The LA Auto Show is a cornucopia of new product announcements, and the latest automaker we’ve heard from is Stellantis. As covered by Automotive News, the hot news is that Jeep will be bringing a new hybrid to market in 2025.
Jeep CEO Antonio Filosa confirmed the new model, stating the utility vehicle would serve as a replacement for the Cherokee. Production of the long-running crossover ended in 2023, which saw Jeep’s Belvidere Assembly plant in Illinois idled. The nameplate left the market after 49 consecutive model years in production.
It’s not the first we’ve heard of this model. Indeed, Filosa mentioned it back in May this year, noting the brand would develop a mainstream midsize replacement to fill the gap left by the departing Cherokee. It’s obvious that Jeep is eager to improve its coverage across different market segments, but the question is— where is this new model coming from?
Hm!
We’re told the new model will be a hybrid, but not a plug-in model. That will stand it apart from models like the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, which is the best selling plug-in hybrid in the country. Comments from Filosa in May noted that the vehicle’s platform would allow for an EV version down the line if so desired. That comment gives us a key clue. This is because the STLA Medium and Large platforms have both been cited as capable of being used in both conventionally powered and electric vehicles.
As a midsizer, we could speculate that this is probably going to end up on the STLA Medium platform. However, speaking to Automotive News earlier this year, AutoForecast Solutions noted it expected the model to be built in Mexico on the STLA Large platform instead. Additionally, as pointed out in the comments, Stellantis already announced STLA Medium will be used to underpin a new Jeep Compass that’ll be built in Canada and look like this:
That gives credence to the STLA Large concept, but let’s explore both eventualities.
It’s possible that Jeep is going with an all-original model, but it’s perhaps unlikely. The fact is, we haven’t heard a whole lot about this model up until now, and it’s apparently less than a year away from going on sale. If Jeep was going with a standalone, original design, we’d have expected to have seen some spy shots by now of mules out in the wild.
It seems more likely that Jeep will instead retool an existing model from the broader Stellantis stable. Examining the Stellantis lineup, there are a few possibilities.
When it comes to the STLA Medium platform, Peugeot currently has the 3008 SUV. It’s available as both a mild hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, and an EV, with the latter referred to as the e-3008. The larger Peugeot 5008 follows the same brief on the same platform, with similar drivetrain options. Then there’s the Vauxhall/Opel Grandland, another twist on the format with a unique design inside and out, but largely the same underpinnings.
It would be pretty straightforward for Jeep to grab one of these models and retool it a little to create a Cherokee replacement for the American market. Stellantis has form in this area, such as when it turned the Alfa Romeo Tonale into the troubled Dodge Hornet. That vehicle, based on the aging FCA Small Wide platform, has been relatively unsuccessful in the US and isn’t really relevant to Jeep’s goals.
We had The Bishop whip up a quick concept image of a rebadged Peugeot 3008. It takes to the seven-slot grille pretty well, if you ask me, and it looks muscular and modern enough to win some buyers over. As for the practicality of such a move, that’s an open question. Currently, the Opel and Peugeot offerings on the STLA Medium platform are built in France and Germany. One would suspect Jeep would want to build its new hybrid domestically, especially given geopolitical realities, though it’s not a given.
But what about STLA Large? The longitudinal engine version of that platform will underpin the Dodge Charger, as well as the new Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Giulia and the Maserate Levante. It seems unlikely that this platform would be suitable for a mainstream Cherokee replacement; the transverse STLA Large platform would seem more likely. Jeep already has the Wagoneer S and full-EV Recon designated to use that platform.
However, there’s not really anything Cherokee-like that already exists on STLA Large. It’s possible that Jeep has something ready to go. Somehow, though, a cheaper rebrand of an existing STLA Medium vehicle, like the Peugeot 3008, seems more likely. Will it wear the Cherokee name? It seems likely. When discussing the new model earlier this year, Filosa told the media they “could probably guess what it would be called.”
