This Cherokee was equipped with the stiffer Up-Country suspension package ($725) and four-wheel drive, making it even firmer than two-wheel drive versions.

The Cherokee will pogo a bit on uneven pavement -- certain stretches of I-80 in Pennsylvania, for example, stretches that cause big rig drivers to cruise in the left lane for slightly smoother going.

On rutty dirt roads in the Pennsylvania outback, the Cherokee showed its true colors. The combination of good ground clearance, short wheelbase and a favorable power-to-weight ratio make this boxy little veteran a tiger in the woods. The Selec-Trac four-wheel drive system, which can be used full-time, came in handy during a mini-blizzard that choked part of central Pennsylvania during this particular excursion.

Thanks to its relatively low curb weight, the Cherokee is something of an athlete among its peers. The Cherokee will smoke almost any other compact sport-utility on a slalom course, and it's handier than most when it's time to dodge traffic and potholes. Its on-center steering feel leaves much to be desired, however.

Cherokee's optional four-speed automatic is a smooth operator, and there's enough torque in the venerable inline six-cylinder engine to generate excellent stoplight getaway, automatic or not. As always, we'd prefer a manual transmission.

Power notwithstanding, the Cherokee's optional six-cylinder engine feels a little primitive compared to most of the V6 engines offered by Jeep's competitors. An inline-6 is supposed to be an ideal design for smooth operation, but Jeep's version generates noticeable vibration through most of its operating range. On the other hand, it's a far better choice than the Cherokee's basic 2.5-liter four-cylinder, which is distinctly short on power.