I think the most commonly known strengths of the cherokee is the off-road capabilities.Also the 4.0 litre is an excelent motor when it comes to durability and power.I have enjoyed my jeep greatly, let's put it this way my jeep has 194,000 miles on it and still off roads every weekend, and also get's dragraced at least twice a day.

the only problem that i have really had is the radio(terrible, what were they thinking!!). oh and also don't mean to bash the manufacturer but... your electrical system is about the worst out there.

I love all jeeps. I think they are excelent vehicles minus the rattles and road noise.The thing i like most is the feeling of safety, have you ever seen an accident involving a jeep, well usually the car that was struck by the jeep is folded and not goin anywhere, while the guy in the jeep hopps in starts it and goes home with some body damage. Over all the jeep is an awsome vehicle to say the least.oh i have had my jeep since it was brand new, it came off the lot with 13 miles on it, 4 of which were me test driving it.

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2000 S-10 4x4, Full size Blazer (k-5 4x4),All ford f-series 4x4's.oh and all the cute little CRV's. I have pulled all of the abouve out of mud pits ruts ect. The just can't touch the jeeps four wheel drive system, the jeep also has more ground clearance than most suv's and light trucks. A friend of mine as an S-10 4x4 very nice truck but!..even with the lift and the 235-75-15's he has the same amount of clearance as my stock mind you cherokee which only has 225-70-15's. JEEPS ARE THE BEST IN OFFROAD CAPABILITY, FACE IT!.

Lots of power.
Excellent passing on the highway.
Decent fuel economy on the highway.

The entire front end has not changed much from the original WWII design.
Track bar will need to be replaced every 6 months along with everything connected to it.
Very expensive to own and maintain.
Very unreliable.
Keep a fire extinguisher in your rig, because the electrical system is just slighty more advanced than the first electric vacumm cleaner.

The best place for a Jeep is in the showroom. They are as expensive and reiable as my ex girl friend - after you buy it. That thing has travelled across Canada pretty much on the back of a tow truck. If I had all the money I spent on repairs and maintenance, I could've bought a brand new Hummer. I had a better chance of talking directly to the president than I did of getting an ounce of support from Chrysler, because I didn't but it from a dealership. Anyways - I'd rather drive a LADA than that old lemon, at least I would be able to push it around a bit easier. No one should purchase this vehicle until the Jeep organization gets rid of their old WWII designers and engineers (unless you've got the patience of Jove, and you've got a $50,000 budget to keep it going from point A to point B).

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Flintstones car - more reliable and cheaper on gas and maintenance. Actually my brother went out and bought a 1998 Grand Cherokee. Looks really slick, but has the exact same archaic front end as mine.

AWESOME IN THE MUD, AND SNOW. CLEARANCE IS GREAT AND PRIVACY GLASS IS GOOD TOO.I LOVE THIS THING

A LITTLE NOISY ON THE HIGHWAY, I THINK IT COMES FROM THE ROOF RACK,STEERING WHEEL SQEAKS A BIT IN THE COLD,AND THE BRAKES TAKE SOME GETTING USED TO ALSO. OTHER THAN THAT IT HAS BEEN GOOD TO ME

I USED TO DRIVE SAABS I HAD AN SPG AND A 81 900-S,BOTH WERE GOOD IN THE SNOW,BUT NOT AS GOOD AS THIS JEEP, THIS THING CAN GO THROUGH ANYTHING. THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM IS HARDCORE AND THE WHOLE VEHICLE IS JUST VERY RUGGED GOOD FOR THE CAMPING TYPE. I LOVE THE ROOF RACK TOO MY 15 FOOT CANOE FITS PERFECT ON IT, AGAIN THIS VEHICLE KICKS BUTT.

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CHEVY S-10

Bought the car new in 1995. Strengths are its short wheel base, 4wd system, off-road ability, turning circle, reliability, simplicity, classic styling that has left most Asian competitors looking aged, CD Six stacker/stereo. Customer support. The car is superb off road and very good on-road.

THe 4WD system deserves special mention. DO NOT TRUST the auto sensing 4WD viscous systems in other 4WDs. You need to put the transfer case on the correct setting BEFORE you encounter bad $hit! There is nothing better than human judgement to get you out of trouble. This auto shifting crap found on other 4WDs is put there because people don't realise how to use their 4WD system in the first place. E-z. Read your owner's/driver's manual.

Also, the vehicle is not as large, long or wide as other 4WDs with the advantage of having increased agility (approach and departure angles), the paint does not get scratched from tree branches surrounding tight trails.

Clearance: water crossings are not a problem, and very deep sand ruts are also no problem. The car once sat on its belly and snaked over the ruts in full time 4WD!

