Review and test drive by Bill of Curious Cars. Vehicle for sale at Autohaus of Naples, on the web at http://www.AutohausNaples.com, or by phone at (239) 263-8500.
Excellent original article from 1984 on these SUVs from Car and Driver:
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...
The Jeep XJ is by far the most significant Cherokee, not only to Jeep, but to the car industry as a whole. It was the first new Jeep in 20 years, built by AMC and bolstered by their association with Renault, which was having some US success with the Alliance, if not the fuego.
Unlike every Jeep before, and unlike the Chevrolet S-10 Blazer and Ford Bronco II, it was unit body construction, with frame-like supports down the side, and with two solid axles - a tremendous plus for real off-roading, but with enough tweaking and technology to make it handle reasonably well and ride ok on pavement.
In 1984, this was still a new and unproven market. This Jeep, more than any other, helped to prove it. Unlike competitors, it was available in four doors. They marketed it as a sportwagon, and there’s a strong argument it helped to kill the traditional family wagon by making it not just more versatile, but “cool.” It was the first SUV to significantly eat into car sales, and then In 1991, the Ford Explorer came out, and cemented small SUVs as the hottest ticket for manufacturers. Now everything - everything - is a small SUV, the only rare exceptions being midsized and large SUVs.
It came with two engines in 1984, a new AMC 2.5 liter 4-cylinder that shared some architecture with their existing inline 6 - and was surprisingly good, or a Chevy 2.8 liter V6 that was adequate but in no way beloved. There was a 4 and 5 speed manual, and a 3-speed automatic. In 1987, The Cherokee would get the hallowed 4.0 liter inline 6, and this further sealed the XJ as one of the great all time vehicles.
The 2.5 AMC 4 was used from 1984 until 1996, and in this final incarnation had Chrysler fuel injection and 130hp. It would be much more appreciated if it didn’t live in the enormous shadow of the 4.0 I6. Car and Driver was surprised and enamored of the four in their 1984 test, expecting it to be an anemic, gasoline powered noise machines like the fours in the S-10 and Bronco II, and instead finding it responsive and charming, with some even preferring it to the Chevy 2.8. It had been heavily tested for durability by Renault, and was expected and proven to be far more heavy duty than car based four cylinder engines at the time.
The 4WD system was better than most buyers deserved. The solid axles were confident in terrain with excellent ground clearance, angle of attack, and articulation. There were also 2 available systems - Command-Trac and Selec-Trac, the former being for more traditional off-roading while the latter operated a bit like an early AWD system, and could be used at speed on the highway. They also made 2wd models to help entry price and encourage buyers who didn’t need it.
Along with everything else impressive about the XJ, the design absolutely nailed it. It remains fresh in a classic sense today, and many consider it to be the perfect SUV in shape and size. Despite shaving 31 inches and 1200 pounds off the SJ model it replaced, it retained 90% of the interior space. Easy room for 5, fold down or removable rear seating, lots of head space. Roof rack. Simple, angular design that’s all business while still looking clean and attractive - no wonder this SUV lured so many people away from cars, never to return.
I should hate this car. Really. It’s a big reason the Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser is dead and the Nissan Rogue is alive. It’s partially to blame for most lady drivers over 30 only finding joy in a vehicle that makes them look like wildlife photographers. It inspired the banality of the crossover, and did away with the family sedan and personal luxury coupe. It is almost singlehandedly responsible for the utter dreck inhabiting the roads today, so many of them soulless versions of this SUV with car-derived FWD and the off-pavement capability of a skateboard. It quite possibly also led to widespread acceptance of extreme sports and men unironically wearing $400 hiking shoes and designer lumberjack shirts into an air conditioned Starbucks.
And yet I can’t. Because it was the real deal. It did what it said it would, and did it well. It was simple, rugged, dependable, and unpretentious - unlike many of its buyers. It had rock solid engine and transmission choices, a capable suspension on and off road, and the eager faithfulness of a golden retriever. In the ridiculous state of affairs we live in today - where you can’t trust half the news you read, hear or watch - this XJ is still something to believe in... and that’s why it will always have a place amongst the most beloved and influential vehicles in automotive history.
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