I just read this article about "should they build a new XJ?" and had some thoughts...here is the article:

http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php/2013/03/can-will-jeep-bring-back-the-xj-cherokee

Makes me think of the OTHER side of this argument. What about the people that don't need to off-road but love the utility of an SUV? Why is it so "un-Jeep-like" to offer a model for those customers?

I'm thinking back a few years, well before the 2014 Cherokee was even announced...let's say 2010. My wife got her new Jeep Liberty in Dec. 2009, 2010 model Limited 4x4. Her sister bought her new Commander Ltd the same day at the same dealership, also a 2010.

Jeep lineup in 2010...Compass, Patriot, both FWD based, 4cyl only, manual or CVT
Liberty...3.7L V6 only, RWD based, solid rear, IFS
Grand Cherokee/Commander, RWD Based, solid rear, IFS, V6 or V8

competition...many import models offer FWD based V6 powered SUVs. My mother in law is shopping for a replacement for her 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe...AWD, V6. Nothing comparable to her current ride from Jeep. Patriot/Compass 4cyl only. Liberty V6 only. Her Hyundai, 2.7L V6, 23-24 hwy mpg. Jeep...nothing like it in a V6 (she doesn't like/want a 4 cyl).

Now, the new Cherokee...4cyl base, V6 optional, FWD based, very comparable to many RAV4, Hyundai SUVs, Ford Escape, etc. Many, many fuel efficient FWD based SUVs offer a V6, but not the Patriot/Compass.

My wife and I traded our 2010 Liberty for a 2012 Patriot due to several factors, none of which were "off-road" worthiness. Liberty had TERRIBLE front seat leg room, not enough for me to be comfortable at 6' tall, at least, not for long. Patriot has more leg room up front (FWD based, no trans tunnel). Patriot gets MUCH better fuel mileage (2.4L vs 3.7L).

Liberty started as a 4cyl base, V6 option mid-sized SUV, grew into a larger mid-size SUV and V6 only power. Liberty could not accept the new Pentastar V6 engine, which was just silly.

Now, my mother in law ended up buying a Dodge Nitro in Jan 2012 (dealer had a slew of new 2011s with big rebates). She likes the size and the utility, and had to have a V6, but does NOT like the fuel mileage (she doesn't like the Patriot or Compass either). Now she wants to trade her Nitro for a Hyundai, and the new Cherokee comes out. The new Cherokee fits her needs perfectly, and that's what she'll be driving next. If the Cherokee had been out in 2012 when we traded, we'd have that instead of the Patriot. The next Jeep I get will be the new Cherokee.

JS

Thanks for posting that, very interesting.

I read it and Jeep has followed Dodge in trying to reuse a name of a proven platform like lipstick on a pig. I'm not saying the new Cherokee is a pig I'm just saying its a not an XJ, it reminds me of a Murano or Infinity JX or FX.

The only thing that will replace an XJ .... is another XJ.

IMHO pound for pound and dollar for dollar the best 4x4 rig on the planet.

I would think it would have been less complicated and (gasp) cheaper to just expand the drivetrain options in the other " Jeeps " in the line up.

Now all we have left for a true 4x4 rig is the Wrangler and they are far from cheap.

I understand that not everyone loves the new Cherokee, and that Jeep brought a lot of the critiquing on themselves by using the Cherokee name, but it was never intended as a replacement for the XJ. Hell, the XJ has been out of production for 13 years. I can also promise you that neither the Marano, nor any of the FX/QX models will make it down the Rubicon.

I'd also argue, that in Trailhawk guise at least, the new Cherokee is a more capable 4x4 in stock form than the XJ was.

Lastly, the Cherokee is selling very well. Regardless of what the XJ fanboys say, the Cherokee is a good vehicle that has consumers interested.