Last but not least, this 4.0 Liter 6cyl beast is a POWERFULL mother! Stump pulling power, and rapid acceleration on tap.

Shock absorbers are crap. The brochure listed Bilsteins as being stock on the vehicle, but they are not always (were not on mine). Shocks were too compliant and you notice this when you hit friggin' corrugated roads. Very very ugly ride. I have since gone to firmer gas charged Bilsteins - no more exaggerated sag when you load the back of the car. The on-road performance is not as soft now, but off-road is magnificent. There is always a trade off!

The A/C unit of the 95 model was and still is absolute rubbish. When it works well, hell will freeze. The compressor and TX valve failed in the third week of taking it out of the showroom. Unfortunately at the time, we were driving through the Nullabor Plain (at 46 degrees C desert region) towards Perth. It was fixed coming back and the car's interior was pack ice. There was a gas leak originally and the dealer located this with fluorescent paint. I had the A/C compressor changed recently (prior to failure) - bloody expensive.

On the subject of A/C, the Normal or Bi-Level setting does not adequately filter out pollution from the traffic in front. Need to keep it on MAX when driving in the city.

Goodyear Tires (Wrangler 225/75 R15) cannot withstand punishment on gravel roads, difficult to rip the beads off the rim. Ideal on sand. Need to carry spares when on trails and off the beaten track.

Brakes SUCK! It probably isn't too different to bringing an 18 wheeler to a halt. This truly is lousy because engine braking on the auto transmission isn't its best feature.

On the topic of engine braking, who the hell decided to put 1st and 2nd gear on the same setting on the auto T-bar? This is an act of lunacy. At low speeds, you need to be precise on gear selection, particularly during steep/loose surface decents. To get around this silly problem, you have to use the transfer case. Slip the T-bar into neutral and pull the lever to 4-LO.

My stock Cherokee has been through most of the major deserts in Australia and has endured conditions that most Landcruisers (4 Runners in the US), and Discoveries have never seen as stock vehicles.

I am giving a balanced account above, and I hope this helps people make an informed decision. As with any 4WDs, buying it used is asking for trouble. Buy it new, so you get no surprises later.

I love my car for its reliability and if I had to buy another car tomorrow, it would either be an update, or something crude like a Toyota Landcruiser Troopy (diesel), or a Defender (Land Rover) TD5. In the bush, you need simplicity and reliability.

If you are after an SUV for an urban environment, then you ought to look for something else, like sissy vehicles such as the Freelander, CRV, RAV4, Sportage etc. But should you ever want to do serious off-road work with these "machines", you just won't be able to. Any attempts to do moderate 4WD work will result in expensive maintenance - they are just not cut out for it, for crying out LOUD.

If you want to go off road, you will have lots of stories to tell by the time you have traded in this incredibly classic and highly capable Jeep.

You get lots of bang for your buck. The weaknesses above can be lived with, and the A/C unit has been updated with the brakes in subsequent models.

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Japanese SUVs - ISUZU, Nissan, Honda, Kia etc

Sorry, there is no basis for comparison. THe Cherokee outperforms these crappy gimmicky cars and the reliability is also not comparable.

The CHerokee will even outperform the Merc and BMW 4WD in off road conditions - very easily.

THe Jap crap also ages quickly in looks, and parts start costing you a motza.

Durability, strength, mixed use capabilities, true 4x4 experience when needed. 4.0L 6 cylinder engine. Low price - high value.

Back seat for adults, lack of wide range of factory provided suspension and drive train options. For some people, ride is not considered "smooth".

Best value in a fully capable 4x4 utility vehicle, on and off road. Rugged, reliable, and user friendly. Maybe not as many luxury items as others in its class, but has enough options to satisfy most folks. Engine is virtually bulletproof, will last easily 150,000 miles and more with basic maintenance. So-called dated looks are in the eye of the beholder. Will handle every day chores very well, and really has the capability to excel off pavement. Definitely for the person who needs versatility, and thousands less than its competition. Own and continue to operate four models over the past 14 years. No other utility vehicle comes close to providing these capabilities at this price.

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None

4.0 Litre inline 6 is a powerhouse, use frequently to pull a Sea-Doo and I can't even tell that I'm pulling something. Like the classic "boxy" styling. Really quite reasonable gas mileage, get 21 mpg on regular basis. Heats up quickly in the winter and the heater just about throws flames. Got the optional select-trac transmission which includes full-size spare. Would recommend that to everyone. CANT get stuck in the snow, it's not possible. I have tried, on purpose, to get stuck have not succeeded yet.

