You all seem to have missed my point, I never said Jeeps were not capable off-road. Basically Jeeps are great off-road it you don't mind
a) breaking down frequently, if you buy and older one, or if you buy a new one
b) spending WAAAYYY to much $$$, again $34,000 for a Rubicon is just ridiculous. and
c) fitting in with the crowd.
In defense of my Rodeo, when car shopping several years ago I considered the following vehicles, all several years old
Toyota 4runner- Liked them, but resale price was way to high, several thousand more them anything else.
Nissan Xterra- Liked them as well, loved the interior of them, couldn't find any old enough to fit my budget.
Jeep Cherokee- Didn't like them 2 outa 3 of I looked at the doors wouldn't close properly, I found out this is due to the unibody construction, basically once you flex one out your doors will never close right again. I also don't completely trust the Chrysler drivetrain. I've seen Toyotas, Nissans, and Isuzus with 300k + miles, I don't think Chrysler engineering is that good.
Rodeo- Fit my budget, like the interior as well, (though not as much as the Xterra) and Isuzu is well known for making dead-nuts reliable engines. Just look at how many Isuzu NPR diesels are running deliveries and cargo for hours on end everyday in all kinds of traffic. I am pleased with it, its got 140k on the odometer 60k of which I put on. I fully expect it to go to 250k at least. I am rougher then most SUV owners on it, (have the dents to prove it) and it has proven %100 reliable so far.
This is my second Jeep, hand a Wrangler with the "sqaure headlights" That thing would put any rodeo to shame on the trail...sorry Saggs as soon as you started comparing a Jeep to a rodeo you lost me.
BTW the new Cherokees come with a new 4x4 system that you dont have to engage, I couldnt even feel it kick in.....probably because I wasnt spinning at all 
I wasn't comparing Wranglers to Rodeos, they are a completely different vehicle class. The direct comparison would be Rodeo to Cherokee. Keep in mind they haven't sold the Rodeo in the US since 2004, so we're comparing older models.
Here's my take:
Suspension- Cherokee wins due to solid axle front
Clearance- Tie, both about the same when stock
Approach/Departure angles- Tie look the same to me.
4WD System- Honestly don't know, did the '99 Cherokees come with factory LSD? Where lockers an option?
Comfort- Rodeo wins due to roomier back seats.
Utility- I think the Rodeo has more cargo space, especially with the spare on the tailgate.
Reliability- Gotta go to Isuzu over Chrysler
Aftermarket- Cherokee, Jeep does have a much bigger aftermarket for parts.
Interior- It's subjective, but I prefer the Rodeos
But I dock the Cherokee 1pt. for the unibody construction, and 1pt just for being a Jeep.
Comparing stock to stock, I would say they are pretty equal in off-road capabilities.
The short wheelbase Isuzu Amigo, or Rodeo Sport would be a more accurate comparison to a Wrangler. Like I said earlier, my experience with the square headlight Wranglers was that they are horribly unreliable.
I realize most Rodeos you see are just mall crawlers, but so are most Jeeps.
Check this out for some Isuzus that definitely aren't mall crawlers.
http://forum.planetisuzoo.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album43&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.phpI loooove riling up Jeep owners.
But don't take it to seriously, I could care less what people wheel in as long as their having fun. My buddy use to
try and go off-road in a 1978 2wd Ford Courier p/u, never got very far, but had a ton of fun. I'm just not a Jeep fan, for those who are, carry on flaming me, trust me I'm used to Jeeps I pass on the trails looking down their noses at me. But I get to the end of the trail just as often as those Jeeps I pass.
The other thing nobodies brought up yet is driver talent. An experience off-road driver can get a lot more places in any rig, then a beginner. Example; This fall I drove up the final, very steep 1/2 mile to a local peak. I passed 2 Jeeps, (a Wrangler and Grand Cherokee) at the base of it, they didn't dare attempt it. There were two rock steps of about 18" to get over, then is was just very steep, loose rock to the top. I'm sure both those Jeeps could have made it up there, just as well as I did. But the drivers didn't have enough confidence/skill to attempt it, they were smart not to, if they had panicked and gotten sideways on that hill, they could have rolled a long ways.
My point is that driver skill/knowledge/confidence is a very big factor in off-road capabilities, as well as the rig your in.
