The Jeep Cherokee is an SUV. It began as a full-size model, along with the similar Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer. But 1984's unibody Cherokee set the stage for the modern SUV, being a cross between a station wagon and truck with little pickup truck heritage. It is built in the United States and Beijing, China.

SJ (1974–1983)

The first vehicle to use the Cherokee name was the 1974 SJ. Based on the Jeep Wagoneer, the Cherokee was marketed as the "sporty" variant of Jeep's station wagon. The Cherokee was available with two or four door bodies, and AMC straight six cylinder or V8 engines. The vehicles were marketed in left and right hand drive countries (such as the UK and Australia. Main production of the vehicles took place in Toledo.

Cherokee's were briefly assembled in Brisbane, Australia from 1981, although their heavy fuel consumption and high cost in comparison with Japanese four wheel drive vehicles made them uncompetitive in that market. The Australian arm of Jeep were denied permission to assemble the upcoming XJ model under the Button car plan, and all Cherokee assembly was discontinued in Australia in 1986, two years after the model name had been supplanted in the US by the XJ.

XJ (1984–1996)

The XJ Cherokee was introduced in 1984 as the first unibody Jeep. It was to be replaced by the larger Jeep Grand Cherokee (ZJ) in 1993, but the continuing popularity of the original Cherokee caused the company to rethink this decision. It was eventually replaced in 2002 by the Jeep Liberty (KJ), though that vehicle is called the Cherokee in some markets.

An upscale trim line on the Cherokee from 1984 through 1990 was the Jeep Wagoneer. It was sold as a separate model, and had plastic wood trim on the outside.

Available engines:

• 1984-1996 2.5 L AMC I4, 121 hp-125 hp
• 1984-1986 2.8 L GM 60° LR2 V6
• 1984-1986 2.0 L Renault turbo Diesel I4
• 1987-1990 4.0 L AMC I6, 177 hp
• 1991-1996 4.0 L AMC "High Output" I6, 190 hp

XJ (1997–2001)

The Cherokee was redesigned in 1997. Both 4- and 6-cylinder engines were offered up to the last year, when only the six was available.

Available engines:

• 1997-2000 2.5 L AMC I4, 125 hp
• 1997-1999 4.0 L Power Tech I6, 190 hp
• 2000-2001 4.0 L Power Tech I6, 190 hp

KJ (2002–present)

The 2002 KJ series was renamed Liberty for the United States market, but retained the Cherokee name in many others. See Jeep Liberty.