A Tale of Special Editions: Cherokee Special Editions Through the Years

Everywhere you look in the automotive industry, you’ll discover that driver feedback begets innovation. In the 1960s, the Jeep CJ, known as the modern-day Wrangler, earned its stripes for its four-wheel drive capability. However, even the icon had its shortcomings. Its small size put restrictions on who could venture off the pavement, specifically families looking to satisfy their penchant for adventure. So, what was Jeep’s solution? You’ve already found it in your search for a used Jeep Cherokee.

Taking inspiration from the luxurious Wagoneer, the Cherokee made its official debut in 1974 as a two-door SUV designed with families in mind. The Cherokee immediately distinguished itself with its bucket seats, modern design features, and sport steering wheel, all of which made it attractive to younger drivers. This unique design and the Cherokee’s ability to deliver Jeep’s iconic capability on a larger scale earned it high praise across the industry, including the first-ever Achievement Award from Four Wheeler magazine in 1974. Today, that honor is known as the prestigious Four Wheeler of the Year Award.

By the 1980s, the Cherokee further distinguished itself with its unibody platform, giving it truck-like capability with car-like handling and efficiency. From there, it inspired the most popular and most awarded Jeep in history, the Grand Cherokee, and has since remained a prominent feature in the Jeep fleet. Today, it’s known as one of the most versatile SUVs in the industry and is even more popular on the used lot, thanks to its many special editions that make any search for a used Jeep Cherokee an exciting endeavor and an easy way to showcase your membership in the Jeep Wave family.

80th Anniversary Edition (2021)

Jeep celebrates its 80th anniversary in America in style with an exclusive 80th Anniversary Special Edition lineup that exudes luxury. Debuting in 2021, the Cherokee 80th Anniversary Edition is based on the all-new Cherokee Latitude LUX trim. With the LUX already fit for a king or queen, you can only imagine the resplendence that the 80th Anniversary Edition offers.

The 2021 Cherokee Latitude LUX adds a dual-pane panoramic sunroof to give Cherokee drivers a taste of Jeep’s iconic open-air freedom. In addition, the luxury trim also adds an 8.4-inch touchscreen display with the updated Uconnect infotainment system and a premium nine-speaker sound system from Alpine. So, how can the 80th Anniversary Edition get any better?

The all-new special edition model dresses the Cherokee in its finest. It adds 19-inch Granite Crystal wheels that immediately give the SUV a sophisticated aesthetic. Inside, the driver and front passenger enjoy power seats with lumbar support and premium leather seating with Light Tungsten accent stitching. In addition, dual-zone automatic temperature control guarantees every passenger, even those in the second row, are comfortable. But of course, the driver enjoys even more perks with conveniences like remote start and a 7-inch full-color driver information display that puts vital information within immediate view.

Overland (2017)

Jeep introduced the Cherokee Overland in mid-2016 to widespread acclaim. Its ability to combine rugged capability with luxury earned high praise among Cherokee fans and off-roaders alike. After all, who said trekking in the woods meant sacrificing comfort?

But what made the Cherokee Overland so special? The Overland added opulent upgrades like a leather-wrapped instrument panel, an exclusive Jeep steering wheel with Zebrano wood trim, and Nappa leather seating. Heated and ventilated front seats added next-level comfort, while the premium Alpine audio system delivered an immersive listening experience throughout the cabin.

Sport Altitude and High Altitude Special Editions (2017)

The Sport Altitude and High Altitude special editions joined the Overland in the Cherokee’s 2017 lineup. Taking inspiration from the Cherokee Sport, the Sport Altitude differentiated itself with 18-inch Gloss Black aluminum wheels and a Gloss Black exterior treatment stretching from its roof rack and grille surrounds to its badging and fascia applique. From the inside, the Sport Altitude added sophistication with its deep-tint sunscreen glass and leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated audio controls for added convenience.

The mid-tier Cherokee Limited inspired the 2017 High Altitude Special Edition. In addition to the Limited’s standard features, the High Altitude added the same 18-inch Gloss Black aluminum wheels and Gloss Black exterior treatment package found on the Sport Altitude. These features paired exceptionally well with the Limited’s long list of standard luxuries like leather seating, woodgrain interior trim, ventilated front seats, and a power liftgate.

75th Anniversary Special Edition (2016)

To commemorate its 75 years as a leader in four-wheel drive capability and open-air adventures, Jeep debuted an exclusive lineup of 75th Anniversary Special Edition models. The Cherokee’s 75th Anniversary Special Edition was a limited production run available until December 2016. The iconic SUV introduced a Recon Green exterior but was also available in Granite Crystal, Brilliant Black, Bright White, and Billet Silver. Also, taking several design cues from the Latitude, the special edition added 18-inch Satin Bronze wheels, badging, and accents. Inside, it distinguished itself with a dual-pane sunroof, an updated 8.4-inch touchscreen radio, and exclusive cloth upholstery with Tangerine accent stitching.

70th Anniversary Special Edition (2011)

Jeep’s celebration of its rich heritage in the American automotive landscape is nothing new, with the automaker commemorating each momentous occasion with a special edition model. In 2011, Jeep celebrated with its 70th Anniversary Special Edition lineup. The models paid homage to Jeep’s legendary history, introducing an exclusive Bronze Star exterior paint color as a nod to its military heritage.

At the time, the Cherokee was known as the Liberty in Jeep’s North American lineup. The 70th Anniversary Special Edition was available on the Liberty Sport, and Liberty Limited trims in Bronze Star, Bright Silver, or Black. Along with the other anniversary edition models for the Patriot, Grand Cherokee, and Wrangler, the Liberty 70th Anniversary Edition added exclusive 18-inch Mopar wheels with polished faces and painted pockets, 70th Anniversary badging, and bright body-side moldings and roof rails.

The Liberty’s interior showcased Jeep’s keen attention to detail, immediately drawing attention to the exclusive gauge cluster and the leather steering wheel with Chestnut accents. Satin chrome accents complimented the design, pairing exceptionally well with the Dark Olive and Dark Slate leather seating with Chestnut accent stitching. No detail was untouched, with even the armrest, center console, and floor mats outfitted in Dark Olive with Chestnut accents and binding.

A History of Special Editions

The Cherokee is often credited with launching the SUV craze in America. First introduced in the mid-1970s, the first-generation Cherokee made adventure more accessible to the masses, introducing families to Jeep’s legendary capability and giving them the freedom to explore beyond the pavement. By the Cherokee’s second-generation debut in the 1980s, the model revolutionized the segment with its versatility, earning top honors as the most awarded four-wheel drive SUV to date.

The Cherokee’s early success inspired the debut of its larger sibling, the Grand Cherokee. Yet, ironically, the Grand Cherokee often keeps the Cherokee in the shadows. A quick search for the Cherokee and its special editions proves as much, with most highlight reels dedicated to its presumably grander sibling. And that’s a shame.

The Cherokee set the benchmark for the SUV segment in America. Most notably, its special edition models gave Jeep fans reason for celebration and more ways to show off their unique personalities. The trend is more apparent today with Jeep’s recent 80th Anniversary celebration; however, it’s been decades in the making with Cherokee special editions dating back to the 1980s with models like the Pioneer Olympic Edition, Chief, Golden Eagle, and Golden Hawk. These models are rare finds, collectors to many, and lay the foundation for everything America and drivers like you love about the legendary Cherokee.