Throwback Thursday: MotorWeek Retro Reviews the 1997 Cherokee

By Detroit Steel - November 19, 2015

Cherokee

There certainly is no debating the appeal of this Throwback Thursday video. As a matter of fact, you’ll probably find more than a few here at JK Forum who will insist that the Cherokee has never quite had the same kind of appeal as those from years past, like this 1997 highlighted in the classic MotorWeek video review below.

That’s not to say that I totally agree with the idea that the Cherokee’s most iconic years are behind it, but I certainly understand why some might feel the way they do about the older models.

Available as either a two or four-door, this 1997 model touted 40 new features when it was introduced including the most significant styling change for the vehicle in 13 years. Most noticeable were the Jeep’s new overall rounder look, wrap around bumpers, and new wheel flares that blend into the bumper.

Sport and Country models were powered by a 4.0-liter inline-six that produces 190 horsepower and 225 lb-ft. of torque. Of course, reading about the ’97 Cherokee doesn’t have the same appeal as hearing MotorWeek host John Davis’ take on the classic Jeep.