This is the full story of the Jeep Cherokee — the surprisingly French, world's-first 5-door, unit-body compact SUV. — responsible for cementing the recipe for today's most popular body style. Meant to replace the full-size "SJ" Jeep Wagoneer (later known as the Grand Wagoneer,) the XJ (for "Experimental Jeep") did something no other "four-wheel-drive" had: prioritized efficiency, ergonomics, and on-road driving dynamics. It was 21 inches shorter, 6 inches narrower, and 1000 lb lighter than the SJ, but had 90% as much interior volume. With an innovative new 2.5-liter four-cylinder, it was vastly quicker and more efficient, too. At the time of its late development, American Motors Corporation (AMC) was owned by the French company Renault, which certainly had an influence in the soft ride and adept handling. And also the styling — done in America, and certainly influenced by both the Land Rover Range Rover (Classic), which in turn had been influenced by the SJ Wagoneer. (To say nothin