Instead, the Cherokee featured a much broader D-pillar and a single, long fixed rear side window with an optional flip-out section.

[2] The Cherokee was first revealed in late 1973 and it was marketed as the "sporty" two-door variant of Jeep's station wagon that went beyond the CJ-5 in interior space with off-road ability.

[6] This generation of Cherokee would eventually be well known as the innovator of the modern SUV, as it spawned competitors, and other automakers noticed that this Jeep design began replacing regular cars.

[7] It also began to supplant the role of the station wagon and "transformed from truck to limousine in the eyes of countless suburban owners.

The third generation, marketed as the Jeep Liberty in North America to differentiate it from the Grand Cherokee, was introduced in April 2001 for the 2002 model year.

The KJ Cherokee was also the second Jeep vehicle to incorporate an independent front suspension, with the 1963 Wagoneer first to feature this as an option on four-wheel-drive.

The Nitro was discontinued after 2011, and Sergio Marchionne wanted to avoid duplicate vehicles with Dodge and Jeep (as well as Chrysler) sharing the same sales network.

The four-cylinder engine was dropped from the Cherokee's models because the smaller Patriot and Compass offered greater fuel efficiency.

Jeep discontinued the Cherokee's CRD for the American market because it could not meet the more rigid 2007 emissions standards for diesel engines.

[13][15] The front end was updated for the 2018 model year,and a new 2.0 L turbo engine became available, rated with 270 hp (201 kW; 274 PS) and 295 pound force-feet (400 N⋅m) of torque.

[17] At that time the names were "carefully chosen and nurtured over the years to honor and celebrate Native American people for their nobility, prowess, and pride.

"[18] In February 2021, Chuck Hoskin, Jr., principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, called for Jeep to change the vehicle's name.