Thanks to its rugged construction, tough Quadra-Link Suspension, and reputation for reliability, the 1988 Jeep Cherokee continued to hang onto its niche in the ever-growing compact SUV market.  A tough, reliable vehicle for passenger and business use, the '88 Cherokee was a strong seller in the US, as well as increasingly popular in the international market.

Some of the features that had made earlier SJ-Series Cherokees so popular with the off-road set remained in the XJ-Series Cherokee.  High ground clearance and rugged four-wheel drive took the 1988 Cherokee over a variety of terrains with ease; its hefty metal construction enabled it to brave the elements and the wilderness.

The previous year's introduction of a new fuel-injected inline-6 proved to be a boon to the Cherokee's popularity.  The '88 Jeep Cherokee shipped off the line with a 2.5 liter AMC inline-4, clocked at 121 horsepower; as of this model year, buyers could upgrade to a new 4.0 liter AMC fuel-injected inline-6, which put out a healthy 173 horsepower.