-speed unit with low-range gearing, and an upgraded two-speed system with a locking rear differential that's exclusive to the Trailhawk.

In reviews, we've found the Cherokee's four-cylinder engine underwhelming in terms of both power and refinement, but the V6 is a nice upgrade considering its smooth, satisfying acceleration. We're pleasantly surprised that Jeep offers it, as V6s have largely disappeared from this segment in favor of more fuel-efficient fours. As noted, the Cherokee's V6 isn't much less efficient than the base four, so it's pretty much a win-win. We're not convinced that the transmission really needs all nine speeds, but it goes about its business unobtrusively for the most part.

From the driver seat, the Cherokee isn't as sporty as the Ford Escape or Mazda CX-5, but it handles well enough, and its cushy, quiet ride makes commuting a breeze. Off-roaders intrigued by the Cherokee's refinement will be pleased to learn that there's some real bushwhacking potential here, particularly in the "Trail Rated" Trailhawk, which also looks considerably meaner from the curb. What's not found in the Cherokee is an abundance of cargo space -- it brings up the rear among comparable crossovers -- but on the bright side, the sliding-and-reclining backseat is thoroughly adult-friendly.

Used Jeep Cherokee Models
The current, second-generation Jeep Cherokee debuted for the 2014 model year.

The first-generation Jeep Cherokee was unveiled for the 1984 model year as an austere, tough-as-nails SUV, with only its then-radical unibody construction separating it from true truck status. Two- and four-door versions were available. Built on a short wheelbase and tipping the scales at approximately 3,100 pounds, the Cherokee was nimble and responsive compared to the Chevy Blazers and Ford Broncos of its day. On the other hand, getting in and out could be tricky due to the high step-up and small doors, and the rear seat was quite cramped.

The original Cherokee evolved with mostly minor changes over the years, highlighted by the arrival of a fuel-injected four-cylinder engine for 1986 and the popular 4.0-liter inline-6 engine for 1987. A refreshed Cherokee was introduced for 1997 with slightly smoother exterior styling, some structural tweaks for improved refinement and a new dashboard (including dual airbags), but its utilitarian, no-nonsense character remained fully intact.

In our road test of a '97 Cherokee, we found the Jeep unequalled off-road, yet still respectable on the blacktop in terms of acceleration and handling. We liked the firm, sporty ride, although some may find it too stiff and trucklike. At this point, finding a clean and well-maintained first-generation Cherokee is going to be tricky, but modifying the vehicle for enhanced off-road use is very popular.

For more information on the original Jeep Cherokee, go to our Jeep Cherokee History page.

User Reviews:

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  Impressive quality/reliability - 1999 Jeep Cherokee
  By skaboss - March 29 - 5:10 pm

  No major problems. Cant believe that it has lasted like this. We take good care of it, and it looks almost new. Almost no rust - surprising for WI. Strong engine/tranny. Interior shows almost no wear. All repairs have been maintenance issues - nothing major. Easy to work on. Would highly recommend.

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  Old look, new feel - 1998 Jeep Cherokee
  By cheeser - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Jeep for over 4 years now, and still love to drive it. I usually tire of products quickly, but not this Jeep. Its sleek enough to pick up clients in, durable enough to handle road trips, rugged enough to go off- road.

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  Love it! - 1999 Jeep Cherokee
  By Jon - March 19 - 1:50 pm

  I got my Jeep new on my 16th birthday and still have it now. It has never left me stranded and is still running strong with just routine maintenance at a tad over 100,000 miles. It is a great suv to have for all occasions, such as out with clients, moving furniture or just around town doing errands.

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  Good hunting rig - 2000 Jeep Cherokee
  By MNtrailhunter - March 17 - 3:06 pm

  My XJ has been a good hunting vehicle. With a minor lift and larger tires, It can go through just about anything. It sucks the gas and isnt the best for larger people to be in but it has a lot of cargo area compared to the TJs.

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  2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited FWD - 2014 Jeep Cherokee
  By srdjdcat - March 12 - 9:31 am

  I needed a mid-size family SUV and did a ton of research. I opted for a fully loaded Cherokee Limited with luxury/convenience/UConnect/V6 package. This is the only vehicle in its class where I really liked the blend of exterior and interior design. The ride is very comfortable, ventilated seats work like a charm especially since I live in Phoenix and the temperatures are 100+ degrees six months out of the year. The dash board is simple yet offers a ton of features and is veary easy to use. The navigation is excellent, satellite radio, all that. I loaded all my music on a 64GB SD card.

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  Jeeper for Life - 1999 Jeep Cherokee
  By Love my Jeep - March 9 - 10:36 am

  With my 91 Cherokee Limited having 258000 miles on it I decided to buy something a little newer. I have always loved jeeps. The boxiness is great. The L6 pulls my trailer and 2 atvs with no problems (sportsman 500,600). The fuel is decent for something like this. The auto trans is bullet proof. They should never have stopped building these. My only complaint is the power windows. The sport is the most expensive to replace as it is a dealer only item.

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  I miss my Jeep - 2000 Jeep Cherokee
  By Johnny - February 28 - 11:36 pm

  Toughest and most reliable vehicle I have ever owned, foreign or domestic. Had to sell it at 150,000 miles so I could get my wife a new vehicle, but it was still going strong. Tough, reliable and simple.

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  Ill Miss Mine - 1998 Jeep Cherokee
  By mfern23 - February 25 - 10:00 pm

  My Mom bought a 98 Cherokee Sport in October 1997 and she said this was the best car she ever owned. A little over six years later this became my car and it lasted another six years. Had some electrical issues (fuel gauge was useless) and one or two major repairs, but when it came down to it this was one reliable vehicle. Fuel economy was decent (16 city/21 hwy), ride was fairly comfortable, and the 4x4 was outstanding. Had to trade her in at 140,595 miles, loved her so much got another Jeep (06 Wrangler Sport, like this one too) but I will always miss her. Honestly, if they still made these Cherokees I wouldve gotten one.

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  Love my Cherokee! - 2014 Jeep Cherokee
  By rmcpnh - February 22 - 8:34 am

  I purchased my Cherokee (V6, not 4-cyl) after owning an Outback and I love this vehicle! Its comfortable and fun to drive. Admittedly, I havent had the car long (7 weeks), but to date, I have had no issues and would highly recommend the Cherokee to others. My husband and son are 62" and they both fit comfortably in the front seat and although they probably wouldnt enjoy a long trip in the back seat, there arent many cars in which they would. However, weve had two adults in the back (510"+) who were both comfortable for a two hour trip with the front seats pushed all the way back.

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  Great sales person - 2017 Jeep Cherokee
  By Eileen Weir - February 22 - 4:59 am

  Nice car, Great salesperson