In any case, we won’t have long to wait. 2025 is just weeks away at this point, and Jeep is champing at the bit to get back into the compact SUV segment vacated by the Cherokee. When the news drops, we’ll have all the gossip on the new Jeep hybrid. Same car time, same car channel.
Image credits: Jeep, Stellantis, Peugeot, Opel
I really want to hope they remember what Jeep has been and don’t attempt further dilution of the brand with a bland rebadge of a Euro body. I agree with comments below, thats a great idea for reviving Chrysler, or expanding Dodge’s lineup, but not for Jeep.
Nah, it’ll be the Liberty. Because ‘Murica.
What if the Cherokee is just the ICE/hybrid version of the Recon?
If you ask me, the Cherokee is one of the biggest single opportunities in the entire US market right now to hit a sales home run. It sits in the exact part of the venn diagram where all the biggest current automotive trends meet: small/midsize crossovers, overlanding chic, and relative affordability.
The crazy thing is, they could do it using the exact same formula that Jeep used 40 years ago with the XJ.
If Stellantis instead gives us a French suppository with a 7-slot grill, they might as well do their product unveiling in The Onion.
Responding to my own comment, here’s what I do if I’m Stellantis and don’t have an obvious platform to do a new Cherokee the right way:
1) Take whatever badge-engineered abomination I was planning already, and put it on the market as scheduled to fill the current gap in the Jeep lineup, but call it something nobody cares about, like Liberty.
2) Call up Toyota and ask them to design and build me a Cherokee on their TNGA truck platform styled as a modern take on an 80s XJ. Make it a few inches shorter than a 4Runner, hybrid-only, tuned more for efficiency vs power, and priced just a nick below the 4Runner.
3) Set up ropes in front of my Jeep dealership to contain the crowds of people lined up for a super stylish and off-road capable modern Jeep built with Toyota reliability.
This will basically print money so obviously Stellantis (ask your doctor if Stellantis is right for you…) would never do it
Toyota would not build something for a company they are very obviously aiming to compete with, showing how much that TNGA-platform is set up for off-roaders.
Plus, TNGA is a framed platform. The most well-known and loved Cherokee’s have had unibody’s (XJ). It’d make more sense to build one closer to the XJ then the old SJ’s.
After seeing this I’m even happier I just purchased a clean, low mileage, one owner, 98 xj classic. There will definitely never be anything else like it.
I just finished restoring a 98 XJ. I kept it stock for the reliability and driveabity. It’s almost the perfect vehicle. It does everything I need, and I don’t see myself wanting a newer Cherokee unless Stellantis really knocks it out of the park with the new Cherokee design. Given Stallantis’ track record, my expectations are low.
The value in Jeep is its Jeepiness (rugged, off-road capable, tough appearance, slightly spartan). The Cherokee made (stole?) its name by being a real Jeep you could also use for practical things. I have accepted the market need for a soft-road Jeep like the Compass but the Cherokee should be a real Jeep, definitely not a Peugeot.
That’s the strange thing. The XJ Cherokee was the second Jeep Cherokee. The first one was on the same platform as the grand wagoneer, a basic but very capable of roader. You know, a real Jeep.
I’ll never understand why they didn’t turn one of these into the Hornet. Successful or not, the notion of turning an Italian built Alfa into a Dodge is hilarious. Has an Alfa EVER been chosen as a base for a badge engineering job? The Saab 9000/Alfa 164/Lancia Thema/Fiat Croma were, as far as I understand, a joint venture and more than a badge engineering job.
The Giulietta was the basis of the Dart, which the chassis was named Compact Wide. From there, the new Cherokee, 200, and Pacifica/Voyager were all built off that platform.
Yup! Forgot about those. Those are more than badge engineering though.
What a mega-flop that Cherokee would be. Woof. But I would believe it if it happened. Because Stellantis.
