1997 Jeep Cherokee Review
- 201,669 milesNo accidents, 2 Owners, Personal use6cyl ManualLBSI Automotive (166 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- 5000lb Towing Capaci...
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Located in Uniontown, PA
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
18 Combined MPG (17 City/19 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1J4FJ68S9VL526451
Stock: 5648
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 03-14-2024 - 206,148 miles1 Accident, 6 Owners, Corporate fleet vehicle6cyl ManualAtlanta Motorsports (423 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- 5000lb Towing Capaci...
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Located in Roswell, GA
NEW TIRES - RAPTOR LINER EXTERIOR - ROCK SLIDERS- RUNS GREAT- CLEAN TITLE- NON SMOKER -NO RUST - OFFROAD RIG - WILL NOT LAST LONG- NATIONWIDE SHI...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
18 Combined MPG (17 City/19 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1J4FJ68S5VL591801
Stock: AMS2586
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 05-18-2023 - 226,886 miles1 Accident, 5 Owners, Personal use6cyl ManualCorwin Public Wholesale (843 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- 5000lb Towing Capaci...
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Located in Fargo, ND
WELCOME TO OUR TAX TIME CAR SALES EVENT! WE ARE EXCITED TO OFFER YOU INCREDIBLE DEALS AND DISCOUNTS ON A WIDE RANGE OF VEHICLES DURING THIS SPECIAL SE...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
18 Combined MPG (17 City/19 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1J4FJ68S3VL604741
Stock: 77604741
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 11-29-2023 - 67,660 milesNo accidents, 4 Owners, Personal use only6cyl ManualAuto 206 (2,007 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- 5000lb Towing Capaci...
Close
Located in Kent, WA
Power Steering, Clock, Tachometer, Traction Control, Dynamic Stability, Intermittent Wipers, AM/FM, Cassette, Sport Package, Four Wheel Drive, Body Si...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
18 Combined MPG (17 City/19 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1J4FJ68S7VL520910
Stock: 20910
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 02-15-2024
Edmunds' Expert Review
Pros
- Cheap and loaded with rugged character, dual airbags, optional ABS, optional full-time 4WD, optional 4.0-liter six-cylinder engine
Cons
- Rugged character result of ancient engineering, uncomfortable rear seat folds but doesn't split
What’s new
A new interior sporting modern instrumentation debuts. Front and rear styling is refined, and the rear liftgate is now stamped from steel. Multiplex wiring is designed to improve reliability of the electrical system, while a new paint process aims to polish the finish of all Cherokees.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1997 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4dr SUV and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.52 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Vehicle overview
Some things never change much, and the Jeep Cherokee is one of those mainstays. Unlike its posh--and bigger--Grand Cherokee brother, which keeps adding comforts and graceful touches, the ever-practical, affordable Cherokee simply keeps on rolling, looking little different now than it did a dozen years ago. This year, however, the Cherokee benefits from some overdue updates, including a new interior with dramatically improved instrumentation.
Utilitarian and upright it is, but with a compelling personality that even the Grand Cherokee lacks. Cherokee's squared-off edges are a bit rounder for 1997, with revised styling front and rear. Inside, the new interior includes dual airbags, new controls and displays, and a new climate control system that improves air flow and reduces interior noise. Fresh door trim panels, illuminated power mirror and power window switches, and a revised floor console round out the major interior changes. Four adults fit inside the Cherokee in reasonable comfort, with fine head room. Rear leg room is lacking, in a very short seat, and entry to the rear is constricted by a narrow door. Worth noting is the fact that the rear bench folds but doesn't offer a split, meaning you can't haul a toddler and a treadmill simultaneously.
Relatively refined on the road, the compact Cherokee is capable of strutting its stuff when the going gets rough. Acceleration is brisk with the 4.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, courtesy of 190 horsepower, and we highly recommend this upgrade if you select the SE model. With the 4.0-liter engine, the Cherokee puts the "sport" into sport utility.
SE and Sport models can have two or four doors, while the step-up Country edition is four-door only. All are available with either two- or four-wheel drive. Command-Trac part-time four-wheel drive allows shift-on-the-fly operation. Selec-Trac is Jeep's full-time four-wheel drive system. Standard gear includes power steering, tinted glass, and power front disc brakes. Four-wheel anti-lock braking is optional (six-cylinder only), as are power windows and door locks, keyless entry system, cruise control, air conditioning, and leather seats.
Other refinements for 1997 include new wiring designed to reduce complexity and improve reliability. The rear liftgate is now stamped from steel and features hidden hinges. This new design is lighter and easier to operate, with a new exterior handle and interior pull-down strap. Bumper end caps and side moldings are better integrated into the Cherokee's design, and front windows are ventless for improved visibility. Larger exterior mirrors make it easier to see out of the Cherokee, while new door seals battle to keep dust and noise from filtering into the cabin. Finally, new robotic spray equipment at the factory makes metallic paint colors look better.
Despite its age, the original compact Jeep sport utility remains a sensible choice in its field, more capable than most of heading into the woods at a moment's notice. What more can anyone ask of a moderately-priced on/off-roader?
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Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1997 Jeep Cherokee.
Trending topics in reviews
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OIIIIO thrills
I LOVE THIS THING!
Endless reliability internally, falling apart externally
Fun on the road
1997 Cherokee Highlights
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 17 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $249/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 34.0 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Safety
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalMarginal
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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