96-469: The Jeep Cherokee (XJ) is a sport utility vehicle manufactured and marketed across a single generation by Jeep in the United States from 1983 (model year 1984) through 2001 — and globally through 2014. It was available in two- or four-door, five-passenger, front-engine, rear- or four-wheel drive configurations. Sharing the name of the original, full-size Cherokee SJ model, the 1984 XJ Cherokee
192-465: A light truck chassis; however, broader definitions consider any vehicle with off-road design features to be an SUV. A crossover SUV is often defined as an SUV built with a unibody construction (as with passenger cars); however, the designations are increasingly blurred because of the capabilities of the vehicles, the labelling by marketers, and the electrification of new models. The predecessors to SUVs date back to military and low-volume models from
288-693: A 30% excise duty. In Australia, SUV sales were helped by having lower import duties than passenger cars. Up until January 2010, SUVs were subject to a 5% import tariff, compared with 10% for passenger cars. In February 2024, voters in Paris mandated a triple parking charge rate for SUVs, citing environmental impact and street capacity; this followed similar decisions in Lyon and Tübingen with similar ordinances being considered by London, Brussels and Amsterdam. Many years after most passenger cars had transitioned to unibody construction, most SUVs continued to use
384-539: A 4 L I6 cylinder version was available paired to a five-speed manual transmission. The BJ7250 uses the same 2.5 L engine as the BJ2021, but includes a five-speed manual gearbox instead of a speed-speed unit. The BJ2021 is 4290 millimeters in length, 1800 millimeters in width, and 1620 millimeters in height as well as using a 2580 millimeter wheelbase. The BJ7250, however, is 90 millimeters shorter in length, 40 millimeters shorter in width and 10 millimeters taller and
480-637: A Jeep's Selec-Terrain system). The Liberty was sold outside of North America as the Jeep Cherokee (KK), allowing the new Cherokee to be easily marketed globally. Jeep marketing used the Cherokee name to attract previous Jeep owners and build on the name's heritage. This new Cherokee was built in Toledo, Ohio and in Belvidere, Illinois. Sport utility vehicle A sport utility vehicle ( SUV )
576-532: A coil-sprung independent front suspension . The relatively compact Niva is considered a predecessor to the crossover SUV and combines a hatchback-like passenger car body with full-time four-wheel drive, low-range gearing, and lockable center differential. Nonetheless, unibody SUVs remained rare until the 1984 Jeep Cherokee (XJ) was introduced and became a sales success. The introduction of the 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee resulted in all Jeep SUV models using unibody construction, with many other brands following suit since
672-405: A common, rear-wheel drive vehicle, any 4WD (four-wheel drive) needed many essential extra components, including a transfer case , a second differential, and constant-velocity joints for the driven front axle—which were expensive due to the precision involved in this required manufacturing gears and other specialized parts. Before World War II, these were produced in the United States by only
768-409: A crash than regular cars and that SUV roofs were more likely to cave in on passengers than in other cars, resulting in increased harm to passengers. Between 1991 and 2001, the United States saw a 150% increase in sport-utility vehicle rollover deaths. In 2001, though roll-overs constituted just 3% of vehicle crashes overall, they caused over 30% of occupant fatalities in crashes; and in crashes where
864-483: A day, with electric cars reducing oil demand by under 100,000 barrels a day. Whereas SUVs can be electrified , or converted to run on a variety of alternative fuels , including hydrogen , their (manufacturing) emissions will always be larger than smaller electric cars. On average, SUVs consume about a quarter more energy than medium-size cars. Furthermore, the vast majority of these vehicles are not converted to use alternative fuels. Between 2010 and 2018 SUVs were
960-400: A few specialized firms with limited production capacity. Due to the increase in demand for parts for the war effort, in the spring of 1942 Ford , Dodge , and Chevrolet joined in fabricating these parts in mass quantities, boosting their production more than 100-fold. An early usage of the term was the 1947 Crosley CC Four Sport Utility model, which used a convertible wagon body style and
1056-621: A five-slot grille, along with six-lug wheels. Production ended in 2014. All Chinese specification Jeeps had a five-speed manual gearbox as standard. Chinese car manufacturer Shuanghuan Auto , who are known for their copy of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (J120) front end, BMW X5 (E53) rear end and BMW X3 side skirt designed car, the Shuanghuan SCEO , also made a copy of the Jeep Cherokee XJ known as
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#17327795415511152-510: A gas that is linked to global warming. According to the International Energy Agency , from 2010 SUVs have been the second-largest contributor to the increase in global CO 2 emissions, second only to the power sector. SUVs were responsible for all of the 3.3 million barrels a day growth in oil demand from passenger cars between 2010 and 2018, whereas efficiency improvements in smaller cars saved over 2 million barrels