The Peugeots would make for pretty nice Chrysler badge jobs though, as I’ve been saying for years now. They’re softer looking euro cars that while they certainly wouldn’t make much sense for the brand’s yesteryear, would make sense for a reimagining of the brand as a mainstream middle of the road sort of thing. A way for Stellantis to bring in customers whose ethos isn’t YOU WANT TO CLIMB BOULDERS? (Jeep), or YOU WANT TO PISS OFF YOUR NIEGHBORS? (Dodge/Ram), or YOU WANT YOUR CAR TO LIVE AT THE DEALER? (Alfa). The company doesn’t offer anything to regular-ass people, and maybe that would be a path. Bring the Peugeots, badge them as Chryslers, slap a legit warranty onto them to differentiate from the Toyotas/Hondas of the world and boom, sales.
I think bringing Peugeots in as Chryslers is spot on and would be a great way to bring Chrysler back from the depths of the Pacifica.
Look, those Peugeots look nice and all, but can we please return the Cherokee to its roots? A utilitarian, unibody, go anywhere SUV with a small footprint. I still mourn my beloved and long gone 1999 XJ Classic. Nothing on the market since has ever been what that mighty little Cherokee was.
I am afraid that is not a chance. Stellantis didn’t buy all these brands to make more bespoke vehicles.
I’d also say keep the simplicity and ability to take abuse. As for go-anywhere capability, equivalent to a Subaru would be fine with me. If the Cherokee came back as something similar to a barebones EV version of a crosstrek wagon, I’d be quite happy to have one to complement the old 96 XJ I use for offroading.
Not be that guy, but if we’re going for it’s roots it should be a shorter and cheaper Grand Wagoneer https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_Cherokee_(SJ)
Not sure about Europe, but Stellantis is sure screwing up in North America. Bad quality, recalls, crazy price increases, product planning strategy fails, etc. Jeep and Ram are their two stalwart brands and both down a lot in sales.
Love the Bishop, but I feel like the mock up assumes the laziest possible rebadge job (though, now that I say it that’s a perfectly Stellantis move…).
Sure, they’ll slap the 7 slats onto the grille, but why retain the exact lower fascia from the Peugeot? Seems like the bumper is an easy target for re-design. $100 says they’d bring in the wide trapezoidal shapes from Grand Cherokee to try to retain the family resemblance.
Hey, I got that message to “slap a Jeep grille on this” at 9PM. So I did. No idea what I was even doing it for!
But sadly, look at Tonale and Hornet. As you said, that’s pretty lazy…
Ha, well maybe Carlos Tavares (not pictured above, sadly) will give you a similar call soon!
I’m not sure what about recent Stellantis convinces you they’d do anything but the lowest effort
TOO TRUE Tim, too true.
Blander than a bag of potato chips.
If the new Cherokee looks like the rendering I will be sad. It really needs to be a modernized 1980s version platform sharing be damned.
Build it at belvidere
Imagine being in charge of Stellantis and saying, “Yea, we don’t need a replacement for the Cherokee at this time.” Absolutely bonkers
They also didn’t need an immediate replacement for the 300, Charger, Challenger. Apparently having a variety of products to sell is not a priority at Stellantis.
They need to synergize and go lean to create value in a dynamic market.
That’ll be $574,382. I work cheap.
From yesterday’s Morning Dump:
““We just do things in a proper way,” Tavares said…”
Indeed.
I just want to point out that the 3008 you took as a basis isn’t built on the STLA platform, as it is a previous gen. Same for the 5008 and Grandland pictured here. Of those you show, only the e3008 is the last one. Personnaly, I would rebadge the new Opel Crossland as a Chrysler (Aspen ?), and eventually the 5008 as a Dodge (Journey ?) but I wouldn’t do a badge-engineered Jeep. New Compass looks big enough to replace both old Compass and old Cherokee. Eventually, the one I expect to share a lot of pieces with other Stellantis products is the next Renegade, on the “Smart Cars” platform (shared with C3 Aircross, Frontera…)
Making a boring crossover aping a Toyota or a Honda? People will just go buy the better quality Toyota or Honda. Make Jeeps Jeeps, that people want to buy.
