The Jeep Cherokee XJ remains one of the best SUVs of all times. This vehicle was an inspiration for hundreds of SUVs. Be it designs or features, Jeep Cherokee XJ was an ultimate sport utility vehicle. It was available in a single generation between 1984 to 2001. The biggest advantage of this vehicle was its ability to last miles. Let us see about the original Jeep Cherokee XJ.
Durable Engines
The reason for the success of the original Jeep Cherokee XJ was its robust engines. It was built around AMC’s inline-4 engines. An engine from AMC was always the best in the business. This helped the vehicle gain attention. Some models were equipped with GM V6 engines. The Jeep Cherokee XJ didn’t have great torque output, but surprisingly the speed was good. For an SUV, a speed of 105mph was always higher. This was a unibody construction vehicle and one of the lightweight SUVs of that time.
Technology
The engineering of 1984 Jeep Cherokee XJ was raved by the people. As it was launched in 1984, people were surprised about the mechanics of this model. The major technology of this SUV were RWD, manual gearbox, and automatic gearbox. When it comes to suspension, the vehicle had independent suspension with front axle, coil springs, rear axle, and leaf springs. The vehicle had disc brakes, power steering, and electronic fuel injection. Some models were equipped with the 4WD technology.
Features
The Jeep Cherokee XJ was a rugged off-road vehicle, but the brand incorporated luxury features as it was a street-legal car. The interior features like AC, heater, radio, tachometer, and warning lights were available for this model. It had a large cargo area and bucket seats. Just like the engines, the vehicle had comfortable seats which would also last longer. The vehicle had 5 seats with adjustable seatbacks and vinyl upholstery.
An Iconic SUV
Jeep Cherokee XJ was popular for many reasons like durable vehicle, powerful engines, and advanced technology. This vehicle was a unibody construction which was first for its time. Because of this, the vehicle offered great endurance and comfortable driving experience. The mileage and fuel economy were another factors that increased the sales. It was hard to build an SUV on a lightweight unibody platform, but Jeep Cherokee XJ broke the stereotype and made way for more lightweight SUV cars.
Styling
Jeep Cherokee XJ had a boxy styling with rugged designs. The vehicle’s exterior had vertical windshield, flat sides, and this resulted in great visibility. It had a seven-slot grille, steel bumpers, and trims. The large wheels, gauges, and speedometer were part of the styling. In the end, the ground clearance and durability of the vehicle were amazing. The Jeep Cherokee XJ created a record when it went beyond 300,000 miles. Not every SUV goes beyond these limits.
Long Selling Vehicle
Known as the first modern and compact SUV, the Jeep Cherokee XJ was a commercially successful vehicle. It was available as a 2-door and 4-door vehicle. The price was higher as it was an SUV. The Jeep Cherokee XJ was sold for around $10,000 USD. In the very first year itself, the total production was around 70,000 units. Jeep Cherokee XJ sold more than 2.8 million units in the entire run. Everything was possible because of AMC who incorporated the idea.