1248-413: A leaf spring with a separate shock absorber rear suspension. The Quadra-Link front suspension design locates the axle with four leading control arms to control longitudinal movement and rotation about the lateral axis (drive and braking reaction), two above the axle and two below it. A panhard rod , also referred to as a track bar, is used to locate the axle laterally. Two coil springs are seated on top of
1344-892: A long-bodied version of a full-size SUV, which is called an "extended-length SUV" like the Ford Expedition EL and the Chevrolet Suburban . The additional length is used to provide extra space for rear passengers or cargo. As per the full-size SUVs they are based on, most extended-length SUVs are built on dedicated platforms, full-sized pickups ( 1⁄2 ton ), or heavy-duty pickups (3⁄4 ton or more). Extended-length SUVs are mostly sold in North America but may also be exported to other markets in small numbers. Some SUVs or crossovers with sloping rear rooflines are marketed as "coupe crossover SUVs" or "coupe SUVs", even though they have four side doors for passenger access to
1440-461: A separate body-on-frame method, due to being based on the chassis from a light truck , commercial vehicle , pickup truck , or off-road vehicle . The first mass-produced unibody four-wheel-drive passenger car was the Russian 1955 GAZ-M20 Pobeda M-72 , which could be considered the first crossover car. The 1977 Lada Niva was the first off-road vehicle to use both a unibody construction and
1536-462: A slightly different grille and a smaller "Jeep" emblem offset to the driver's side. The single rectangular sealed beam headlamps were changed for 1986 to vertically stacked quad low and high beam headlights with front turn signal lights relocated behind the grille. Where the Cherokee tail lights were split in half with a red section above an amber section, the tail lights on Wagoneers had a single red lens. The Wagoneer Limited came with vinyl wood trim on
1632-462: A study by the U.S.-based IIHS found that, of a sample of 79 crashes from three urban areas in Michigan, SUVs caused more serious injuries compared to cars when impacts occurred at greater than 31 km/h (19 mph). The IIHS noted the sample size of the study was small and that more research is needed. The popularity of SUVs contributed to an increase in pedestrian fatalities in the U.S. during
1728-507: A truck in others. For industry production statistics, SUVs are counted in the light truck product segment. In India, all SUVs are classified in the "Utility Vehicle" category per the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) definitions and carry a 27% excise tax. Those that are 4 metres (13 feet) long, have a 1,500 cc (92 cu in) engine or larger, along with 170 mm (6.7 in) of ground clearance, are subject to
1824-496: Is 5 millimeters shorter in wheelbase Production under Mercedes-Benz continued in the partnership that was renamed Beijing-Benz DaimlerChrysler Automotive . The most recent model with an updated grille, headlights, and other upgrades was known as the Jeep 2500 and was produced until 2005. It is notable that AMC's original Cherokee design continued to be built and sold after being virtually unchanged for over twenty years. The design of
1920-437: Is a car classification that combines elements of road-going passenger cars with features from off-road vehicles , such as raised ground clearance and four-wheel drive . There is no commonly agreed-upon definition of an SUV, and usage of the term varies between countries. Thus, it is "a loose term that traditionally covers a broad range of vehicles with four-wheel drive." Some definitions claim that an SUV must be built on
2016-534: Is a consultant to many organisations and companies including the car warranty company Warrantywise. Willson is also a former consultant to BP , BSI (British Safety Institute) and Castrol Oil in 2008–10. He is also a regular face on the conference and after dinner speaking circuit. Willson has been at the forefront of raising awareness about the dangers of buying stolen cars, fronting the 'Real or Rogue' campaign in March 2009. He also appears in promotional videos on
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#17327795415512112-565: Is also better, as is ground clearance, as well as approach, departure and breakover angles. These, along with its smaller profile, make the XJ better both off-road and on." Although the XJ models had just been introduced, AMC quickly began the development of its successor. To compete against its much larger rivals, the smallest U.S. automaker created a business process that is now known as " product lifecycle management " (PLM) to speed up its product development process. By 1985, development and engineering
2208-415: Is also suggested that the term "SUV" has replaced "jeep" as a general term for off-road vehicles. American dictionary definitions for SUVs include: In British English, the terms "4x4" (pronounced "four-by-four"), "jeep", four wheel drive, or "off-road vehicle" are generally used instead of "sport utility vehicle". The sardonic term "Chelsea tractor" is also commonly used, due to the perceived popularity of