Right. Unless it is significantly cheaper, I can’t imagine buying a Jeep transportation appliance over a Toyota or Honda. Or even over Hyundai/Kia (they at least have a long warranty).
Same with VW. Why on Earth would I buy a Tiguan over a CR-V?
Why you wouldn’t buy a Tiguan over a CR-V?!?!?!?!?
…
I’ve got nothing, carry on.
Cost was a big issue with the outgoing Cherokee, from my perspective. It’s an issue for Jeep in general, I think, and I’m not sure if it’s because they need to raise prices to maintain margins or if they thought they could just do it and make the money instead of dealers making it with markups.
My previous work vehicle was a ’21 cherokee, well optioned. Window sticker in the glovebox said that was a $33k car when it was new. When I got it in ’23, I went on the jeep website and configured an identical one – $38k. Who’s paying that for a Cherokee?
They really should take this opportunity to drop the Cherokee name, honestly. It’s pretty amazing they’ve been able to avoid that for this long, but I’m pretty sure the Chrokee Nation has officially requested that they stop
There was some noise about this a couple years ago and Jeep was adamant they weren’t dropping it anytime soon. Mojave on the Gladiator also probably needs to go, although they probably would claim it is named after the desert, not the people the desert is named after.
Just don’t change the name to Liberty again *barf*
Liberty was a dumb name, but it didn’t seem to hurt sales. Seems to be a go-to bland, inoffensive replacement for problematic names (eg, the lame “Fort Liberty”, really, there was no worthy person they could rename it after?)
Pandering to the “patriots” also a dumb car name. You may as well call it the Jeep Flag waver.
And if they do claim that Mojave is named after the desert, they would be able to back up that claim; they have already made Sahara, Rubicon, Islander, ect
I think they really did name it after the desert, not the people. I actually didn’t know that the Mojave were a people, and most people probably don’t either.
Which was always GM’s cover on Pontiac, named after the city in Oakland County where Oakland and Pontiac were historically headquartered, not after the historical figure the city itself is named after
They could lean hard into a portion of their demographic and call it the ATJ for Angry Tactical Jeep
Resuscitating the Cherokee name just to rebadge Peugeot?
Stellantis will be back to those glory days in no time at this rate!
Do you think the last one was on some special platform? It was the pretty generic sounding “Fiat Compact Wide” platform
I believe we have collectively chosen to deny the existence of any Cherokee since the XJ.
IDK, the KL was certainly an improvement over the KK, and they did sell a boat load of them. It wasn’t exactly the glory days of “hardcore” Jeep, but it was kind of the glory days of FCA. I’m sure that any automaker would be glad to have had that portfolio moment
The KL was the exact right product at the right time too. Not just against GM/Ford rivals but had competitive pricing and rated MPG against a CR-V or RAV4, and could be loaded up with any degree of tech or creature comforts. The buzz from “return of the Cherokee” helped at the time, but even if they had gone with a different name it was a very relevant product. They let it wither and now no CDJR brand has a direct competitor in the highest volume segment.
Knowing Stellantis, it will start at $50k.
It’s just another nameplate they canceled without having a replacement ready. Such boneheaded strategy.
Why not make it look a bit more like an XJ?
So one of the
worst Heepsmost popular Jeeps is coming back? Interesting.You forgot the next gen Compass, which will use STLA Medium and be built in Canada. I’m inclined to see a new Cherokee/Liberty (Commander?) off STLA Large.
A new Liberty would be wild honestly.
It’s essentially the gas version of the Wagoneer S. None of the PSA cars are built for our market, so they’d have to crash test a rebadge.
