1996 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4.0
Summary:
A real classic vehicle that was replaced by a vastly inferior model (Jeep Liberty)
Faults:
Something has been off with the transmission since purchased. Nobody has been able to figure it out. Keeps running, no biggie.
Overheats easily and often despite various attempts to help it out (new radiator and lines, modified air flow).
Bushings wore to nothing faster than other vehicles.
Engine bay heat cooked a couple small parts.
General Comments:
Endearingly piggish. Grunts and snorts and gulps down gas like a 1960's muscle car (slight exaggeration).
Despite having, for Jeep, substandard axles, the Cherokee is trusty and able off-road.
Quite uncomfortable on long trips and absurdly designed doorways (on 4-doors) make entry awkward -- and difficult for older/less-agile friends and family.
The truly classic engine has friggin' tons of torque -- very nice to feel all of that power laying in wait when crawling the Cherokee over rough terrain.
Poor stability: seems eager to slide on wet surfaces, potentially very dangerous on ice.
Nonetheless, the Cherokee can turn on a dime, and is very maneuverable at modest speeds.
I find it rather unattractive.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 15th March, 2012
17th Mar 2012, 13:31
That's your business.
It's dependent on the usage, but neither vehicle makes tolerable MPG for day-in, day-out commuting. But for rough use, the Cherokee XJ is going to outlast and outperform the Liberty. I don't have a 'horse in this race' since I am a Toyota fan, and I don't think the Liberty is a horrible rig, but it is not comparable to the XJ in durability under adverse conditions.
XJ:
Infinitely proven 4.0 I6
Aisin Auto Tranny (I would prefer a stick, but...) and STRAIGHT AXLE
KJ:
3.7 V6
Chrysler Tranny
IFS
Finally, a half-wit rear-ended my compact truck with a Liberty. My truck: crimped bed, ruined bumper. That's it. The Liberty: nothing left of the entire front clip. Engine destroyed. Driver hospitalized. Now, I've read that the 4.0 was discontinued because of crash safety standards (the 3.7 opens space for protective features), but I cannot imagine a Cherokee suffering that level of damage in a similar impact.
All of that said, I do like that the Liberty comes (came?) with a diesel option.
17th Mar 2012, 04:35
Having owned a number of Jeeps over the past 30 years, I strongly disagree that the Liberty is inferior to the Cherokee.