1997 Jeep Cherokee Rio Grande (US model) from North America - Comments

Have had two clutches, a new transmission put in so far. Have had many annoying problems such as the driver-side window not rolling up all the way or even roll down at all (very annoying where in NYC, every road seems to be a toll). Very poor electrics - radio always going dead, headlights that magically turn off at night and so on. It does have 15,000 hard-earned miles driving in Manhattan as a commercial vehicle, however.

This truck is exactly what it is: a truck. Even with the more "luxurious" redesign in 1997, it rides, handles, and acts like a truck.

It is, however, very poorly made (not just this Jeep, but many other people I know who have Cherokees and Grands also have similar problems), and the dealers, at least in the States, apathetic.

I like being able being up high and looking down upon the lunatic cab-drivers below, but my next vehiclel is definitely going to be Japanese (Mitsubishi Montero Sport).

I just have to chime in and say that I live in NJ and often travel to and drive in NYC. Going through a clutch in Manhattan in any type of vehicle is no major surprise, nor is going through a manual transmission if your shifting technique is not just right. So, I would not count the clutch problem as a strike against the vehicle given the circumstances you mentioned, regardless of what kind of vehicle it is. I very much like the Cherokees and intend to buy one in the near future. Thanks for the good honest review.

Two problems.

One: The Cherokee and the grand Cherokee are two COMPLETLY different vehicles made up of completely different parts (save the 4.0) in two completely different factories. Likening the two would be like likening a Mitsubishi Montero to a Kia sportage, very different vehicles.

Two: I’ve personally witnessed the incompetence of a Montero, sure 14 inches of heavy snow is enough to stick nearly anything that doesn’t have a lift kit. Yes even my Jeep, BUT in my Jeep I still have four wheel drive in reverse, I still have my locking axels, and I still have a “solid center”. All the things the Montero was built without.

Or more simply put the Montero (at lest the one I helped dig out)

1. Lost it’s four wheel drive in reverse, due to it’s “auto hubs” disengaging in reverse

2. Lacked locking axels in BOTH ends, therefore spinning the wheel with the least traction

3. Had an open center differential, (not posi, not locking, OPEN) which means in sent the power to the axial with the least amount of traction.

All in all one wheel stuck = vehicle stuck, so weather 14 inches of snow or one tire in one mud hole, This Montero would have been stuck.

I Liked the Montero before I saw this, I really did. But now I’ll just stick with Jeep.

With a few thousand dollars in off road gear I’m sure the Montero could be as competent as a BONE stock Jeep.