The Cherokee nameplate is one of Jeep’s most significant, but the last Cherokee was dropped in early 2023 without a successor in sight.
Jeep has now finally confirmed that a Cherokee successor is on the horizon, with brand boss Antonio Filosa announcing during last week’s 2024 Los Angeles auto show that a compact crossover to fill the void of the Cherokee is coming in 2025. Filosa didn’t confirm the crossover as a Cherokee, but earlier this year he said a compact crossover with a familiar name was coming.
In L.A., Filosa said the upcoming crossover will pack a hybrid powertrain. There was no mention of whether the hybrid powertrain will be a plug-in hybrid setup like the one Jeep uses in its 4xe models, or a traditional hybrid that skips the plug. Automotive News reported that a traditional hybrid is likely, something that Jeep’s vice president of global product planning, Matthew Nyquist, hinted at in September.
Jeep has some busy years ahead. The Cherokee replacement will be followed shortly by a redesigned Compass. This smaller compact crossover will be based on parent company Stellantis’ STLA Medium platform and is due in the U.S. in 2026, though it will launch first in Europe in 2025, where it will also be manufactured.
The new Recon electric off-roader is also due out soon, and Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares in May said an electric Jeep priced around $25,000 was coming to the U.S. “very soon.” The affordable EV was confirmed by Jeep in June as a member of the Renegade family. An electrified Wagoneer and an updated Grand Cherokee are also in the pipeline.