1997 Jeep Cherokee: trims, real prices & how to pick yours

22 builds left the factory as a 1997 Cherokee, each a different combination of engine, transmission and body identified by the first eight characters of its VIN.

  • 9 main configurations
  • 1,509 vehicles built
  • 9 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

Sport · 4WD SE · 4WD Limited(Export)/Country · 4WD Sport
For sale right now 3 3 1 1
Vehicles built 666 238 221 120
Same on every 1997 Cherokee
  • Engine 4L 6-cyl
  • Drivetrain Four-wheel drive
  • Fuel Gasoline
  • Body Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)
  • Doors 4-door
  • Typical price today $8,138
Will it hold value?

A Cherokee typically keeps about 68% of its price over 5 years — a 5-year-old one runs about $5,495 today.

Cherokee depreciation by year →
Cost to run

14/20 mpg city/highway. Roughly $2,910/yr on fuel at 15,000 miles.

EPA estimate for the 1997 Cherokee

Safety, in plain English

What 1J4FT68S-V means

1J4 FT68S · V
1J4
the World Manufacturer Identifier Jeep registered — assembled in the United States
FT68S
together encode the Cherokee line — Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), 4L 6cyl — as Jeep filed it, these five characters are read as one block, not letter by letter
V
in position 10 — model year 1997
9, 11–17
differ on every car: check digit, plant code and the serial number
13 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.

1997 Jeep Cherokee prices →