Has a rough ride and quite a bit of wind noise at highway speeds very typical of trucks and obviously I wouldn't have bought the Jeep if I wanted something with a smooth ride. Speakers for stereo aren't the best. Simple solution, upgrade with a bazooka bass tube for $150 and the stereo sounds better than any factory system made.

If you are looking for a small sport utility that isn't a "cute ute" then Jeep Cherokee would be an excellent choice. Don't buy if you actually plan on using the rear seat on a regular basis. However if you are looking for a vehicle that you can use to pull a trailer and live where it snows you can't beat the Jeep. I plan on upgrading to a Grand Cherokee once kids come into the picture, until then the Cherokee fulfills all of my needs.

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Ford Explorer-Jeep is much more nimble and responsive.
Jeep Grand Cherokee-has a more car-like ride, liked it quite well but wasn't ready to fork out 35,000 for the Grand with same options as my Classic.

Power. With a brush guard and some kc lights looks like a tank. You can't stop it in any conditions. You can't spin the tires in 4wheel if you are in 1 foot of mud-I tried!

Road noise and cornering. Does not handle good, but that's compared to my '93 ranger and my 58 plymouth! Better 4wheel than my old BroncoII.

This is an awesome rig. Best 4wheel power and traction I have ever driven. My parent's 87 has 198,000miles and still has just as much power as if it were new and runs perfectly. Only part replacement was an alternator. Buy this vehicle if you are in the market for offroading, or family safety. I also get 22mpg stock. Some new exhaust and intake can get you up over 26 easily.

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I went Offroading with my friends. I followed a Tacoma, Ranger and a 4runner. All were raised and had huge tires made for offroading. I made it over and through every obstacle just as well if not better that all of them.

-Accleration and pickup.
-MPG (the gas isn't that bad at all like it was supposed to be!)
-noise level isn't high
-steering is great
-goes like a truck right through the snow in 2WD and 4WD
-sound system
-everything!!

Nothing at all!

Everything! My dad has the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with a V8 engine, and my '01 cherokee sport with the v6 engine doens't fall far behind....it has great acceleration and pickup, the mpg isn't even that bad, the noise level is very low unlike the reviews I have heard, the quality of the car is great...even though I have had it for less than 1 week, so far it has been the best vehicle I have owned to date :) I pay $330/month for it which is a great lease price, and that is for the 2001 Cherokee Sport. It has power everything except for the seats, top of the line sound system, automatic, and all the other stuff! I am overly happy with this baby.

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1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited, which has a few problems but is a bit better. 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitira which is a piece of junk but fun to drive because of how small it is.

It has great pickup. Looks great. Would buy another one in a second. The acceleration is extraordinary. The paintwork is great. Interior is holding up great. Very good cruise control. Turns on a dime, parking is a breeze. The keyless entry system works really well. I absolutely LOVE its timeless appearance. My whole family likes to borrow it. Four wheel drive capabilities are really really great!

The cup holders are in a weird place. I wish the window controls were lighted. Could have a little more room in the back but it is exceptable. The area where the rear speakers are don't allow for the greatest sound. Rear window switch has a problem but is nothing to complain about.

I would recomend this vehicle to anyone and everyone. It looks great, is affordable, and has great pickup. I love the fact that you can get it loaded or fairly stripped down. I was really dissapointed when I heard about the release of the Liberty. I wish they wouldn't kill the great Cherokee. Everything seems to be keeping up well in it. It is a true Jeep and is really really fun to drive. This is the most fun vehicle I have ever driven!! If you are in the market for a smaller SUV this is definitely the way to go. You see thousands of these things on the road everyday. This is great for anyone who wants an SUV. But don't expect a ton of room or one of those SUV's that is like a luxury car with four wheel drive.

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95 Explorer-alright it felt like an oversized station wagon, the Jeep is a real SUV
01 Grand Cherokee-great styling, great interior

I like the control of the small frame, it steers well. You feel like your driving a car more than an SUV (a little more bumpy perhaps)but the 4WD is terrific in the snow. You sit high enough to feel competetive on the road but not so big that you're afraid to park in a crowded mall. Plenty of room in the back for groceries, etc.

A little noisy, but for the price...can live with it.
Small back seats, but my kids have never complained about it being uncomfortable.
AC had to be repaired after 2 years, 50 bucks. (leak)

Don't expect a luxury ride and a roomy back seat. Perfect for mom and the kids. Dependable, sporty and easy to drive. If you are intimidated by SUV's, this one will change your mind.

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GMC Jimmy (94) The Jimmy has more room of course, but the jeep is just more fun to drive. Also had an 85 Suzuki Samurai, Ick, not even close.