2304-904: Is generally used for road-oriented vehicles, described as "J-segment" by the European Commission . "Four-by-four" or the brand name of the vehicle is typically used for off-road-oriented vehicles. Similarly, in New Zealand, vehicles designed for off-road use are typically referred to as "four-wheel drives" instead of SUVs. In the United States, many government regulations simply have categories for "off-highway vehicles" which are loosely defined and often result in SUVs (along with pick-up trucks and minivans ) being classified as light trucks . For example, corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) regulations previously included "permit greater cargo-carrying capacity than passenger carrying volume" in
2400-440: Is less than a quarter of what it was for 2004 models. With ESC dramatically reducing rollover risk, the inherent advantages offered by SUVs' greater size, weight, and height emerge more clearly. Today's SUVs have the lowest driver death rate of any vehicle type." The high danger for cyclists and pedestrians of being seriously injured or even killed by SUV drivers has caused some public protests against SUVs in urban areas. In 2020,
2496-422: Is sometimes defined as a crossover being built using a unibody platform (the type used by most passenger cars), while an SUV is built using a body-on-frame platform (the type used by off-road vehicles and light trucks). However, these definitions are often blurred in practice, since unibody vehicles are also often referred to as SUVs. Also, crossover is a relatively recent term and early unibody SUVs (such as
2592-590: Is therefore unrelated to the design of later SUVs. Several models of carryall wagons began to be offered with four-wheel drive, beginning in 1949 when the Willys Jeep Station Wagon introduced the option of four-wheel drive. Four-wheel-drive versions of the Chevrolet Suburban were introduced for 1955, followed by the International Harvester Travelall in 1956 (credited as being the first full-size SUV) and
2688-630: The Britain's Worst Driver format. A raft of similar shows followed, including Britain's Worst DIYer , "Worst Farmer", Worst Mother in Law , Worst Husband , Worst Teenager , Worst Builder , Worst Zookeeper , and Worst FIFA 2002 Player . After Willson's appearances on Britain’s Worst series, comedian Harry Hill dressed up as him and announced: "I used to be on Top Gear, now I’m on Channel 5. Welcome to Britain’s Worst Career Move". Willson stopped presenting Fifth Gear in 2005. Willson also participated in
2784-532: The Chinese market Jeeps was similar to that of the U.S.-market Jeeps , except for a new front grille and headlamps , as well as new tail lamps . The interior also featured a new steering wheel and center console . The BJ2500 , produced by Beijing Jeep was available with the 2.4 L 4G64 engine from Mitsubishi, 2.5 L and 2.7 L engines known as C498QA. Pricing ranged from 115,000 and 127,900 yuan (16,600 to US$ 18,470) for 2.5 L models and
2880-519: The Jeep Liberty (KJ) , which was branded as a "Cherokee" to ride off the success of the XJ in most foreign markets. The Cherokee (XJ) remains a popular vehicle among off-roading enthusiasts. Its design has been noted as one of the greatest of all time. Popular Mechanics listed the XJ as one of "the 25 greatest boxy cars of all time". When (XJ) Cherokee production ended in June 2001, the portion of
2976-473: The People's Republic of China to assemble the four-door Cherokee. Production continued after Chrysler's buyout of AMC. The Chinese market BJ 7250 (rear-wheel drive) and BJ 2021 (four-wheel drive) had a raised roof in the rear, as they were often meant to be chauffeur-driven. The BJ2021 was available with a 2.5 L engine and a four-speed manual gearbox for the 1985 through 2005 model years. For 1993,
Jeep Cherokee (XJ) - Misplaced Pages Continue
3072-563: The Power Wagon Town Wagon in 1957. Quentin Willson Quentin Willson (born 23 July 1957) is an English television presenter and producer, motoring journalist, author and former car dealer. He was a presenter of the motoring programmes Britain's Worst Driver , Fifth Gear , and the original incarnation of Top Gear . Willson, a twin, is the son of Professor Bernard Willson , latterly
3168-498: The 1984 Jeep Cherokee) are rarely called crossovers. Due to these inconsistencies, the term SUV is often used as a catch-all for both crossovers and SUVs. Outside of the United States, the term crossover tends to be used for C-segment ( compact ) or smaller vehicles, with large unibody vehicles—such as the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class , BMW X7 , and Range Rover —usually referred to as SUVs rather than crossovers. In
3264-401: The 1990s and early 2000s was partly due to buyers perceiving that SUVs provide greater safety for occupants, due to their larger size and raised ride height. Regarding the safety of other road users, SUVs are exempted from U.S. regulation stating that a passenger car bumper must protect the area between 16 and 20 inches (41 and 51 cm) above the ground. This often increases the damage to
3360-444: The 2000 and 2001 model years, all six-cylinder XJs received a distributor-less ignition system using coil-on-plug ignition and wasted spark , replacing the distributor-type system previously used. Coupled with better exhaust porting and the newer intake manifolds, the coil-on-plug gave a minor increase in power and improved emissions performance over the previous models. Transmission, axle, and transfer case choices were carried over from
3456-559: The 2010s, alongside other factors such as distracted and drunk driving. A 2021 study by the University of Illinois Springfield showed that SUVs are 8 times more likely to kill children in a collision than passenger cars, and multiple times more lethal to adult pedestrians and cyclists. SUVs generally have poorer fuel efficiency than smaller cars, and thus contribute more to environmental degradation and global warming . SUVs emit about 700 megatonnes of carbon dioxide per year,
