Jeep Cherokee vs Jeep Liberty

JohnnyCash · **Posted:** Wed May 16, 2007 7:09 pm

Why does the Cherokee have such a great reputation compared to the Liberty?
I don't see what the big difference is except for a little more clearance and the Cherokee has no IFS.
So why does everyone seem to love the Cherokee, but when you mention the Liberty people start bashing it.
I don't get it.

Jeep4me99 · **Posted:** Wed May 16, 2007 7:16 pm

i think one of the main reasons is because of the looks. people think the KJ looks like a chick SUV. It could also have to do with the suspension. The IFS allows a world more of options as far as lifting and offroad performance, but there is only so much you can do to lift the KJ front suspension before running into major issues.

Also, the cherokee was almost as big a staple to the JEEP brand as the wrangler. When CJ's changed to what we currently call wranglers, the offroad capabilites and aftermarket options didn't suffer as much as when the cherokee was retired and the liberty replaced it.

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed May 16, 2007 7:17 pm

People didnt really like the Cherokee when it came out either. I have some old 4WD magazines from "back in the day" when Cherokees first came out and they were saying that they would never be serious trail runners due to the low heighth, not having a full frame etc. They were not loved although the article did say that with the right equipment and time someone may be able to make it work on easy trails. After 2 or 3 years people starting warming up to them more and more. But it took a few years. When I first started buying Cherokees I bought every mag there was to find articles about them to make mine more trail worthy, yes this was before you could get on a forum like this and get an answer in 5 minutes of what would and not work!

Tom

JohnnyCash · **Posted:** Wed May 16, 2007 7:20 pm

I thought the Liberty looked like a chick car when it came out, and all I saw were silver Liberty's everywhere. I hated it.
Something changed though. Now I like it. I don't think it looks like a Chick car anymore.
Whenever I walk out to the parking lot anywhere I always think my Jeep looks pretty darn rugged and Jeepy compared to the other vehicles.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Wed May 16, 2007 7:29 pm

You gotta be kidding!? Cherokees Suck! THey have those stupid square headlights, no frame, 4 doors and they are just big old overgrown station wagons! Those things will never be able to wheel worth a darn! :twisted:

Heres some pics of one of those POS XJ's!

Silly things can't wheel for crap! :wink:

Yep, the same things were said about KJ's and here we are several years and MANY off road trips later and they do the job just as well as an XJ. Sure the XJ is far ahead of us as far as lifts and goodies you can buy for them but w/ a few SFA KJ's running around it is only a matter of time that we catch up.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Wed May 16, 2007 8:17 pm

Keep in mind the XJ is still being produced, thats over a 20 year production run.

The XJ has many years of loving ownership behind it, libby is only a 6 year production run, the cherokee in its last US incarnation was a 5 year production run, the earlyer incarnation was a 13 year production run.

That and its easyer to sleep in the back of an XJ, that helps too.

auggy · **Posted:** Wed May 16, 2007 8:32 pm

Sir Sam wrote:

Keep in mind the XJ is still being produced, thats over a 20 year production run.

Where is the XJ still being produced?

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Wed May 16, 2007 8:43 pm

auggy wrote:

Sir Sam wrote:

Keep in mind the XJ is still being produced, thats over a 20 year production run.

Where is the XJ still being produced?

China

Dje Ryu · **Posted:** Wed May 16, 2007 8:49 pm

Sir Sam wrote:

That and its easier to sleep in the back of an XJ, that helps too.

There's not much difference if you're only 5'5" :lol:

I could sleep in the back of a CJ, I think!

Might explain why some people think the seats are uncomfortable, too

Back to the original topic: I think the main reason people see the KJ as a "chick" Jeep is simply because of that first commercial that came out for them, at a gas station (I believe), girl in a KJ hands a set of coordinates to a guy in a TJ... blah, blah, blah. I kind of hated that commercial, if you can't tell. I know that amongst my friends they all referred to that whenever the Liberty was brought up. I have always liked them, just couldn't quite swing the payments until last year. And thanks to all of you, I can now show those same people that my Jeep can do what their rigs can. Thanks for pioneering.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Wed May 16, 2007 9:17 pm

Dje Ryu wrote:

Sir Sam wrote:

That and its easier to sleep in the back of an XJ, that helps too.

