I am sure glad I went ahead and bought my 2001 Cherokee as it appears the German influence at DC is even going to effect the Jeep.

Helloooo???Can anyone say" been there done that"? This thing looks like a four wheel drive PT Cruiser!I will still keep an open mind til I actually drive one and get some hands on testing but for now I am sticking with my Cherokee Sport,Thank You!

Can someone tell me how DC hasn't seen or heard

our disapointment and concern. Why would DC even

talk about stopping production of the

all mighty XJ!!! I'm all about new members to the

Jeep family, but how can you even think about

ending the XJ with such a popular following and

proven reputation. Its not like its struggling for

sales! I have a 2000 Cherokee Sport, and glad I

got it when I did. DC should really research

the stats and listen to what we have to say.

After all, we our the end users!!!!!

First off I own a 1999 Cherokee Sport that I love. And after reading the above comments it is obvious most XJ owners feel the same way. Unlike most
of the comments about the KJ, I am willing to give this vehicle a chance. I have
been encouraged by what I have heard lately. I particularly like the idea of the
KJ ( LIBERTY ) being added to the Jeep line. I am 47 years old and I remember very clearly when the XJ was introduced how the hard core Jeepers
thought it was unthinkable to put the Jeep name on a downsized uni-body
truck wannabe. My point is simply this, when ever something new in introduced
everybody worries if its as good as the old. Over time the Cherokee has proven
it deserves to wear the Jeep name and if history repeats itself the KJ will do the same. Jeeps heritage has been built on many different vehicles and not all of
them have been off road warriors ( Jeepsters, Postals ). A lot of people seem
to think that the KJ is not a real Jeep, but in reality with the Germans firmly in
charge it could end up being the last new Jeep designed and built here in the
U.S.

I've said it before to myself--now I'll say it publicly--supermoms SUCK, marketing people SUCK, yuppies SUCK, Mercedes(the parent who gave birth to this ugly son-of a RAV-4) SUCKS , and wanna -be "SUVs" SUCK , and DaimlerChrysler SUCKS. I believe everyone here echos my sentiments exactly.

here is my comment: This is more like one of thoes
piece of crap Toyota RAV 4's. This is not real
jeep material. They should keep the old classic
body style and rugged look of the Cherokee. none
of this sissy junk. Don't follow the Kia or the
nasty honda fake SUV's. They arnt woth a crap
either. keep th

I have been a Jeep fan all my life. I have a Cherokee Sport 4x4 and a Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4 and love them both. I would be more than ashamed to pull up to a stoplight next to this KJ and have see the beloved name of Jeep on the back of it. Say it ain't so Jeep!

Only one question:which kind of diesel motorization will be installed on new KJ in Europe ?
Mercedes 2.7 L CDI or VM - Detroit Diesel ?

I read the article and if that column is true that is great... kinda. Thank goodness that the KJ (Krappy Jeep) isn't going to be the XJ's follow up but I really don't think the KJ is even deservant of the Jeep name. If it is a Jeep then definately take the "Freedom" name because when I think of "Dakar" i think of that great rig that Jeep should have on the showroom floor at this very moment. This isn't a Dakar this is some goofy name like "Freedom." I am interested and excited about the minor changes that are coming up, maybe we can get a few more horses out of the old I6 and some headrest in the back seats. But I'm not complaining. Long live the XJ!!

I wish i knew the answer to that question too. But don't count on it not being KJ devired since the new Wrangler (VJ i think) is suppose to come out around the time of the KJ and well before 2005 when the XJ finally gets a real major redesign. So Don't count on it Jeep fan Bob. When Benz is in control nothing goes right.

THE XJ PREVAILS ONCE AGAIN!!!!

Does this mean that the the real Jeep, the Wrangler is safe from being cloned from the KJ? That would be the real tragedy. Can some one answer this?

I don't know who's to blame for the Krappy Jeep, Daimler, Chrysler, or both of them, but it is not even deserving of being in the same showroom as a Jeep, much less having the Jeep name badge.

If DC wanted to make a competitor for the Escape, RAV4, etc., then they should have called it a Chrysler (not even a Dodge, as I have more respect for the Dodge name then the KJ affords)

I have a better moniker for the so-called Freedom, how about WJ, the Wannabe Jeep!!

Car and Truck News (www.car-truck.com) for October 26 is saying that the KJ will not be called Cherokee. The new name has still not been chosen "Freedom" is apparently the leading contender with "Dakar" also a possibility. In the same article, Car and Truck news says that production of the current Cherokee (XJ) will continue until 2004 or 2005.

