As the SUV began its inexorable rise in popularity, at least in the American market, the 1986 Jeep Cherokee benefited from the growth of this market niche. Its solid unibody construction and reputation for reliability made it a popular choice for drivers looking for a compact sport utility vehicle with a roomy cabin and plenty of cargo space.

The '86 Cherokee retained some of the features that had made earlier Cherokees so popular with the off-road set; high ground clearance and rugged four-wheel drive took the SUV over a variety of terrains with ease. Quadra-Link suspension helped add to the Cherokee's reputation as a tough 4x4 vehicle.

Enginewise, there wasn't much to write home about. The 1986 Cherokee shipped off the line with a 2.5 liter AMC inline-4, clocked at 121 horsepower; the other option for 1984 models was the GM 60-Degree V62 (the two-barrel carburetor version designed for the Chevy S-10 and Blazer), delivering 115 horsepower and 150 lb.-ft. of torque.