All owner reviews about Jeep Cherokee XJ restyling. Jeep Cherokee (XJ) - model description Changes by years

26.06.2020

Miscellaneous

Jeep Cherokee XJ modifications

Jeep Cherokee XJ 2.5MT 127hp

Jeep Cherokee XJ 2.5MT 130hp

Jeep Cherokee XJ 2.5AT 130hp

Jeep Cherokee XJ 2.5TD MT

Jeep Cherokee XJ 4.0MT 184hp

Jeep Cherokee XJ 4.0AT 184 hp

Jeep Cherokee XJ 4.0MT 190hp

Jeep Cherokee XJ 4.0AT 190hp

Odnoklassniki Jeep Cherokee XJ for the price

Unfortunately, this model has no classmates...

Jeep Cherokee XJ owner reviews

Jeep Cherokee XJ, 1990

The car was purchased from a friend - this is a custom car, brought from the States at the height of "jeep mania", when, at the sight of a "jeep" grille in the rear mirror, the road gave way automatically. After driving a crumbling Italian on the go and instantly rusting an Opel, I was amazed at the reliability and solidity of the Jeep Cherokee XJ. The car was "lifted" by the previous owner - the feeling of driving a bus, but with unique maneuverability and excellent reception.

The engine has no problems - for 4 years I installed new candles (and then, because they gave expensive ones), changed the oil and that's it. Yes, I replaced the crankshaft position sensor. The automatic transmission of this model (in my opinion, AW4, but I could be wrong) seems to be a Japanese development, the oil changes after 50,000 km, and I have an escape after replacing about 15,000. On the forums, people call this box almost “eternal” at the right level oil, for all the time added (for winters) about 400 grams of "dextron" and that's it. Now about the "jeep" qualities - the Jeep Cherokee XJ's liquid mud patency (after rain across the field in the country) is 100%! The descent into the ravine and the ascent from it (I had such a road to the dacha) even after a downpour is not a problem. In fact, not a single car passed by us after the rain. Next, drive through a 0.7-meter icy (measured on purpose) hillock in the yard, created by a janitor and snowplows. For the last 2 years, my wife has traveled more - I confirm. He calmly let her go alone with a small child on our Moscow roads. Reliability and safety.

Advantages : reliability. Patency. Safety.

Flaws : age.

Dmitry, Moscow

Jeep Cherokee XJ, 1992

I know few SUVs that can cross a meter long ford without any consequences, the Jeep Cherokee XJ can, and easily and naturally. High ground clearance and short overhangs allow you to climb curbs and gullies that are inaccessible to Pajero and the like, not to mention SUVs. You can connect and disconnect all-wheel drive at speeds up to 100 km / h, which is very convenient in winter conditions. The manufacturer allows long-term towing of a trailer weighing more than two tons, the diesel engine confidently pulls this trailer on any slopes. The cruising speed of the Jeep Cherokee XJ is 120 km/h, it feels confident, it stands rooted to the spot on the track, no rolls and rolls, sensitive steering, there is a good supply of power for overtaking. Maintenance is quite cheap, components are not expensive and of high quality. In general, I'm satisfied.

Advantages : great SUV.

Flaws : fuel consumption.

Artem, Omsk

Jeep Cherokee XJ, 1996

I sit high, I look far away. Soft and almost comfortable, like riding a horse for the first time. Anyone who has jumped at least once will understand me. While the "skate" is warm and soft, and began to jump, then you yourself understand. But you get used to everything and eventually enjoy the most frantic ride. The wife is delighted, the mother-in-law is delighted, but getting in and out of the Jeep Cherokee XJ is uncomfortable for them, even cry. After rain or in winter, climb inside so as not to get smeared, like hell they can’t. Well, God bless them, the conversation is not about them. The patency of the Jeep Cherokee XJ, with good tires, is wonderful. Knowledgeable people say that the UAZ goes better, I haven’t tried it, I don’t know. At least, I have not yet been able to land a Jeep Cherokee XJ, and believe me, I had a lot of opportunities for this, and good friends and girlfriends a lot of desire. "Thirst" is moderate. "Drinks" a little - 10.5 liters of diesel fuel per 100 km, and this is in the city.

Advantages : permeability. Simplicity of design.

Ruslan, Yekaterinburg

which we posted earlier.

