The SJ series Jeep Cherokee was a full-size SUV produced from 1974 through 1983 by the Jeep division of the American Motors Corporation. It was similar to the Wagoneer. The trim levels of the Cherokee included the S, Limited, Classic, Chief, Sport, Pioneer, and Laredo. It was designed by Brooks Stevens.
The Cherokee was a reintroduction of the two door body that had been available in the Jeep Wagoneer line (1963–67). Based on the Wagoneer, the Cherokee was marketed as the "sporty" two-door variant of Jeep's station wagon. When it was equipped with the torquey 6.6liter V8,
it would out-run just about any other 4x4 in its class, and, with 3.07:1 highway gearing, could reach speeds in excess of 100mph (early models had 120mph speedometers). A four-door was not added to the lineup until 1977. Engine choices consisted of AMC I6 or V8 engines.
The Cherokee was marketed in left and right hand drive countries (such as the UK and Australia). Main production of the Cherokee was in Toledo, Ohio.Cherokees 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 was denied permission to assemble the upcoming XJ model under the Button car plan, and all Cherokee assembly was discontinued in Australia by 1986, two years after the model name had been supplanted in the U.S. by the XJ.
The Jeep Cherokee was the first vehicle to earn Four Wheeler Magazine's "Achievement Award". This is the same award that would become the legendary "Four Wheeler of the Year".
cherokee australia
