Jeep Cherokee & Grand Cherokee (1966-1990s)

Home < Chrysler Group < Jeep Vehicles < Jeep History

1963 Jeep Wagoneer

Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee traces its lineage to a major branch of that tree, beginning with the 1946 Jeep Station Wagon, manufactured by the Willys-Overland Motor Corporation. The 4x2 Jeep Station Wagon was notable for being the first all-steel wagon. It was powered by the famous "Go-Devil" engine used in the military Jeep vehicles. The Jeep Station Wagon was taller than today's station wagons, with a height of 72.75 inches.

The 1949 Jeep Station Wagon landed in showrooms with a new grille – eight slots instead of the 10 slots on the '46 model. The big news, however, was that 1949 was the first year for the four-wheel drive Jeep wagon.

The next major milestone leading to the Grand Cherokee was the 1963 Jeep Wagoneer. Introduced in two- and four-wheel drive versions, the Wagoneer is considered the first true sport-utility vehicle, even though that term was not commonly used until the 1980s. The Wagoneer's car-like interior and comfort, its ruggedness, and four-wheel drive capability made it a unique vehicle in its day.

Just a few years later came the 1966 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, staking its claim as the first luxury SUV. It was a limited edition 4x4 with such features as a padded vinyl roof with chrome roof rack, power steering and brakes, tilt steering column, contoured bucket seats and power rear tailgate. The engine was the four-barrel, 327 "Vigilante" V-8 with 270 horsepower. The Grand Wagoneer was "built like a bank vault," according to a reviewer at the time, and "…it looks just as much at home in the parking lot of the most posh country club as it does next to a prairie camp fire."

Jeep reignited the luxury SUV segment spectacularly on Jan. 7, 1992, at the North American International Auto Show. That day, an all-new 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee was driven through a glass window at the Cobo Convention Center in Detroit. The '93 Grand Cherokee was the first sport-utility vehicle equipped with a driver's side air bag. It had the highest horsepower, at 190, in its class. It was also the first SUV that used the environmentally friendly R134A refrigerant. Most importantly, and true to its heritage, the 1993 Grand Cherokee set new standards for on-road ride, handling and comfort in a sport-utility vehicle.

The second generation Jeep Grand Cherokee, the 1999 model, offered new features that put even further distance between it and its competition. Among them were: The Quadra-Drive® four-wheel drive system that provided progressive, speed-sensing torque transfer, which kept the vehicle moving with minimal traction., A new steering system with repositioned linkages for better feel and response throughout all speed ranges. The turning circle was reduced by one foot., An all-new electronically controlled transmission produced smoother shift and improved fuel economy. A new refined front suspension offered a smoother, more car-like ride with stiffer and stronger control.

Jeep Cherokee

The Jeep Cherokee debuted in 1974, and was based on the Jeep Wagoneer SJ platform.

The original Cherokee was marketed as the sporty two-door version of the popular Jeep Wagoneer. The Cherokee remained a two-door sport-utility (SUV) until 1977 when a four-door version was introduced. Jeep produced 197,338 SJ platform Cherokee models between 1974 and 1983.

In 1984, American Motors Corporation invested $250 million to redesign the Jeep Cherokee as a smaller, more advanced SUV based on the all-new Jeep XJ platform. The 1984 Jeep Cherokee was a revolutionary vehicle — 21 inches shorter, 6 inches narrower, 4 inches lower, and a thousand pounds lighter than the full-size Wagoneer (SJ). It was built on a revolutionary unibody platform instead of a traditional chassis-and-frame. The Cherokee continued to be available as both two- and four-door models until 1988.

The Jeep Cherokee (XJ) was the first vehicle with two available 4x4 systems: Command-Trac part-time and Selec-Trac full-time 4x4. Jeep Cherokee XJ models have proven enduringly popular with 4x4 enthusiasts for their off-road capability and wide availability of aftermarket modifications.

Sales of the Jeep Cherokee soared after the 1984 redesign with more than 100,000 units sold worldwide every year from 1986 through 2001. In 2002, Cherokee was replaced by the Jeep Liberty in North America. The Cherokee had its best sales year in 1999, with more than 200,000 units sold worldwide.