First generation

The Jeep Cherokee mid-size crossover is currently represented by the 2013 KL model, which is officially sold in Russia. This is the fifth generation of the famous American SUV, which made the name "jeep" a household name. The first generation was introduced in the USA in 1974 as a further development of the Wagoneer model, which was released in the 60s of the last century. "Cherokee" in its legend overtook even Land Rover.

The “ancestor” of the modern Cherokee was an all-wheel drive and full-size classic SUV with the SJ index. In addition to America, he was popular in Argentina and Australia. Outwardly, it did not differ from many cars of that time, but it was considered a reliable and passable vehicle.

The first versions of the Cherokee were equipped with two power units with a working volume of 4 and 5 liters. The two versions also differed in their transmission design: one had a manual gearbox and plug-in all-wheel drive, while the other had an “automatic” and permanent all-wheel drive. In total, about 200 thousand cars of the SJ version were produced.

There was also a special version of the performance called Chief. Compared with the basic configuration, it featured a wider track and larger wheel arches, as well as more expensive interior trim. Wide arches made it possible to install large wheels, which had a positive effect on the cross-country ability of the SUV.

Second generation

The second generation Cherokee with the XJ index was produced from 1984 to 2001. It determined a further trend towards a reduction in the size of the car. Although externally XJ differed little from its predecessor, it was smaller and more attractive in appearance. The front optics from round became rectangular, the shape of the hood changed. The XJ model was produced in both five-door and three-door body styles.

A feature of the car of the second generation can be called the presence of all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive modifications. XJ received a load-bearing body, which distinguished it from more traditional frame SUVs.

The luxury five-door version of this model was named Wagoneer. It outwardly differed in twin headlights, and in the cabin there was a trim made of precious wood. The range of power units has been expanded. There were two banzan engines with a working volume of 2 and 4 liters, as well as a two-liter turbodiesel with a capacity of 80 hp. But if gasoline engines were mated with both a manual transmission and an “automatic”, then only “mechanics” relied on a diesel engine.

On March 22, 1990, the second-generation Cherokee broke the record for the mass production of American SUVs. If the cars of the first option did not break the mark of 200 copies, then the new version calmly overcame the millionth mark. This event was marked by the release of the Cherokee XJ Limited modification.

In 1997, the XJ was restyled. As a result, the shape of the rear lights, bumpers and radiator grille has changed (it has received large vertical stripes). In total, the second generation Cherokee had three versions: Mounty, Sport and Limited.

third generation

The Detroit Auto Show in 2001 was marked by the premiere of the third generation of the most massive American SUV. The new model received the KJ index and was sold in the USA under the name Liberty.

The Liberty differed from its predecessors in the presence of only two basic trim levels: Sport and Limited. However, he also did not have a traditional frame. Instead, a load-bearing body with stiffeners along the bottom was used. Also, the new model received an independent front suspension.

The set of motors that supplied the third-generation SUV was much wider. It was represented by four diesel and three petrol units, ranging from 143 to 210 hp. From 2005 to 2007, a restyled version of the Cherokee KJ was produced. Its creators wanted to strike a compromise between the car's off-road capabilities and passenger comfort. Therefore, the load-bearing body and all-wheel drive remained, but the car was produced only in a five-door version. Also a feature of the third generation Cherokee was rack and pinion steering, which had not previously been used on Jeep cars.

The restyled version in 2005 featured more comfortable seats. In addition, in the basic configuration there were airbags, air conditioning and full power accessories. The steering wheel is leather-wrapped.

A special version of the Renegade was dedicated to off-road fans. This version received two additional headlights on the roof, enlarged wheel arches, a special body kit and protection of all important structural components.

Jeep Cherokee motors are not amenable to unambiguous assessment. The two-liter petrol is the most economical, but with it it takes almost 14 seconds to accelerate to 100 km / h. The 3.7-liter unit has much better dynamics, but the average fuel consumption in the city often exceeds 20 liters per 100 km.

fourth generation

Jeep Cherokee KK became the representative of the fourth generation of the brand. This version was equipped with a four-cylinder turbodiesel and a 3.7-liter petrol “six”. It is believed that a gasoline engine is more reliable. But there is one feature: the fuel pump and the fuel filter are not disassembled, so when the filter becomes clogged, the entire pump changes.

Fuel injectors are recognized as a vulnerable point of the Cherokee KK diesel engine. The diesel engine is built on a common rail system, so replacing these parts can be expensive for the owner. Therefore, experienced jeepers are advised to carefully choose gas stations and, if possible, put an additional filter-separator in the fuel system. In general, Italian diesels in a jeep are not an easy economic decision. The article of our technical director presents the main arguments against diesels on these vehicles.