3552-475: The 4.0 L (242 cu in) inline six-cylinder engine. The 2.3 L (140 cu in) four-cylinder engine did not arrive in Europe until 1995. In mid-1985, a two-wheel-drive version of the Cherokee was added to the lineup. This marked the first time any Jeep product was offered with two-wheel drive since 1967, and was done to attract buyers who did not need (or want to pay for) four-wheel drive. When
3648-509: The Cherokee that competed in the Dakar Rally did wear Renault badges. A van version of the XJ was offered in addition to the standard passenger vehicles in some European markets. Available in both right- and left-hand-drive models, they were designed to comply with relaxed motor tax regulations in some EU member states governing vehicles intended for primarily commercial use. Both two- and four-door versions are known to have been sold, with
3744-713: The Dean of the Faculty of Arts at University of Leicester , who was the first code breaker at Bletchley Park to decode the Italian Navy Hagelin C-36 code machine. Willson joined the BBC in 1991 to co-host the original version of Top Gear with Jeremy Clarkson . Until the original format's cancellation in 2001, he appeared every week on the programme, typically as an expert on used cars. Willson later presented his own produced classic car series The Car's
3840-618: The Highway Code. He also regularly featured on the ITV breakfast show Daybreak , when there were motoring related features. In 2015, Willson returned to Channel 5 to host The Classic Car Show . In the 1990s, both in print and on television, Willson highlighted the artificially higher prices of new cars in the UK compared to Europe, campaigning for price parity for UK buyers. He is widely credited for drawing attention to uncompetitive pricing by
3936-755: The Road Haulage Association. Its previous funders have included the RAC, the Association of Pallet Networks and UKLPG, among others. In September 2021 Willson resigned from Fair Fuel UK because he was “unhappy with the direction the lobby group was going and their lack of environmental sensibilities”. In 2004, Willson was awarded Motoring Writer of the Year. He writes regularly for The Sunday Mirror and has also written ten books. Quentin Willson
Jeep Cherokee (XJ) - Misplaced Pages Continue
4032-622: The Shuanghuan SHZJ213. The BJ212 platform was used. The SHZJ213 used a 2.4 L BAW 492 engine paired to a five-speed manual gearbox. Production ran from 1994 until 1997. The XJ was manufactured in Toledo, Ohio , USA; Beijing , China ; Ferreyra , Argentina ; Cairo , Egypt ; and in Valencia, Venezuela , with production reaching approximately 3 million between 1983 and 2001. On February 22, 2013, Chrysler released press photos of
4128-552: The Star , along with the first property show to talk about money, All The Right Moves , both for the BBC. After Top Gear's cancellation, he left the BBC to present Channel 5 's rival motoring programme, Fifth Gear . When Top Gear was relaunched, Willson said of Clarkson that "It's a compliment that the BBC are so afraid of losing ratings to us, they've lured my old co-host out of semi-retirement." While at Channel 5, Willson created
4224-655: The Toledo South Assembly Plant devoted to its production was torn down. By 1997, the XJ Cherokee became popular in police and government fleets. Production of the Cherokee Special Service Package continued for the 1997 model year into the 2001 model year. It had the same features as the 1996 Cherokee Special Service Package, but the engine now produced 195 hp (145 kW). After the XJ Cherokee production ended in
4320-451: The U.S. for use by rural mail carriers. After 13 years of production, 1997 saw the Cherokee receive updated exterior and interior styling. Both the two- and four-door bodies remained in production, receiving a steel liftgate (replacing the fiberglass one used previously), restyled taillights, additional plastic molding along the doors, as well as a new front header panel that featured more aerodynamic styling. The spare tire remained mounted to
4416-584: The United Kingdom, a crossover is sometimes defined as a hatchback model with raised ride height and SUV-like styling features. The smallest size class of SUVs is the "mini SUV". In Japan, SUVs under 3,400 mm (133.9 in)—such as the Mitsubishi Pajero Mini —are included in the kei car category and therefore attract lower taxes. Many recent vehicles labeled as mini SUVs are technically subcompact crossovers and are built on
4512-652: The United States, the Jeep Liberty replacement did not offer a Special Service Package. Although Jeep Liberty did not have a special service package, police and government agencies used the Liberty in their fleets for light use. All the transfer cases used on the Cherokee were chain-driven two-speed units with aluminum housings. Command-Trac was standard on XJ models built with 4WD. The Jeep XJ utilizes front and rear beam axle components (live axles) as opposed to an independent suspension . The live axle configuration offers advantages in off-road capability and performance at
4608-399: The XJ Cherokee were offered throughout its lifetime, each having the same track and wheelbase measurements. Two-door models, however, received longer doors and front seats that could fold forward to assist in rear passenger entry and exit. This was in addition to extended-length rear windows that did not open, although an optional rear vent window was available on some models. This version was
