The Rise of the Jeep Cherokee: A Pioneer in the Crossover Segment
Jeep’s iconic Cherokee is often credited with kickstarting the crossover trend that dominates today’s automotive landscape. Released in 1984 under the internal name XJ, the original Jeep Cherokee quickly gained a dedicated following by bridging the gap between traditional family-friendly station wagons and rugged body-on-frame SUVs. While many early XJs met their demise due to heavy modification or rust, a remarkably clean example has recently surfaced on Cars & Bids, stirring up nostalgia and appreciation for this influential model.
When designing the XJ, Jeep drew inspiration from existing four-wheel-drive vehicles on the market. Subaru had already been offering wagons with four-wheel-drive for years, and Jeep’s parent company, American Motors Corporation (AMC), had carved out a niche with their four-wheel-drive Eagle wagon. The goal was to downsize the Cherokee, derived from the larger Wagoneer, into a more daily-drivable vehicle while retaining its off-road capabilities. This led to a significant shift away from body-on-frame construction, resulting in the introduction of a new architecture known as Uniframe.
The downsizing of the XJ Cherokee was remarkable. Compared to its predecessor, the Wagoneer-based Cherokee, which measured 183.5 inches long, 75.6 inches wide, and 65.9 inches tall, the XJ Cherokee came in at approximately 165 inches long, 70 inches wide, and 63 inches tall. It also shed around 864 pounds, weighing in at just 2,900 pounds. The XJ Cherokee’s versatility was further enhanced by its availability in both two-door and four-door configurations, setting it apart from its predominantly two-door rivals in the market. Jeep’s gamble paid off handsomely, with the XJ-generation Cherokee driving a significant increase in the brand’s sales within a year of its launch.
The featured example on Cars & Bids is the Pioneer model, positioned above the base trim in 1986. It boasts a clean Olympic White exterior with a blue cloth interior, riding on body-colored 15-inch steel wheels. Notably, it was also equipped with a swing-away spare tire carrier, an optional feature offered on early models. This particular XJ Cherokee, almost untouched by modifications, remains in fairly good shape despite nearing its 40th birthday. It perfectly embodies the ruggedness and nostalgia that the term “SUV” evoked for many drivers in the 1980s and ’90s, especially those who spent time in the mountainous regions of the United States.
In 1986, Jeep buyers had three engine options to choose from. The base engine was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder generating 117 horsepower and 135 pound-feet of torque. Alternatively, customers could opt for the 2.1-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder borrowed from Renault, tuned to deliver 85 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. Surprisingly, a General Motors-sourced 2.8-liter V6 offered only 115 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, making it less powerful than the four-cylinder option. The featured model is powered by the more desirable six-cylinder engine, widely considered the best choice among the three. Power is sent to either the rear or all four wheels through a five-speed manual transmission and a two-speed transfer case.
Throughout its production run, which ended in 2001, Jeep made numerous changes to the XJ-generation Cherokee. The most notable was the replacement of the 2.8-liter V6 with the famous 4.0-liter straight-six engine in 1987. Additionally, a new look was introduced in 1997, which remained until the Cherokee’s retirement in the United States. However, production continued in China well into the 2010s. While the XJ Cherokee showed signs of aging in its later years, it continued to be a popular choice, solidifying its status as one of Jeep’s most influential models. The XJ Cherokee nameplate remained in Jeep’s portfolio until the 2023 model year.
The bidding for the 1986 XJ Cherokee on Cars & Bids is currently at $1,155, with six days left in the seven-day auction. As a no-reserve auction, the highest bidder will have the opportunity to take home this superb and relatively early example of one of Jeep’s most influential models. Don’t miss out on the chance to own a piece of automotive history and experience the enduring appeal of the original Jeep Cherokee firsthand.