Jeep fan Bob, The new KJ (Krappy Jeep) shouldn't be front wheel drive (if it is that just worsens the whole situation) in 2 wheel drive. Also it is suppose to have a low range from what i have read from diferent sources but knowing DC anything could happen. Yes the truck (if you can even call it that) still has low range but it has mainly been tailored to the Mommy segment of SUV buyers. I have heard many rumors that it is a disgrace to the Cherokee name off road but it should perform better off road than the Ford Escape which is all wheel drive. The Escape couldn't touch rock crawling with a ten foot pole and as for suspension lifts don't hold your breath, the chance is slim. The Escape won't do much more offroad than some light mud, very light. If you have anything more better bring a Jeep to tow that Ford out, a real Jeep like the XJ. If you are looking to buy I recomend the 2000 or 01 XJ's. They are the same size as the Escape and provide for better offroad performance. Only thing mechanically good about the Escape is the 200hp V6 but the 195hp I6 in the Jeep is no pansy either, has alot more torque than the Ford from what I have heard. So basically, be very weary of buying a Ford, I would go XJ but don't wait too long because i don't recomend going KJ...

I think I have been to the Jeep dealer too many times, i think i could double as a saleman with that pitch i just made

here is my comment
I'm glad I have a 2000 Cherokee Classic! It will obviously be worth a ton of money in a few years as Jeeps become collector vehicles. From what I can see, the new ones certainly will be the demise of what was a wonderful 4X4.
With all of the marketing intelligence and forward thinking at Chrysler, I am surprised they would let this happen.

P.S.: Someone should email the address of this page to some Jeep people (hopefully they can read something other than German). Maybe they'll take a clue and scrap this disgrace to the Cherokee name.

OUCH!
This just confirms my worst fears! The KJ will look like every other SUV out there. Too bad.
Coincidently, I recently received my Jeep Provisions catalog. Apparently, the only place one can see and buy the gourgeous Dakar jeep
concept, is as a toy they're pedaling.
Unfortunate.
Rich

Sorry, I have to agree with Griff... It is just another SUV from what the photo shows.
No "truck" in that rice burner. Wouldn't it have been cheaper to have had KIA make the damn thing and then label it a Jeep?! I like the box look of the Cherokee, heck I could have bought a Grand Cherokee but why? I wanted to buy something with character. Did anybody in marketing bother to ask owners of Cherokees WHY they bought them and not some other SUV including the Grand Cherokee? Who will grab the retro market, the man's market? Not Jeep... they will just be another name plate in the yuppie SUV shopping mall. Oh and don't think that chasing the survey that said women are the force behind SUV buying will save Jeep when the wives find the next craze (remember mini vans? can we say flat to sinking sales?)

here is my comment. Does any one know, is the new Cherokee a front wheel driver like the Escape is in two wheel drive mode. The Escape looks like a pretty slick package for the money, do these vehicles perform well off road? Im not talking rock crawling. Can these vehicles be lifted and beefed up for heavy duty off road use

The people have spoken... The KJ (Krappy Jeep) is Jeeps newest marketing failure. Long live the might I6 solid axle XJ!

I predict not building the Dakar on the TJ platform will go down as one of the biggest bonehead moves by 'Chrysler' (as if anybody were left at Chrysler who wasn't marching in lockstep with headquarters in Stuttgart).

I'll be watching for good deals on late-model used XJs and won't bother picking up the new-model brochures at my Jeep dealer anymore....

It's hard to get a good idea of the scale of he picture, but the KJ looks puny next to the other vehicle...but from the way the bumper sticks out in front, it might have the Dakar/Wrangler style front end, which would be good to see.

Overall, though, the big worry isn't how it looks, but how it performs.

here is my comment that thing is uggggllllyyyy

Wow the legendary reliability of a V6 with the body of a Suzuki Grand Vitara. Jeep really must take stock in their slogan, "Jeep... The only one." Because they must be "the only one" that thinks this truck, or should i say car-ute, will be successful. We a seeing the end of a the glory days of the brand. First the ZJ, now the XJ, and soon the TJ. Yep those were the last of the rugged no frills Jeeps. They had a character all their own. Now we have the KJ (Krappy Jeep) which is every soccer mom's dream. Decked out in 2 wheel drive maybe throw in one of those trendy brush guards, man will those mom's be styling. If you think the demise of the XJ is bad, just wait the Wrangler is all ready for IFS on the next redesign from what i hear. Buy em now boys, while they still have I6's and solid axles.

LONG LIVE THE XJ!!