4704-565: The XJ Cherokee-based Comanche (MJ) pickup truck was introduced, it was also available in two- and four-wheel drive. The new two-wheel-drive models shared the front suspension (from the track bar, control arms, and ball joints) with four-wheel-drive models. Jeep simply used a single axle tube from hub to hub with no differential between, resulting in an inexpensive front suspension. For 1996, partially to comply with new U.S. OBD-II exhaust and evaporative emissions regulations,
4800-487: The XJ a "significant link in the evolution of the 4x4." In 2011 Kiplinger magazine selected the XJ as one of the "cars that refuse to die." Automotive journalist Robert Cumberford , writing for Automobile , called the Jeep XJ one of the 20 greatest cars of all time — for its design, and "possibly the best SUV shape of all time, it is the paradigmatic model to which other designers have since aspired." Designs of
4896-567: The XJ's discontinuation in 2001, at which point it was replaced by the Jeep Cherokee (KJ) which retained the Cherokee name for sale in Europe despite sharing little mechanical heritage with its predecessor. The Cherokee was often sold in Europe as part of Renault's lineup and was occasionally referred to as the Renault Jeep Cherokee in marketing, although it was never sold with Renault badges. However, motorsports versions of
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#17327795415514992-540: The XJ, along with the AMC Eagle essentially "foreshadowed the car-based crossover utility-vehicle fad." "The new XJ Jeep ... was 1,200 pounds lighter, 31 inches shorter, six inches narrower and four inches lower than the Cherokee SJ it replaced, and yet — thanks to unibody construction — the XJ kept 90 percent of its predecessor’s interior volume." And, not only was fuel economy much improved, but "articulation
5088-522: The ZJ models were introduced in 1993, the XJ models were retained until 2001. The Jeep XJ has remained a popular choice by off-roading enthusiasts due to its potent off-roading capability in stock form. Its popularity has resulted in strong ongoing aftermarket support in the form of a wide variety of products. A variation on the Cherokee from 1983 until 1990 was the Jeep Wagoneer. These were unrelated to
5184-405: The axle housing as well as two gas-charged shock absorbers. The suspension used on vehicles with the optional UpCountry package provided one inch of lift over the standard suspension. A sway bar is utilized to reduce body roll in turns. The XJ uses a leaf spring rear suspension. Each leaf pack contains four leaf springs with a fixed eye at the front of the spring and a compression-style shackle at
5280-496: The car makers which prompted the European Commission to take action and use block exemption regulations to force the industry to reduce UK list prices on new passenger cars. From early 2011 until 2021, Willson was the national spokesman for FairFuelUK campaigning for lower government fuel duty. From March 2011, Willson and the FairFuelUK Team successfully pressured the UK government to defer 11p of duty rises , reducing
5376-414: The compact-size XJ Cherokee date back to 1978 when a team of American Motors (AMC) and Renault engineers drew several sketches. Clay models were based on the then-current full-size SJ Cherokee . Early sketches of the XJ Cherokee had a European influence, and most of the styling cues were done by AMC engineers under the direction of Dick Teague , vice president of design. Noticing that General Motors
5472-740: The definition for trucks, resulting in cars with removable rear seats, like the PT Cruiser, being classified as light trucks. This classification as trucks allowed SUVs to be regulated less strictly than passenger cars under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act for fuel economy, and the Clean Air Act for emissions. However, from 2004 onwards, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began to hold sport utility vehicles to
5568-486: The design cannibalizing sales from regular cars, supplanting the role of the station wagon and transforming the vehicle type "from truck to limousine in the eyes of countless suburban owners," though GM had also launched road-biased, RWD and 4WD compact SUVs, the Chevrolet S-10 Blazer and GMC S-15 Jimmy, one year earlier, initially available in two-door form only. The 2007 book Jeep Off-Road called
5664-478: The design of modern SUVs was the 1940 Humber Heavy Utility , a four-wheel-drive off-road vehicle built on the chassis of the Humber Super Snipe passenger car. The most prohibitive initial factors to the potential civilian popularity of an SUV-like car were their cost and the availability of certain critical parts. Before the war, adding four-wheel drive to a car almost doubled its cost. Compared to
5760-539: The engine management system was upgraded to Chrysler's then-new "JTEC" PCM. This added the side benefits of improving reliability and easing diagnostics. American Motors' compact XJ Cherokee was to be replaced by a new and larger model known as the ZJ (later named the Jeep Grand Cherokee when introduced in 1993) that was under development by AMC. However, the smaller model's continuing popularity caused Chrysler executives to rethink this decision, and while