If the injector fails, the engine may cause uncontrolled ingress of unburned fuel into the cylinders. This is fraught with damage to the piston group and crankshaft. And since the engine is turbocharged, there is another problem.

Typically, the turbine gives slack at about 90,000 kilometers. Therefore, when purchasing an SUV in the secondary market, it will not be out of place to pay attention to the condition of the turbine. It does not hurt to install a turbo timer. Otherwise, an uncontrolled “oil burner” will destroy the entire engine.

In the Russian market, KK is mainly represented by the Limited package with an automatic transmission. More precisely, there were two “machine guns”, American and German. American boxes were put on SUVs with a gasoline engine. Diesels relied on the German NAG-1. They are both reliable when properly used. Every 40-45 thousand kilometers it is recommended to change the gear oil.

Of the problems of steering and suspension, it is worth noting the backlash of the steering rack and the failure of ball joints. Such troubles should be expected after 50,000 km of run. Also, consumable spare parts should include bushings and struts of the anti-roll bar. There is a note on the electrician: you need to pay special attention to the condition of the various connectors and cables, be careful when installing additional equipment.

Jeep Cherokee KL

The fifth generation with the KL index is very popular in Russia. The 2014 Cherokee chassis is brand new. Now the car is a fashionable front-wheel drive crossover with a transverse engine.

Changes were made not only in appearance, but also in the interior of the “Indian”. All important information is now displayed not only on analog devices, but also on a wide color screen of the multimedia system.

The current model "Cherokee" is perfect for comfortable overcoming rough terrain. This is largely due to its geometric parameters. Despite the fact that the all-terrain vehicle was essentially turned into a “SUV”, its off-road capabilities are quite wide. Especially the luxury version of the Trailhawk.

The new car, in terms of workmanship and even handling, came closest to the older model, called the Grand Cherokee. It has a built-in navigator and even a special “off-road” cruise control, which only the Japanese Land Cruiser could boast before. The off-road driving style of the KL clearly fits into the stable expression “slowly but surely”.

The car was equipped with all existing means of active and passive safety. There are no less of them here than in luxury sedans. “Indian” is even able to recognize road markings! It is a pity that on our roads it is not everywhere.

But the real achievement of the new Cherokee was its economy. Despite the fact that the SUV is equipped with two far from weak power units, fuel consumption in the urban cycle rarely exceeds 15 liters per 100 km. Motors are offered as much as a dozen: from 140-horsepower diesel to 270-horsepower gasoline.

Modification	doors	Fuel	Power, hp	checkpoint
2.0dAT (140)	5	Diesel	140	automatic transmission
2.0d AT (170) 4WD	5	Diesel	170	automatic transmission
2.0d MT (140)	5	Diesel	140	manual transmission
2.0d MT (140) 4WD	5	Diesel	140	manual transmission
2.4AT (177)	5	Petrol	177	automatic transmission
2.4AT (177) 4WD	5	Petrol	177	automatic transmission
2.4AT (184)	5	Petrol	184	automatic transmission
2.4AT (184) 4WD	5	Petrol	184	automatic transmission
3.2AT (272)	5	Petrol	272	automatic transmission
2.4AT (272) 4WD	5	Petrol	272	automatic transmission

There are four main modifications: Sport, Longitude, Traihawk and Limited.

Advantages:

acoustic comfort in the cabin
comfortable climate control
good driving dynamics
there are no "crickets" in the cabin
moderate suspension settings.

Flaws:

possible delays when shifting gears
small trunk
for serious off-road, the car needs to be redone
fuel consumption may seem high, although lower than its predecessors.

As for the most typical problems, on the fifth generation Cherokee, you should pay attention to the condition of the front ball joints, steering tips and front hubs.

Typical malfunctions of the Jeep Cherokee automatic transmission:

overrunning clutch failure;
delays in switching steps;
friction clutch destruction;
overheat.

To avoid these problems, you need to drive the car moderately, without sudden acceleration and braking. In extreme cases, the repair of the gearbox and other units of your SUV will be taken over by the specialists of the Vita-Motors service.

Jeep Cherokee XJ is one of the most famous cars of the Chrysler concern, the first ever SUV with an integrated frame, which became the prototype of modern crossovers.

