What model is the Little Cherokee?
4 Answers
The Little Cherokee is a compact SUV model. The Little Cherokee refers to the Cherokee 2500 produced by Beijing Jeep, and the Little Cherokee commonly mentioned now is generally considered to be the JEEP 2500. The Little Cherokee has a body length of 4415mm, width of 1819mm, height of 1635mm, and a wheelbase of 2636mm, with some models having a height of 1625mm. The Little Cherokee is equipped with a 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder naturally aspirated engine, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission, delivering a maximum power of 94kw and a maximum torque of 194nm. The front face design of the Little Cherokee aligns with current trends, from the silver seven-slot front grille that inherits the family lineage, to the black inner frame with chrome fog light borders and smoked taillights, and the dynamic double five-spoke 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels, all of which are favored by car owners.
The compact Cherokee is that iconic Jeep Cherokee SUV, first launched in the 1970s when the Grand Cherokee wasn't even on the scene yet. It's a size smaller than the later Grand Cherokee but packs serious off-road chops, with its body-on-frame construction and rugged 4WD system that made light work of mountain dirt trails. I remember in the 1990s many Chinese organizations used these as fleet vehicles – the boxy body with seven-slot grille was instantly recognizable. Later generations rebranded as the Cherokee (KL) adopted more urban styling, and nowadays you'll need to hunt used car markets to find classic 'compact Cherokees'.
Our family used to drive a small Cherokee, which is a compact SUV in the Jeep lineup. The most obvious difference from the Grand Cherokee is its smaller size, but it actually has more aggressive off-road parameters like ground clearance and approach angle. The steering wheel feels heavy, and going over speed bumps can be quite jarring, but it gives a strong sense of security on rough roads. The most unforgettable part was the sound of the 4.0L inline-six engine, which rumbled like an old ox panting. The fuel consumption was indeed shocking—it couldn’t stay below 15L/100km in the city. The newer Cherokee models are much more fuel-efficient, but they somehow feel less rugged.
Off-road enthusiasts are all familiar with the little Cherokee, which is considered an entry-level legend in the circle. Its four-wheel-drive system with a transfer case allows manual switching between high and low gears, and it has great modification potential. I've seen people lift its chassis and fit all-terrain tires, making it even more capable in deserts than the Prado. Unfortunately, it was later discontinued and replaced by the Cherokee (KJ/Liberty), which adopted a unibody construction. While the new model offers better on-road comfort, it lost much of its off-road DNA. Old-school fans now talk about the little Cherokee with a nostalgic filter.