5856-409: The expense of some on-road comfort and driveability. Mid-1985 and later two-wheel drive models used the same suspension and steering mechanisms with a single tube connecting axle ends, which also meant no transfer case, no front driveshaft, and no front differential. Jeep XJs came in several standard gearing ratios: The Jeep XJ utilizes a coil spring with a separate shock absorber front suspension and
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#17327795415515952-564: The first blow-molded symmetrical instrument panel retainer structure. This instrument panel featured a unique cluster/airbag bracket invented by Peter Gruich that allowed the interchange of the two components for the vehicle to be sold in the right-hand and left-hand drive markets with both driver and passenger airbags. A beeper also replaced the buzzer. A stiffer unibody frame brought improvements to noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) measurements. Also contributing to NVH improvements were new door seals that reduced wind noise at higher speeds. In
6048-645: The first to be sold in Europe , in the early years, however, only few cars were exported. Notable sales only began in the late eighties or early nineties, depending on the country. In 1988 an import organization was established in Switzerland . In 1989 the Cherokee was launched in France (marketed through Renault), in 1992 in some additional markets, and in 1993 for the United Kingdom . Early versions came with
6144-447: The interior rear quarter panel on the driver's side in the trunk. A new, unique spare tire carrier was invented by Peter Gruich while working for Jeep Special Programs that utilized the trailer hitch bar and a unique pivot bracket and although it was the only external spare tire carrier to pass the full Jeep durability test, it was not offered for sale. The interior was similarly updated with an all-new design and instrument panel featuring
6240-546: The largest size of commonly produced SUVs. Some, such as the Ford Expedition , and Chevrolet Tahoe , are marketed for their off-road capabilities, and others, such as the Lincoln Navigator and Cadillac Escalade , are marketed as luxury vehicles. While a few full-size SUVs are built on dedicated platforms; most share their platforms with full-size pickup trucks . Some North American SUVs are available as
6336-420: The late 1930s, and the four-wheel-drive station wagons and carryalls that began to be introduced in 1949. Some SUVs produced today use unibody construction; however, in the past, more SUVs used body-on-frame construction. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, the popularity of SUVs significantly increased, often at the expense of the popularity of large sedans and station wagons. SUVs accounted for 45.9% of
6432-548: The main differences from the standard models being metal panels in place of the rear side windows, no rear seats, and a completely flat cargo area. Two- and four-wheel-drive variants were available, powered by the VM Motori 2.5 L diesel engine mated to the Aisin AX-15 manual transmission. Photographs of this model can be found here. American Motors established the first automobile manufacturing joint venture in
6528-471: The media and the general public. The auto industry also has not settled on one definition of the SUV. Automotive websites' descriptions of SUVs range from specifically "combining car-like appointments and wagon practicality with steadfast off-road capability" with "chair-height seats and picture-window visibility" to the more general "nearly anything with available all-wheel drive and raised ground clearance". It
6624-497: The mid-1990s. Today, most SUVs in production use a unibody construction and relatively few models continue to use body-on-frame construction. SUVs are typically of a two-box design similar to a station wagon . The engine compartment is in the front, followed by a combined passenger/cargo area (unlike a sedan, which has a separate trunk/boot compartment). Up until approximately 2010, many SUV models were available in two-door body styles. Since then, manufacturers began to discontinue
6720-404: The middle of the 1999 model year, vehicles with the 4.0 L engine received a revised intake manifold. This was done to help counteract smaller exhaust porting on the latest casting of cylinder heads, which was done to meet more stringent emissions control laws. Both the four- and six-cylinder engines were offered through the 2000 model year, though only the straight-six was available in 2001. For
6816-561: The new replacement for the Liberty , and also announced that the new model would bring back the Cherokee name. The new Cherokee (KL) is built on the compact U.S. wide platform , and features a nine-speed automatic, a choice of a 2.4 L Tigershark I4 with Fiat 's electro-hydraulic MultiAir 2 variable valve timing and variable valve lift or a 3.2 L V6 based on the Pentastar 3.6 L V6, and front and four-wheel drive (the latter
6912-508: The older they get." The XJ Cherokee introduced for the 1984 model year was the first Jeep with a ladder-boxed chassis integrated into a single monocoque unit rather than the traditional separate body-on-frame construction. The design was rigid and sturdy with approximately 3,200 welds in a completed body, "yet wonderfully lightweight, [the] Uniframe permitted outstanding performance even with AMC's new 2.5 L (150 cu in) four-cylinder engine." Both two- and four-door versions of
