The KJ is OK if they NOT call it a Cherokee Jeep. I 'll accept it only in that outlook.


However, if DC considers the KJ a new model line-up, then kudos we got a fairly 'trendy-looking'
V/Forester/Vitara/Freelander/RAV4 - fighting suv! Please bear in mind DC, your reputation & sales depends on this American art - World icon called the JEEP!!!

Right on Colin

here is my comment this thing is totally disgusting! why does every suv have to look the same? work on ground clearance and durability not wind resistance, my 88 xj has 5" of lift and 31's and goes anywhere, thank you very much!!!

here is my comment..I've had the honor of working at the Toledo,Ohio JEEP plant for almost 25 years.I seen the Cherokee and was one of the first to work on the Legend in 1983.As of yesterday I was able to see the new KJ in the finished stage.This is one strong built, mountian climbing Jeep.They didn't skimp on any of the Jeep basics. Once this baby hits the public, it will blow all the compition to the side.Yes,this is the new age of the Jeep.And I'm glad to see it come..

here is my comment

Has everyone forgotten how controversial the XJ Cherokee was in 1984? A unibody Jeep with no conventional frame? Many thought it wouldn't be tough enough for the Rubicon . . . but it was! Give KJ a chance! If anyone can build a rugged independent front suspension system for off-roading, it's Jeep!

Jeep owners don't like change and I sympathize with fears that DC will take Cherokee on the path to more car-like SUV's. But can Jeep afford to totally ignore this market? DaimlerChrysler needs to make the decision now to keep the XJ Cherokee if KJ can't handle off-roading. KJ could be an alternative for customers who DO WANT a more car-like ride.

This is a sad sad day for Jeep. I'm looking at the pictures and I think RAV-4,
V. Basically Jeep has caught CAR-UTEightis. Some people are saying that it is going to be a welcomed change to the old cherokee. You know what i say to that comment? Go buy a explorer or something else similar. Leave the Cherokee alone. One person commented that it is going to be great because it is like the Land Rover Freelander. One small difference, this is no rugged Land Rover nor is it a rugged Jeep. Freelanders are about as car-ish as LR's get but they are still up to the challenges of like the Camel Trophy off-road races. Taking a new KJ (Krappy Jeep/Kiddy Jeep) and comparing it to a tried and true XJ or a Freelander is like comparing night and day. Nothing against the person who compared the XJ and the Freelander but he obviously hasn't read the reports saying how bad the KJ is a off roading. The reports say it can't even go over Jeep's simulated section of the Rubicon Trail. If it can't do a fake trail how would it do a real one. This isn't a Jeep this is some kind of joke. I got a cherokee while they were still good and i am sad that I won't be able to get another new one that is still a XJ after 2001. God save Jeep if they keep going towards the direction they are going at the moment

All they had to do was build the TJ Dakar and offer the 4.7L V-8 as an option on the XJ..... the XJ is not 'aging' or 'dated'...the design works exactly as intended....DamnChrysler is going to ruin a good thing by meddling where they have no expertise. Jeep products have always been desired and purchased by individuals interested more in utility and value than style and flash. Thank God there will be a supply of clean, used TJs and XJs for many years to come....

here is my comment I'm hanging on to my 88 XJ because there just isn't anything to replace it out there. I believe in tradition -- metal bumpers, solid axles, round 7" headlamps, and transfer cases. Get rid of the Designated Hitter while we're at it, and I'll be delighted. A YJ-driving friend calls all the other dross "Barbie Jeeps", and I think ALL of us are hoping DC is smart enough to not join that club. I'm actually a bit optimistic, 'cause I think the TJ was really a step forward over the YJ (even though I wish they'd have done a large centrally placed speedo). I'm looking forward to a higher roof. But ... I'll keep the old XJ until I see the KJ in person.

here is my comment - I don't know about the rest of you, but I bought my 97 XJ because it was a classic, not because it was like the other SUV's. If I wanted to have one of those there were a lot to choose from. If you want a classic, there is only one, and that's the XJ.

here is my comment
IT LOOKS BORING. IT LOOKS JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER "SUV'S" OUT THERE. THEY SHOUL HAVE GONE WITH THE DAKAR CONCEPT VEHICLE.

