Jeep Cherokee through the years

The 2014 Cherokee midsize SUV made its debut Wednesday at the New York International Auto Show. The remake is so radical that observers might not realize it’s a Jeep.

Look at the journey Jeep Cherokee took to get there.

This undated product image provided by Chrysler shows the 1981 Jeep Cherokee. The new Cherokee ditches Jeep’s traditional boxy look for a more aerodynamic style.

In 1984, American Motors released a new Cherokee that was smaller, narrower and lighter than the original, essentially inventing the sport utility vehicle. Sales soared.

This is the 1985 Jeep Cherokee. More than 100,000 Cherokees were sold each year between 1986 and 2001. Off-roaders were big fans because of the Cherokee’s capability.

In 2001, Jeep’s new owner, Chrysler, revamped the SUV again. It changed the name to Liberty, which tested better in focus groups and helped attract new buyers. The Liberty initially sold well, but then struggled as the midsize SUV market got more crowded.

A 2010 Jeep Liberty Limited is pictured.

Michelle Krebs, a senior analyst at Edmunds.com, says bringing back the Cherokee name makes sense, since it fits neatly under its larger sibling, the Grand Cherokee SUV.

Chrysler insists that the new Cherokee, pictured above, can capably tackle rough terrain. It has more low-gear power for towing and climbing steep grades than the 2001 Cherokee.

The 2014 Jeep Cherokee Trail Hawk was driven over obstacles during its presentation at the New York International Auto Show.