There's not much difference if you're only 5'5" :lol:

I could sleep in the back of a CJ, I think!

Might explain why some people think the seats are uncomfortable, too

Back to the original topic: I think the main reason people see the KJ as a "chick" Jeep is simply because of that first commercial that came out for them, at a gas station (I believe), girl in a KJ hands a set of coordinates to a guy in a TJ... blah, blah, blah. I kind of hated that commercial, if you can't tell. I know that amongst my friends they all referred to that whenever the Liberty was brought up. I have always liked them, just couldn't quite swing the payments until last year. And thanks to all of you, I can now show those same people that my Jeep can do what their rigs can. Thanks for pioneering.

The seat still doesnt fold quite so flat on the liberty(a clear oversight on Jeeps part).....and even at 5'8 I still have to go into the fetal position.

Dje Ryu · **Posted:** Wed May 16, 2007 9:20 pm

I do hate the seats not folding flat, too, really. Even if I can lay across the flat part, doesn't mean I want someone rolling on top of me all night. :roll:

gone_jeepin · **Posted:** Wed May 16, 2007 9:42 pm

I slept in the fetal position last weekend across the back seat and i'm 5'9. Originally i was sleeping in a tent but it started pouring and the tent started leaking so i got up and slept in the Jeep.
But anyway back on topic, I personally think the liberty looks better but the XJ is alot more capable.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Wed May 16, 2007 10:03 pm

XJ was Cheap, Light, Straight Axles front and rear, had an I6 Tractor Engine and were plentiful. Hard to beat that! They had shortcomings as all vehicles but they accepted mods that made them monsters.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Wed May 16, 2007 10:14 pm

gone_jeepin wrote:

I slept in the fetal position last weekend across the back seat and i'm 5'9. Originally i was sleeping in a tent but it started pouring and the tent started leaking so i got up and slept in the Jeep.
But anyway back on topic, I personally think the liberty looks better but the XJ is alot more capable.

Ok now try that with two full grown guys. The hatch of the cherokee was just designed better for that. When I go camping I ONLY sleep in the back of the jeep, get cold at night? Start it up run the heater. Raining? Watch the rain. Sleeping in a bad part of town? Lock the doors.

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed May 16, 2007 10:37 pm

Havent tried sleeping in the back of the Liberty yet, but used to sleep in my 69 Bronco all the time when out camping with.... well cant remember who she was anymore :wink:

but I know we both fit, :lol:

Have slept in all of my Cherokees as well of course I am only 5 ft 7 so can curl up most anywhere

spencevans · **Posted:** Thu May 17, 2007 12:09 am

DarbyWalters wrote:

XJ was Cheap, Light, Straight Axles front and rear, had an I6 Tractor Engine and were plentiful. Hard to beat that! They had shortcomings as all vehicles but they accepted mods that made them monsters.

The Cherokee was a rough vehicle. It was designed in the early 80's. The KJ was designed 20 years later. The KJ is definately more refined. Also believe it or not the KJ is slightly bigger in all dimensions. It is a tad bit longer even without the rear tire on. It also a lot safer if you involved in an accident.

JeepinG · **Posted:** Thu May 17, 2007 12:55 am

I'm 5'10" and sleep in mine comfortably. I move the front seat all the way forward, put a couple gear boxes behind the seat so it's nearly level with the rear seats and put my air mattress down. Viola, tons of room, no fetal position required : ) Plus, the air mattress almost completely removes the 'seam' where the rear seats fold.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Thu May 17, 2007 4:40 am

JeepinG wrote:

I'm 5'10" and sleep in mine comfortably. I move the front seat all the way forward, put a couple gear boxes behind the seat so it's nearly level with the rear seats and put my air mattress down. Viola, tons of room, no fetal position required : ) Plus, the air mattress almost completely removes the 'seam' where the rear seats fold.

Even at 5'9 I go somewhat fetal.....its just enough that I have to pull my body in, when will automakers start designing cars with sleeping in them in mind?

"You can sleep in your car, but you can't drive in your house."

Jeep Cherokee vs Jeep Liberty

Who is online