Free Printable Jeep Cherokee Coloring Page with PDF

Jeep Cherokee: History & Fun Facts

The Cherokee's trapezoidal wheel arches are the fastest way to pick it out of a lineup: a slanted, angular cutout instead of the smoothly rounded arch on a Grand Cherokee. That one styling choice, paired with a shorter body and a beltline that kicks upward at the back, keeps the two names visually distinct even though they share a badge. The roofline also sits noticeably lower than the Grand Cherokee's, giving the whole outline a leaner, more compact stance.

The XJ: Jeep's First Unibody SUV

The Cherokee name is most associated with the XJ generation, launched in 1984 as the first unibody SUV Jeep ever built, years before the Grand Cherokee adopted the same approach. That XJ Cherokee stayed in production for an unusually long 17 years, selling in the US through 2001 largely unchanged.

A Name Gap While Liberty Took Over

Jeep retired the Cherokee name in North America for 2002, replacing it with the Jeep Liberty while the Cherokee name continued to sell in export markets. The Cherokee name did not return to US showrooms until the all-new KL generation launched for the 2014 model year, a 13-year gap stateside.

The Debated 2014 Front Fascia

When the KL Cherokee arrived, its split headlight design, with narrow running lights stacked above the main headlamps, drew heavy criticism online for looking unlike any Jeep before it. Jeep revised the front fascia twice over the KL's production run, moving toward a more traditional single-headlight layout by the final model years.

A 9-Speed Automatic and a Tigershark Four-Cylinder

The KL Cherokee introduced Jeep's first 9-speed automatic transmission, paired with a standard 2.4-liter Tigershark four-cylinder engine or an optional 3.2-liter Pentastar V6. That drivetrain combination targeted better highway fuel economy than the boxier, heavier Wrangler and Grand Cherokee could offer.

Production Ended in 2023

Stellantis ended Cherokee production in February 2023, closing out nearly four decades of the nameplate in the US market without an immediate direct replacement, leaving the Compass and Grand Cherokee to cover the compact and mid-size SUV space. Enthusiasts still point to the original 1984 XJ as one of the most influential unibody SUV designs ever built, since rival automakers copied its formula for years afterward.

Trailhawk Trim and Active Drive Lock

The KL Cherokee offered a Trailhawk trim with Jeep's Active Drive Lock four-wheel-drive system, adding a locking rear differential and a low-range gear reduction not found on standard trims. That off-road hardware, paired with nearly 8.7 inches of ground clearance on Trailhawk models, let the Cherokee earn a genuine Trail Rated badge despite its smoother, more car-like unibody shape.

A Class-Above Towing Figure

Properly equipped V6 Cherokee models could tow up to 4,500 pounds, a figure that beat many rival compact and mid-size crossovers of the same era. That towing capacity, combined with the standard nine-speed automatic's tall overdrive gears, made the Cherokee a practical choice for owners hauling small trailers or campers on weekend trips. Reviewers at the time often called it one of the most capable tow ratings in the compact crossover class.