JUST GIVE ME MY TJ.

Is it just me or does the KJ (Krappy Jeep) look smaller than the XJ. They're always complaining that the XJ is too small (which it isn't) but the KJ looks smaller. Maybe thats just because its so girly and bubbleish. But I'm sure everyone who has read the comments knows what I think about it so I won't start. Just was looking at the reactions.

here is my comment:I can't comment on the internals but as far as the outside--looks like a mini Grand Cherokee to me. This would make sense. I'll miss the distinctive look of the current Cherokee. Some say "outdated" I say "classic".

here is my comment

Griff,
I agree KJ styling reminds me of the Suzuki Grand Vitara and I don't want the next Cherokee to look like an import. But I'll withhold judgment until I see one without a disguise. As for off-roading, I hope reports of poor performance refer to early prototypes and not production models. Maybe I'm just not ready to give up on the Cherokee Legend! Chrysler has produced a lot of winners. We should all keep our fingers crossed!

Just responding to a few new comments I read, so bear with me. First of all CharlieH, I agree when the XJ first came out it was quite a shock to the Jeep crowd. But a few bigger tires and a suspension lift later most Jeeper softened up to the idea of the Cherokee and even embraced it buy buying one. And I haven't met a Cherokee owner yet who regrets their decision of buying a XJ. But the KJ (Krappie Jeep) is not controversial just because it is new but because it is such as disgrace to the cherokee name. Think of all the Cherokees from the full size ones, to the two body styles of the XJ and then look at the KJ. I agree with Rich Sullivan it really does look like a Suzuki Sidekick. And just to confirm your fears Rich the Wrangler is next. Yep can you say Wrangler with IFS. Maybe they should should call it PJ (Pieceofshit Jeep). Start buying those 2001 now before they are gone because they are the last of a breed

here is my comment
What a piece o' cr-p! I'm sorry, but
it looks like jeep has succumbed to the
yuppie marketplace completely! is that a Cherokee
or a Suzuki SideKick exposed to radation?
Is the Wrangler the next to fall? I would say
that's a safe bet. Instead of adding some space,
aka the Dakar, I'm sure they'll soften the old
dependable jeep even further so as to be more
road-friendly for the 20 something "dot.com"
professionals! Oh, the humanity!
Rich Sullivan

here is my comment I agree with Griff it is a sad sad day i will be holding on to both of my jeeps

here is my comment:
Why do automakers feel they need to make radical changes to a classic style, seem's it happens to almost every vehicle sooner or later. For example, the Corvette...it was and still is a classic design, but everyone i talk to wish that the powers that be, left it alone and only made subtle cosmetic changes, not radical ones! And that's how i feel about the Cherokee and the Wrangler! Ok to make the small subtle changes, but these rediculous looking radical designs just dont cut it! Give me the classic Cherokee style(pioneer, Sport,Country, Classic0 any time...sure beats the goofy looking (if its true) 2002 edition, looks like one of those Japanese mini imports...NO THANKS!

here is my comment, being in South Africa(where we miss all the hot action) it is great to get pics like this. From what we can see, the new KJ's styling is similar to that of the very popular Land Rover Freelander, hopefully it will be more powerfull and have the great durability of a Jeep.
We cannot wait for it to be released as our current Cherokee is now really showing it's age.
Keep up the good work!

here is my comment:I'd rather like more the "old"cherokee...

I dont know, but my wish for the jeep lineup are as follows, keep the XJ Cherokee, ......and add a slightly larger Varsity and Commander....., I think the grand is suffering from an Identity crisis right now... it's kinda really stuck in between. I would have the wrangler competing with the RAV4 and
-V... cherokee with Exterra, Rodeo, and blazer, ............Varsity with Explorer,MDX, rx300, and Montero sport...... Grand with ml320, x5 (3.0), 4runner and Montero...... the Commander with ml430, x5(4.4), LandCruiser, Yukon(denali), Navigator and RangeRover4.6 HSE..... I think that would balance the lineup a bit more....... comments???