1989 Jeep Cherokee: trims, real prices & how to pick yours

15 builds left the factory as a 1989 Cherokee, each a different combination of engine, transmission and body identified by the first eight characters of its VIN.

  • 4 main configurations
  • 306 vehicles built
  • 5 for sale right now

Which Cherokee is yours?

Enter a VIN — the 17 characters on the windshield or the title — and we’ll match it to its exact factory configuration, typical price and equipment.

Works with any VIN — a different year or model takes you straight to its own page.

Pick your Cherokee

What actually differs

Laredo · 4WD Pioneer · 4WD Limited · 4WD 4WD
For sale right now 2 1 1 1
Vehicles built 128 65 39 26
Same on every 1989 Cherokee
  • Engine 4L 6-cyl
  • Power 177 hp
  • Drivetrain Four-wheel drive
  • Fuel Gasoline
  • Body Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)
  • Doors 4-door
Will it hold value?

A Cherokee typically keeps about 9% of its price over 5 years — a 5-year-old one runs about $500 today.

Cherokee depreciation by year →
Cost to run

16/22 mpg city/highway. Roughly $2,580/yr on fuel at 15,000 miles.

EPA estimate for the 1989 Cherokee

Safety, in plain English

What 1J4FJ38L-K means

1J4 FJ38L · K
1J4
the World Manufacturer Identifier Jeep registered — assembled in the United States
FJ38L
together encode the Cherokee line — Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), 4L 6cyl, Four-wheel drive — as Jeep filed it, these five characters are read as one block, not letter by letter
K
in position 10 — model year 1989
9, 11–17
differ on every car: check digit, plant code and the serial number
11 rare configurations — mostly fleet, export or irregular VIN patterns. Fewer than 20 known vehicles each.

Already looking at a specific Cherokee?

Paste its VIN — we’ll open that exact car’s page: its configuration, market position and every listing we’ve tracked.