7008-547: The other car in a collision with an SUV, because the impact occurs at a higher location on the other car. In 2000–2001, 60% of fatal side-impact collisions were where the other vehicle was an SUV, an increase from 30% in 1980–1981. The introduction of electronic stability control (ESC) and rollover mitigation, as well as increased analysis of the risks of a rollover, led the IIHS to report in 2015 that "the rollover death rate of 5 per million registered vehicle years for 2011 models
7104-567: The overall tax take by £5.5 billion in fuel duty. His campaigning appeared on BBC Breakfast, Radio 5 Live, Newsnight, Channel 5 News, Channel 4 News, The Sun, Times, Telegraph, Mail and other national newspapers. The House of Commons Back Bench Committee allowed Willson to be present in the House at a Commons fuel duty debate in 2011. Fair Fuel UK is funded by two industry associations: the Freight Transport Association and
7200-537: The platform of a subcompact (also called supermini or B-segment) passenger car. The "compact SUV" is the next bigger-size class after mini SUVs. Many recent vehicles labeled as compact SUVs are technically compact crossovers and are built on the platform of a compact (C-segment) passenger car. The next larger size is called the "mid-size SUV". Some mid-size SUVs are based on platforms shared with passenger cars and therefore, are crossovers. Other mid-size SUVs are based on compact or mid-size pickups. Full-size SUVs are
7296-405: The previous models. However, major changes were underway with a new executive, Wolfgang Bernhard , who was known as a "cost-slasher" nicknamed "whirlwind", who came from Mercedes-Benz to turn Chrysler around. "One of the first moves Bernhard made when he came to Chrysler in 2000 was to help kill the Jeep Cherokee, an aging, somewhat bland SUV." Thus, the (XJ) Cherokee line was replaced in 2001 by
7392-502: The psychological sense of security they provide influences drivers to drive less cautiously, and may in-turn, cause others with smaller vehicles to opt for SUVs in the future under the sense of security, all the while increasing the rate of fatalities of pedestrians. There is no universally accepted definition of the sport utility vehicle. Dictionaries, automotive experts, and journalists use varying wordings and defining characteristics, in addition to regional variations of usage by both
7488-401: The rear of the spring. Two gas-charged shock absorbers are also used, along with a mild anti-sway/anti-roll bar. The suspension used on vehicles with the optional UpCountry package did not include the rear anti-sway/anti-roll bar, but provided one-inch lift over the standard suspension. The XJ was introduced to left-hand drive European markets in 1985, one year after its American debut. However,
7584-473: The same tailpipe emissions standards as cars for criteria pollutants, though not greenhouse gas emissions standards as they were not set until 2010. In 2011, the CAFE regulations were changed to classify small, two-wheel-drive SUVs as passenger cars. However, the licensing and traffic enforcement regulations in the United States vary from state to state, and an SUV may be classified as a car in some states but as
7680-502: The seats and rear hatches for cargo area access. Just before and during World War II , prototypes and low-volume production examples of military cars with sedan or station wagon-type bodies and rugged, off-road capable four-wheel drive chassis began to appear around the world. These early models included the 1936 Kurogane Type 95 from Japan, the 1938 GAZ-61 from Russia as well as the 1941 Volkswagen Kommandeurswagen and 1936 Opel Geländesportwagen from Germany. An early predecessor to
7776-512: The second largest contributor to the global increase in carbon emissions worldwide. The "crossover SUV" segment (also known as "CUVs" or simply "crossovers") has become increasingly popular since around 2010. Crossovers are often based on a platform shared with a passenger car, as a result, they typically have better comfort and fuel economy, but less off-road capability (many crossovers are sold without all-wheel drive) than pickup truck-based SUVs. The difference between crossovers and other SUVs
7872-583: The second series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, but ignominiously got the lowest score ever on the show with his one and only dance before being voted off. Willson still holds the record for lowest score ever on Strictly with a grand total of eight out of a possible 40 points. Judge Craig Revel Horwood described Willson as "Britain's Worst Dancer". On 12 January 2009, and again on 4 December 2010, he appeared on BBC Breakfast giving advice on snow driving and which cars are better suited. On 5 April 2012, he once again appeared on BBC Breakfast talking about
7968-441: The sides and cloth seats with leather bolsters. "Limited" was embossed on the front seat backs and in the center of the rear seat back. The standard equipment list was extensive and included air conditioning, cruise control, power disk brakes, rear window wiper and washer, and adjustable steering wheel. In the early- to mid-1990s, the Jeep Cherokee started becoming popular for government and police use. The Cherokee AHB police package
8064-471: The similarly named full-sized Grand Wagoneer models that had carried the Wagoneer name before this point. The compact XJ Wagoneer was available initially in two trim levels: the "Wagoneer" or "Wagoneer Base" and the "Wagoneer Limited." The "Wagoneer Base" trim was soon discontinued with its last model year being 1987. Both Wagoneers were distinguished from the Cherokee for the 1983 through 1985 model years by
