1997 - 2001 Jeep Cherokee - Still a Popular Pre-Owned SUV
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| The 1984 Jeep Cherokee was one of the SUV segment's literal 'pioneers'. 1984 Jeep Cherokee Pioneer shown. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
Utilitarian for sure, but Jeep's Cherokee was a popular choice among a new and growing SUV crowd when it debuted in 1983 as a 1984 model. I was there, working for Renault/AMC/Jeep at the time, and remember how impressed I was. The model was one of the original smaller SUVs, brought to life with engineering and design assistance from the French parent company.
To look at it now it seems an aerodynamic anachronism, bricklike compared to a modern wind-cheating SUV. Still it was honed in Renault's wind tunnel, and if memory serves me right, rather sleek in its own right when introduced.
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| 1997 Jeep Cherokee Sport. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler) |
After an amazingly long 12 year run without any substantial changes Jeep's new Chrysler Group caretaker gave the model a few subtle enhancements upgrading its overall look and feel. Its trendsetting wraparound turn signals departed in the redo, making way for separate side blinkers working in conjunction with amber flashers set into the revised grille. The taillights were modified too, now slightly smaller and flusher to the surrounding bodywork. The composite rear hatch remained while the SUV's profile design was cleaned up including less pronounced fender flares.