Jeep Cherokee

The Cherokee XJ was developed by American Motors, which owned the Jeep brand until 1987. In 1987, American Motors, which took up the production of a compact SUV. Sales of the XJ were so successful, and the Jeep itself had such an attractive appearance and such a successful design that even after it was discontinued in the United States, licensed assembly continued in other countries, and in China the SUV continues to be produced to this day. .

History of the Jeep Cherokee XJ

The development of a compact SUV began a group of engineers from American Motors and Renault. As a result of their work, a prototype was created, the constructive basis of which was the Cherokee SJ SUV produced at that time by AMC. Thanks to the involvement of Renault representatives in early sketches of the XJ's interior, there are features that are more European cars than American ones. Subsequently, a variant was adopted, the authors of which were the developers from AMC, who worked under the direction of Richard Teague, the company's vice president of design.

Focusing on competitive models, including GM's Blazer S-10, AMC management decided to release a jeep in two versions - three- and five-door.

Engineers from both parts of the group - American and European - took part in the development of the suspension, transmission and overall layout. For example, François Castaing from Renault developed the concept of using the XJ, which, according to the creators, was supposed to be light and compact, with a relatively small engine, which was extremely atypical for SUVs of that time. This concept was realized, and the extremely successful, iconic AMC 150 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine was developed specifically for the Cherokee XJ.

The version that went on sale in Europe was called the Jeep Wagoneer. For the first time, sales of an SUV equipped with a 4-liter six-cylinder in-line engine began on the European market in 1992.

The model was produced unchanged until 1997, after which restyling was carried out, which affected both the technical aspects and the appearance of the car. For example, early releases were made of fiberglass, and after restyling it was replaced with metal; new plastic moldings appeared on the doors and arches, the front panel changed along with the radiator grille and a number of external elements.

Technical features of the Jeep Cherokee XJ

Both versions - three-door and five-door were built on the same base and do not differ from each other in size. At the same time, in the three-door version, the doors are noticeably longer to facilitate the landing of rear passengers, and the front seats are equipped with a system that allows them to be folded and simultaneously pushed forward, freeing the passage. The rear windows of the body were equipped with power windows, so in some versions sliding windows were installed behind them to provide an opportunity to ventilate the rear of the cabin.

Since 1985, the Cherokee has been produced with both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. At the same time, the front suspension of both versions was unified.

In addition to the AMC 150, the Cherokee XJ produced for the US and European markets was equipped with a number of gasoline engines and one diesel unit. Gasoline engines were mostly in-line, such as the famous AMC 242, but there are also instances with a GM 60 LR2 V6 engine. The diesel engine was put on the series produced for Europe. It was an Italian four-liter unit VM Motori 425 OHV.

The transmission of the car deserves a special description, which is very diverse, which only connoisseurs of the model can understand. At various times, 7 types of manual transmissions and three different automatic transmissions were installed on the Cherokee XJ.

However, the diversity is not limited to this. Buyers were offered a choice of all-wheel drive - permanent and plug-in, which led to the emergence of a number of different transfer cases with different capabilities: NP207 Command-Trac with hard and low gear ratios, NP231 Command-Trac, also with hard-wired front-wheel drive part-time, NP242 Selec-Trac with /part-time switching, and their modifications.

Jeep Cherokee XJ

In the nineties, the Jeep Cherokee XJ became one of the symbols of prosperity and prosperity of the "new Russians", who did not gravitate towards excessive pomposity. For excellent driving performance, capacity, cross-country ability and a high seating position that allowed the driver to feel confident surrounded by other cars, the XJ earned the respectful nickname "Jeep Wide". It favorably differed in price from the prohibitively expensive Grand Cherokee at that time and was reputed to be more affordable. However, having reached the limit of falling in value, the price of the XJ was fixed at a fairly high level. Now an SUV, regardless of the year of production, provided that it is in good condition, costs on average in the secondary market almost like a new Korean-made foreign car.

In the development of the Cherokee XJ, for the first time in the history of the American automotive industry, computer capabilities were widely used, including computer-aided design (CAD) programs. The storage system for the new model, developed by AMC, proved so convenient that after buying American Motors, Chrysler introduced it.

Kiplinger is listed as one of the "Top 20 Cars of All Time" by Kiplinger and "arguably represents the SUV paradigm that has inspired designers as they tackle the challenge of creating a new four-wheel-drive model over the past two decades."

