- Stellantis has confirmed plans to introduce “three all-new Jeep nameplates.”
- This suggests the company may drop the iconic Cherokee moniker.
- Regardless of what the model is called, it’s expected to debut later this year.
The Jeep Cherokee helped to popularize SUVs and was a hit with consumers. However, Stellantis hiked prices and sales predictably plummeted.
The model was eventually discontinued in 2023 without a replacement, but the company hasn’t been shy about its eventual return. That’s inching closer as Stellantis recently announced plans for “three all-new Jeep nameplates.”
More: Gas-Powered Dodge Charger Arrives This Summer, 3 New Jeeps Coming Too
The wording is curious and suggests Jeep might not use the iconic Cherokee moniker on their upcoming mid-size SUV. This isn’t even the first time the company has avoided using the name as they’ve previously referred to the model as the “New Mainstream UV [Utility Vehicle].”
This appears to be a shift as Jeep CEO Antonio Filosa had implied the crossover would retain the Cherokee name. While he didn’t confirm it, the executive told Car & Driver you can “probably guess what it will be called.”
If Jeep has indeed decided to avoid using the Cherokee name, it wouldn’t be the first time. When the Cherokee XJ was retired, Jeep replaced it with the Liberty. It survived for two generations, before being replaced by the 2014 Cherokee KL.
The use of the Cherokee name has proven controversial, especially as many high schools and professional sports teams have retired monikers that could be considered offensive. High profile examples include the Cleveland Indians and the Washington Redskins, which are now the Commanders. In an ironic twist of fate, the Commanders almost faced off against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl.
Amid this background, the Cherokee Nation asked Jeep to stop using their name in 2021. However, the company eventually declined and released a statement saying, “Our vehicle names have been carefully chosen and nurtured over the years to honor and celebrate Native American people for their nobility, prowess, and pride.”
The Cherokee or Cherokee successor, whatever it’s called, is expected to go into production later this year and be offered with gasoline and hybrid powertrains. Since it’s a D-segment crossover like the Recon and Wagoneer S, it should ride on the STLA Large platform.
While only time will tell what Jeep has up their sleeve, the company has already confirmed plans for an all-new Recon as well as redesigned versions of the Compass and Renegade. A Gladiator 4xe is also due later this year, while a range-extended Wagoneer is also on the horizon.
