And the difference between the sport and the classic other than the color of the trim?

 

Thats about it. Either could come with steel or alloy wheels. Overhead console, remote entry, etc.
Scroll down on this link and it describes all the trim packages.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_Cherokee_(XJ)

 

From my 1999 'Jeep Book' sales brochure options list, the following are features that are different on the Sport and Classic:
Air Dam
- Black on Sport
- Body color on Classic
Bumper End Caps - Black on Sport
- Body-color on Classic
Seats
- Gilmore cloth with high-back wing buckets on Sport
- Gilmore cloth with low-back, wing buckets and adjustable locking head restraints on Classic
Wheels
- 15"x7" Full-face steel on Sport
- 15"x7" Ecco cast aluminum painted Dark Quartz on Classic

The following features are standard on the Classic and optional on the Sport:
- 4.0L I-6 with 4-Speed Automatic
- Axle Ratio - 3.55:1
- Floor Mats - Front and rear
- Mirrors - Dual folding power
- Roof Rack - Black
- Steering Wheel - Leather-wrapped
- Wiper System - Liftgate - intermittent

All of those features are included with the popular equipment package for the Sport. There are more features that I didn't list that are standard on both, or optional for both, but I just focused on the differences.

I suspect the majority of Sports in 1999 left with the popular equipment package, making the bumper caps, seats and wheels the true difference between the two.

 

A lot that comes on higher end models of vehicles in general seem to be available as options for the lower models. However, I love having the body colored bumpers and fenders. And my wheels are pretty nice for stock ones.

 

Has anyone noticed that most Classic owners paint the bumper ext. grill, flares black and change wheels?

My Sport has about all the options offered on it as ordered.

 

Yeah I did notice that...my flares, trim, and grill are all still white, with the classic emblems intact! I plan on keeping it that way even though I did have to paint the rockers black due to rust

 

1996 and earlier is different. My 96 Classic came with black bumpers and endcaps. Black door trim (the only color offered). Flares and grill are body-color. Wheels were alloy Gambler 5 hole.

My 1991 Laredo XJ had chrome bumpers, mirrors,window trim.