- Prototype sightings reveal design similarities between the new Cherokee and the Wagoneer S.
- The new Jeep will be larger, offering more interior space and an upgraded digital cockpit.
- The compact SUV will share its STLA Large architecture with the Wagoneer S and the Recon.
Jeep’s lineup has been missing a familiar face lately – and not just any face, but the one that helped define the brand’s modern SUV identity. The Cherokee quietly bowed out in 2023, leaving a clear gap between the smaller Compass and the larger Grand Cherokee. Now, Stellantis looks set to fill that space with a new successor aimed squarely at the middle ground Jeep has been missing.
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While talk about a new mid-size Jeep SUV has circulated for some time, the development has moved beyond speculation. Camouflaged prototypes have begun appearing on public roads, and a leaked Stellantis dealership memo suggests a formal reveal is already penciled in for October 1st of this year.
What Will It Be Called?
The big question surrounding Jeep’s upcoming model isn’t just how it’ll look, but what it’ll be called. Ongoing discussions between Jeep and the Cherokee Nation over the use of the name have led the company to refer to the SUV, somewhat vaguely, as a “new mainstream Utility Vehicle.”
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This leaves the door open for a possible name change, though nothing official has been confirmed. For what it’s worth, the leaked dealer memo refers to it as the “New Cherokee,” so the original name might still be in play.
New Styling Direction
Recent spy shots of the new SUV suggest that Jeep is pulling stylistic inspiration from its recent electric offerings, particularly the Wagoneer S. Despite the heavy camouflage, the overall silhouette has been clear enough to prompt digital artist Nikita Chuyko to create a set of renderings for Kolesa.
At the front, the SUV is expected to feature slimmer headlights flanking a narrower take on Jeep’s signature seven-slot grille. The bumper intakes draw design cues from the Wagoneer S, as well as from the Cherokee teaser Jeep shared back in 2021.
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The profile of the Cherokee successor closely resembles the Wagoneer S, carrying over similar wheel arches and door handles. However, both the spy shots and teaser images reveal a thicker, body-colored D-pillar that leads to a more upright rear. This change is likely to result in a larger cargo area, an important consideration for buyers in this segment.
High-Tech Cabin, More Space
Inside, the Cherokee successor is expected to share much of its tech with the Wagoneer S and other new-generation Jeep models. That likely includes a digital-heavy dashboard, with multiple screens integrated across the cockpit and center console.
It won’t just be a tech upgrade, though. Thanks to its expanded footprint, the interior should be noticeably roomier than any previous Cherokee. Some sources suggest it may even surpass the Wagoneer S’s 192.4-inch (4,887 mm) length, while maintaining the same 113-inch (2,870 mm) wheelbase.
That would bring it closer than ever to the Grand Cherokee in terms of size, while creating a safe distance from the new generation of the Compass, whose North American debut has been delayed, even as its European rollout moves forward this spring.
Underpinnings and Powertrains
Jeep has confirmed that the new SUV will ride on Stellantis’ STLA Large architecture, the same platform underpinning both the Wagoneer S and the upcoming Recon. As for what will power it, expect traditional internal combustion engines alongside hybrid options at launch, with an all-electric version likely arriving later. That EV variant would complete Jeep’s increasingly electrified lineup.
Leaked documents indicate production is scheduled to begin in the United States around October 2025. That timeline points to a possible debut sometime in the coming months, likely well before production ramps up.
