Time and technology march on. The XJ was fine for 1980s technology, but that's where it belongs.
Yeah. Back in the 80's when even dying AMC knew a SUV had to be a truck first and a family wagon second. The idea worked so well they sold millions of them and Jeep kept selling them long after their best before date. I guess Jeep realizes they lack the ability to match AMC in concept design so a Jeepish grill on a Dart wagon is what we get.
Back in the 70s when the XJ ws first being planned out, AMC had to rely on Renault for most of the engineering. When the XJ first came out the off road guys hated it. They whined just like you're doing about the sissification of the Jeep brand etc. They wet through similar spasms when the YJ replaced the CJ, "Square headlights? Bent Grill? THIS IS AN OUTRAGE". It was just that dumb, and one of the reasons they switched back to round headlights and a flat grill for the TJ.
This Cherokee has got more power, ground clearance, better approach, departure and breakover angles, a 9 speed automatic, high and low range, traction and stability control, a body about 3000% more rigid than the wet linguini XJ ever had, a nice roomy interior with better cargo space and it won't fold up in an accident like a Bud Light can.
You can deny it all you want, but this is better out of the box than the XJ.
