Last of the Cherokees retains timeless appeal

[a007apl]

Sometime in midyear, the last Jeep Cherokee will roll off the assembly line, and a classic sport utility vehicle - a direct descendant of the original Jeep - will be gone.


2001 Auto Show



The Jeep Cherokee will drive off into the sunset after this model year.



MILWAUKEE AUTO SHOW

Dates: February 24 through March 4
Location: Midwest Express Center‚400 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Phone: (414) 908-6000

HOURS
Monday - Thursday: 3 to 9 p.m.
Friday: 1 to 10 p.m.
Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sundays: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

ADMISSION
Adults (13 & older): $7
Senior Citizens (62 & older): $4
Children (7 to 12): $4
Children (6 & younger): Free

• Section: 2001 Auto Show



Savvy dealers and aficionados are suddenly trying to get their hands on this last model year Cherokee.

These buyers know the 2001 Cherokee is one of a dwindling breed, a sport ute that's unabashedly a rugged SUV.

Its ride isn't car-like, its look isn't that of some trendy hybrid wagon, and it still offers a part-time four-wheel-drive system that a driver shifts manually to activate.

In other words, if you don't want a real SUV, don't look here.

The test Jeep Cherokee was an upscale four-door Limited model whose looks didn't give away that the Cherokee, as a model, is in its 18th year on the market. I can't think of many other vehicles whose styling stands up so well over time.

Buyers often remark that they became interested in the Cherokee because of its looks.

I also liked the good visibility when I sat inside the Cherokee. Pillars around the windows aren't the same thick type found on more recent vehicles.

I also noted the old-style Cherokee didn't fare as well in federal government frontal and side crash tests as did competitors like the 2001 Honda CR-V and 2001 Ford Explorer.

The Cherokee doesn't offer side air bags, and anti-lock brakes are a pricey $600 option. In addition, none of the back seat riders has a head restraint.

In years past, the Cherokee offered a choice of four- and six-cylinder engines. But in 2001, all Cherokees come with Jeep's 190-horsepower, 4-liter, overhead valve, PowerTech, in-line six-cylinder.

Mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, it got the test Cherokee moving quickly. I merged into city traffic and onto highways with ease and even had to tap the brake a bit to keep from overtaking other vehicles downtown.

Torque is a maximum 225 foot-pounds at 3,000 rpm, and it was impressive on an off-road, four-wheel-drive jaunt, getting the Cherokee up, over and through slick, varied terrain. There was some engine noise, especially when the Cherokee was accelerating strongly.

The Cherokee isn't exactly fuel-efficient. The 4WD models with automatic transmission are rated at 15 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. I averaged a mere 15.9 mpg in combined city/highway travel during the test drive of this compact SUV.

Newer compact sport utes do better in fuel usage. The 2001 Escape with a 3-liter V-6 is rated at 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

Sitting inside the test Cherokee was pleasant, even on bitter cold days, since the heater worked quickly and so did the optional heated front seats.

The Cherokee interior is straight forward with easy-to-understand controls. The upgraded stereo included the traditional small joystick control for adjusting sound among the front, rear, left and right speakers.

I noted that despite the age of the Cherokee, the interior was nicely updated. Mostly flat door panels and the short protruding dashboard are the only major throwbacks to earlier SUVs.

Back-seat riders get a good view, thanks to a higher seat position than front-seat riders have.

Rear-door openings are noticeably small, especially in the doorway floor area where feet must slide out.

The rear wheel wells are so close to those doors, it was difficult for me not to brush my coat against the dirt and slush back there. Note that the Cherokee's 101.4-inch wheelbase is smaller than that of the Ford Explorer, Honda CR-V and Ford Escape.

Watch, too, for the raised sill - about 4 inches high - that you step over as you get inside the Cherokee.

Front legroom of 41.4 inches is competitive, but the CR-V and Escape offer more rear legroom. They are taller vehicles, too, and so have more front- and rear-seat headroom than does the Cherokee.

The Cherokee cargo area offers a maximum 66 cubic feet of space, which compares with 63.3 cubic feet in the Escape and 67.2 in the CR-V. But the Cherokee also carries its spare tire inside the cargo area, over to one side, next to the window.

The ride has a rugged feel, sending road bumps and vibrations through to riders.

Unfortunately, the test Cherokee also developed a couple of annoying squeaks in the dashboard after hitting big road bumps.

Cherokee sales peaked at 165,261 in calendar 1999. They fell to 141,457 last year.

More than half the buyers are men with median household income of $59,000, DaimlerChrysler said. Median age is 41, and 65% are married. Just under half are college graduates.

Much of the appeal of the Cherokee over the years has been its low starting price. In 2001, the base Cherokee 2-Door 2WD with manual transmission has a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price plus destination charge of $19,955.



Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Feb. 25, 2001

[clay milleson]

I own one of the last 2001's cherokee limited. It is a beautiful vehicle, runs and handles great.Looking at a Liberty makes me want to puke.the cherokee's shoes are to big to fill with that poor excuse of a vehicle.

[Ttownscamper]

All I know is that I had to pull a Ford Escape up the grade on Imogene Pass near Telluride with my '99 Cherokee Sport.

[MagicRat]

Folks, this thread is so old it's ready to start shaving.
AF moderators encourage you to start new threads on an old subject like this, not resurrect those that are 3 1/2 years old.

[AlohaBra]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

Folks, this thread is so old it's ready to start shaving.
AF moderators encourage you to start new threads on an old subject like this, not resurrect those that are 3 1/2 years old.

Hey, I was in China last year (October) and they still make the Cherokee there....

I have pictures, but I don't know how to put them here.

[scrap_iron]

Originally Posted by AlohaBra

Hey, I was in China last year (October) and they still make the Cherokee there....

I have pictures, but I don't know how to put them here.

The same XJ is still made in China ? Is it being sold as a Jeep brand or they're being copied as a clone ?

[Mrjeep]

Here is some news on the china connection.

http://www.detnews.com/2005/insiders...tos-151749.htm

http://www.autointell-news.com/News-...r-19-01-p1.htm

http://www.beijing-jeep.com/eindex.html

[AlohaBra]

Originally Posted by scrap_iron

The same XJ is still made in China ? Is it being sold as a Jeep brand or they're being copied as a clone ?

I don't think it is the clone, which has no fender flares. This one seems to be Chrysler-China.

This one had the 2.5L diesel.

Click on the gallery button below to view some snaps of it that I took.

[scrap_iron]

Originally Posted by AlohaBra

I don't think it is the clone, which has no fender flares. This one seems to be Chrysler-China.

This one had the 2.5L diesel.

Click on the gallery button below to view some snaps of it that I took.

Good Pictures - So that's what's what it looks like. Same Classic Cherokee body. The front headlight and grill is more of a Grand Cherokee look, and the taillights look like they're taken from a Liberty, but definetely 95% Cherokee.