Jeep Cherokee Limited 4.0 - Sold

Designs for the compact XJ Cherokee date back to 1978, when a team of engineers from American Motors (AMC) and Renault produced several sketches. The early sketches of the XJ Cherokee had a European influence, and most of the styling elements were designed by AMC engineers under the direction of Dick Teague, Vice President of Design.

The Vice President of Engineering at American Motors, Roy Lunn, designed the so-called „Quadra-Link“ suspension, which limited rollovers. François Castaing from Renault developed the drivetrain with a much smaller engine than usual for four-wheel drive vehicles and reduced the weight of the new model. The unconventional design improved the durability and off-road capability of the Cherokee XJ and eventually won over most critics - even those models with the early, underpowered GM engines. The design and market positioning of the XJ, along with the AMC Eagle, essentially heralded the vogue for crossover utility vehicles.

500 kilograms lighter, ten centimetres lower, 15 centimetres narrower and 53 centimetres shorter than its predecessor, the Cherokee XJ was a smaller but much more advanced version of the Cherokee SJ. And not only was fuel consumption significantly improved, but also maneuverability, ground clearance and approach, departure and rollover angles. Combined with its smaller profile, the XJ was significantly better than its predecessor both off-road and on-road.

Introduced for the 1984 model year, the XJ Cherokee was the first Jeep with a ladder-frame chassis integrated into a single monocoque unit, rather than the traditional separate body on a frame. The construction was rigid and robust, yet wonderfully light with around 3,200 welded seams. Uniframe also enabled outstanding performance with AMC's new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine.

After 13 years of production, the Cherokee received an updated exterior and interior design in 1997. Both the two- and four-door bodies remained in production and were given a steel tailgate instead of GRP, redesigned rear lights, additional plastic strips along the doors and a new front end with a more aerodynamic design. The interior was also modernized.

A stiffer body frame led to improvements in noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) measurements and new door seals ensured reduced wind noise at higher speeds.

The design of the Cherokee XJ has been called one of the greatest of all time. Popular Mechanics listed the XJ as one of the 25 greatest boxy cars ever.

XJ production ended in June 2001 and the part of the Toledo South assembly plant that was intended for its production was demolished.