In the early 1990s, the Cherokee JZ was planned to be completely phased out and replaced with a new SUV in the ZJ body that was in development, which went on sale in 1993 under the name Jeep Grand Cherokee. However, the popularity of the Cherokee XJ among buyers from various social groups (that is, among housewives, fans of off-road competitions, police officers, youth, etc.) was so great that it was decided to extend the release of the model for an indefinite period, and in the USA XJ was assembled for another 8 years , until 2001.

For the first time, right-hand drive jeeps, which later became serial and went on sale in the markets of countries with left-hand traffic, began to be assembled for the US Postal Service, since it is more convenient for postmen to throw newspapers on the porch of private houses (the traditional method of delivering mail in small towns) from the right window located closer to the sidewalk or curb.

The Jeep Cherokee SUV debuted in 1974 as a more "sporty" version of the 1963 Wagoneer model, it differed from the original in trim levels and exterior design. Initially, the car was produced only with a three-door body, but in 1977 the car also had a five-door modification.

The Cherokee was equipped with V8 engines of 5.9 and 6.6 liters, as well as in-line six-cylinder engines with a volume of 4.2 liters. Versions with a four-speed manual transmission had a plug-in all-wheel drive, and cars with a three-speed "automatic" had permanent all-wheel drive and a locking center differential.

The production of the first generation cars continued until 1983. In addition to the United States, they were collected in Australia and Argentina.

2nd generation (XJ), 1984–2001

The second-generation Jeep Cherokee, which debuted in 1984, was one of the first models in the new "compact SUV" class to gain popularity in the US market. The car received a load-bearing body instead of a frame and a front spring suspension instead of springs. The SUV was offered with a three-door and five-door body, and a slightly modified version of the car was also sold under the name Jeep Wagoneer.

The Jeep Cherokee was equipped with 2.5 and V6 2.8 engines (105–130 hp), and the most powerful version was a four-liter inline “six” that developed 173–190 forces. Also, the SUV was equipped with a 2.1-liter Renault turbodiesel (85 hp), which in 1994 was replaced by an Italian diesel engine VM Motori with a volume of 2.5 liters and a power of 114 forces. The transmission could be manual or automatic. Initially, all Cherokees had four-wheel drive, but in 1985 a rear-wheel drive version went on sale.

In 1997, a small restyling of the model was carried out, slightly affecting the exterior and interior. The 2.5 and 4.0 petrol engines, as well as a 2.5-liter turbodiesel, remained in the range of power units.

The second generation Jeep Cherokee was exported, including to Europe, the assembly of cars was organized in Argentina and Venezuela. In the USA, the production of an SUV ended in 2001, and in China, this model is still produced in a modified form under the brand name. Back in 1984, the Beijing Jeep Corporation became the first Chinese joint venture with a foreign manufacturer, and the Cherokee was the first relatively massive foreign car in the local market.

3rd generation (KJ), 2001–2007

In 2001, there was a change in generations of the model. True, in the USA and Canada the car was renamed to, but outside of North America the name "Cherokee" was preserved. The car had a completely new design, the front suspension became independent, and springs appeared in the rear instead of springs. The three-door version disappeared from the lineup.

The Jeep Cherokee was equipped with a 147-horsepower 2.4 petrol engine and 2.5 or 2.8-liter VM Motori turbodiesels (141-163 hp). Such cars had a Command-Trac all-wheel drive transmission with hard-wired front-wheel drive. But the “flagship” version of the V6 3.7 (211 hp) had a more “advanced” Selec-Trac system - permanent all-wheel drive with a center differential.

The third generation "Cherokee" was officially supplied to the Russian market. The main plant that produced cars was located in the United States, in the state of Ohio, SUVs were also assembled in Egypt and Venezuela.

4th generation (KK), 2007–2012

The fourth generation SUV, which debuted in 2007, was created on a common platform with the model. The American market continued to use the name . The car received a new transmission: instead of a center differential, it had a multi-plate clutch that automatically connected the front wheels.

The Jeep Cherokee was equipped with a 2.8-liter VM Motori turbodiesel with a capacity of 177 hp. With. (after modernization - 200 hp) or a V6 3.7 gasoline engine that develops 205 forces. As an alternative to the six-speed manual gearbox, an "automatic" was offered: five-speed for the diesel version and four-speed for the petrol version.

Both modifications were officially offered on the Russian market. Prices for a diesel Cherokee started at 1.6 million rubles, for petrol - from 1.5 million rubles.

Jeep Cherokee production continued until 2012. The main enterprise was located in the US state of Ohio, but cars were also assembled in Egypt and Venezuela.

Jeep Cherokee engine table