Yes, but European standards are similar enough to ours that it wouldn’t entail a full rebuild like a Chinese or South American car would. Minor tweaks which they’d be doing to make it look like a Jeep anyway and they could make it work.
If that’s being done, it’ll be for the Compass on STLA Medium. The Cherokee is definitely going to be on Large, of which there’s only 2 vehicles being built on it: the Wagoneer S & Charger.
Maybe. I could honestly see them make the compass a slightly downsized medium and the Cherokee a slightly stretched one. Even with the same wheelbase, but just shrink the cargo area on the one by 6 inches or so, and stretch the other by the same. Just look at Toyota’s overlapping SUVs. You don’t necessarily have to have them in different classes. I hate it, but that’s the reality these days.
That strategy only works for Toyota because they have the ability to actually sell cars.
I had the same thought at first, but Honda does it with the pilot and passport. Mazda has the CX-90 and 70? 80? Whichever one is just the 90 but with the third row yanked out. I do not follow Chevy much but it seems like they have significant overlap with some of their products as well. Trax-Trailblazer, Blazer-Equinox etc. So it’s pretty common. Not sure Jeep can pull it off though I agree on that point.
The only real overlap right now in Toyota’s lineup seems like it will be the 4Runner-Land Cruiser. Highlander seems like it could go away or evolve (EV?) once the current one ages out. Blazer-Equinox have powertrain differences, the Hondas are nearly a foot apart in size, the Mazdas are most egregious. Sounds more like how some of the luxury brands have things structured, like a Cayenne/Cayenne Coupe, X5/X6 etc type deal. Wagoneer S is close to the Grand Cherokee in size, but styling should separate them if the Cherokee is a gas/hybrid of the former.
Jeep manages to have overlap themselves more than segment competitors. Renegade-Compass and Compass-Cherokee were close with each another sizewise and had the same standard engine for a while. If you’re a full CDJR dealer the Hornet is about the same size, which is an issue for the Dodge because the Compass looks better to most people and has a similar 2.0T powertrain standard.
Circling back to PSA, they were talking about a Peugeot re-entry to the US years ago, and abandoned that plan not long after Stellantis was established. But assuming they were developing products with US federalization in mind, it would seem like it would make sense to fill out US showrooms with some PSA models.
I was saying they should stretch one and compact the other so there would be close to a foot of difference. That’s not that hard to do on the same platform.
The Brazilian market Commander would have fit the bill there – a stretched Compass. A bit large for the CR-V/etc class, but it would be a closer match. It’s 3-rows which they could skip if they’re worried about cannibalizing the Grand Cherokee L, but the GC still has the V6 for now, so it would work like a Sorento/Telluride split.
And as for Toyota, the highlander and 4runner are solidly in the same size bracket, I know one is an SUV and one a CUV, but I know several people who cross shopped them. The LC and Sequoia are quite similar as well. Corolla cross and Venza, or if the Venza is too fancy for that, then the Venza and the Crown Signia. Point is, there are not 10 classes of vehicles in the SUV/CUV segment, and Toyota has 10 entries there.
The Venza is already discontinued after 2024 with the Crown Signia’s intro. The latter is close to the Highlander, but that seems likely to move on especially with the Grand out. The Venza was much larger than the Cross too.
Price put a pretty clear distinction between LC/Sequoia before. New LC is actually cheaper but smaller and 2 rows, more physical space between them. But then it’s just closer to the 4Runner which makes that proximity stranger.
4Runner/Highlander sure just based on size, but it’s always been pretty easy to pick out differences between them. And that’s the difference for Toyota, there’s still distinct purposes behind most models. The Renegade/Compass/Cherokee were less so. (And yet somehow with all the new model talk they still have a gaping product hole against the CR-V/RAV4/etc.)
Given how badly Stellantis has botched pretty much everything recently, I fully expect them to just release a badge engineered version of the Hornet as the Cherokee.
Trail(er) Rated®
I bow to your superior comment.