8160-508: The strong U.S. Dollar made the Cherokee expensive and prevented notable sales during the first years. In most countries, import figures only started rising in the late eighties or early nineties. Right-hand drive European markets only began to officially receive Cherokees (in RHD form) in 1993, although a small number of personal imports had been reaching the UK in left-hand drive form for many years before that. Models were offered in both markets until
8256-576: The two-door models as the four-door models became more popular. A few two-door SUVs remain available, such as the body-on-frame Suzuki Jimny , Mahindra Thar , Toyota Land Cruiser Prado , Ford Bronco , and Jeep Wrangler as well as the Range Rover Evoque crossover SUV. SUVs typically have high ground clearance and a tall body. This results in a high center of mass , which made SUVs more prone to roll-over accidents . In 2003, SUVs were quoted as 2.5 times more likely to roll over in
8352-401: The vehicle did roll over, SUV occupants in the early 2000s were nearly three times as likely to be killed as other car passengers. Vehicles with a high center of gravity do sometimes fail the moose test of maneuverability conducted by Swedish consumer magazine Teknikens Värld , for example, the 1997 Mercedes-Benz A-Class and 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee . The increasing popularity of SUVs in
8448-505: The vehicles with urban residents of Chelsea, London , and their likeness to vehicles used by farmers. However, in the 2020s, the term SUV has entered usage in the United Kingdom The Collins English Dictionary defines a sport utility vehicle as a "powerful vehicle with four-wheel drive that can be driven over rough ground. The abbreviation SUV is often used." In Europe, the term SUV
8544-500: The weight of the new model. It "is noteworthy as the first nonmilitary 4x4 with unibody construction." The unconventional design enhanced XJ's durability and off-road capability and eventually won over most critics, even those models with early underpowered GM engines. The XJ is described "as the first small crossover SUV in the U.S.," with "plenty of the Jeep toughness (and a straight-six engine) built-in." The design and market positioning of
8640-616: The world's passenger car market in 2021. SUVs have been criticized for a variety of environmental and safety-related reasons. They generally have poorer fuel efficiency and require more resources to manufacture than smaller vehicles, contributing more to climate change and environmental degradation . Between 2010 and 2018, SUVs were the second-largest contributor to the global increase in carbon emissions worldwide. Their higher center of gravity increases their risk of rollovers . Their higher front-end profile makes them at least twice as likely to kill pedestrians they hit. Additionally,
8736-621: Was 128,000 yuan for the 2.7 L version (US$ 18,480). while 4.0 L and 4.7 L engines were known as C698QA1 and C8V93Q respectively, and both power the Jeep Grand Cherokee (WJ) . After 2009 Beijing Auto Works continued the production of the Chinese-market XJ Cherokee as the BAW Qishi 骑士 (Knight in Chinese). The Qishi uses a 2.0 L I4 and 2.2 L I4 known as the 4G20 and 4G22, both old Nissan units, and
8832-519: Was Jeep's first all-new design since the 1963 SJ Wagoneer , as well as the first American off-road vehicle built with fully integrated body-and-frame ( unibody ) design, and formed the mechanical basis for the Jeep Comanche (MJ) pickup truck (1986–1992). Jeep marketed XJs as Sportwagons , precursor to the modern sport utility vehicle (SUV), before that term was used. The XJ is credited for spawning competitors, as other automakers noticed
8928-552: Was also made in right-hand drive format, initially for the United States Postal Service . As a spin-off, it allowed Jeep in later years to enter right-hand drive markets — the Cherokee went on sale in both the United Kingdom and Ireland in 1993. It was also sold in Japan , but due to the country's strict "Shaken" motor-vehicle inspection laws, many used Japanese-market Cherokees have found their way back to
9024-588: Was based on computer-aided design (CAD) software systems while new systems stored all drawings and documents in a central database. The pioneering PLM was so effective that after Chrysler purchased AMC in 1987, it expanded the system throughout its enterprise. British TV presenter and motoring expert Quentin Willson described the XJ Jeep as "a real 4x4 icon" and one of the "few truly great cars... which, despite being left behind by newer models, still offer fresh and urgent possibilities. Cars which become more relevant
9120-409: Was developing a new two-door S-10-based Blazer, AMC decided to develop an entirely new four-door model in addition to a two-door version. American Motors' vice president of engineering, Roy Lunn , designed what is known as the "Quadra-Link" suspension, that limited rollovers. Renault's François Castaing developed the drivetrain using a much smaller engine than normally found in 4WD vehicles and reduced
9216-501: Was introduced during the 1992 model year. Starting in 1996, Jeep released a special version of the XJ Cherokee SE for police and fleet use. It featured no interior rear door handles and a revised 190 hp (142 kW) high output version of the 4.0 L "Power-Tech" inline six-cylinder engine. The new HO engine replaced the previous 177 hp (132 kW) version of the 4.0 L engine in all installations. The Cherokee
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