- Prototype sightings reveal the design similarity of the new Cherokee and the Wagoneer S.
- The new Jeep will be larger, with more interior space and an updated digital cockpit.
- The compact crossover will share the STLA Large architecture with the Wagoneer S and Recon.
An familiar face has long been absent from the Jeep lineup—and not just familiar, but one that helped define the brand’s modern identity in the SUV realm. The Grand Cherokee quietly exited the game in 2023, leaving an obvious gap between the smaller Compass and the larger Grand Cherokee. Now Stellantis seems poised to fill this space with a new successor targeting precisely the middle ground that Jeep has lost.
Although rumors of a new mid-size Jeep model have been circulating for some time, development has crossed the rumor borderline. Overlays have already started appearing on public roads, and a leaked memo from Stellantis dealers indicates that a formal presentation is already scheduled for October 1st of this year.
What’s The Name?
The big question surrounding the upcoming Jeep model is not only its appearance but also what it will be called. Current discussions between Jeep and Cherokee Nation have led the company to somewhat ambiguously refer to the SUV as simply the “new mass Utility Vehicle.”
This, although nothing official has yet been confirmed. For what it’s worth, a leaked dealer memo refers to it as the “New Cherokee,” so the original name may remain in play.
New Styling Direction
The latest images of the new crossover confirm that Jeep is drawing stylistic inspiration from its recent electric offerings, particularly the Wagoneer S. Despite heavy camouflage, the overall silhouette of the model has been revealed sufficiently to prompt a digital artist to create a set of renderings for it.
At the front of the crossover, thinner headlights are expected on either side of a narrow execution of the classic Jeep seven-slot grille. Bumper vent designs draw cues from the Wagoneer S and also from the teaser stripe Cherokee that Jeep shared back in 2021.
More Details:
The profile of the Cherokee successor is recognizably similar, conveying similar wheel arches and door handles. However, as work images and leaked teaser images indicate, the thicker, body-colored D-pillar suggests a more vertical rear end. This change will likely result in a larger cargo area, important for buyers in this segment.
Modern Cabin, More Space
Inside, the Cherokee successor is expected to share much of its technology with the Wagoneer S and other new Jeep models. This likely includes a digital dash presence, with numerous screens integrated throughout the cockpit and central console.
But it’s not just a technology upgrade. Thanks to the extended footprint, the interior space in the middle section will be noticeably more spacious than ever before. Some sources indicate that it might even surpass the length of 192.4 inches (4,887 mm) of the Wagoneer S, while still maintaining the same 113-inch (2,870 mm) wheelbase.
This will bring it closer to the Grand Cherokee in size, creating safe distance from the one whose American debut was delayed, although its European launch continues this spring.
Underpinnings and Powertrains
Jeep has confirmed that the new crossover will ride on Stellantis’ STLA Large architecture, the same platform underpinning the Wagoneer S and the upcoming. Regarding what will power it, expect traditional internal combustion engines alongside hybrid variants at launch, with a fully electric version likely to follow later. This EV variant will complete Jeep’s increasingly electrified lineup.
Leaked documents indicate that production is scheduled to commence in October 2025 in the United States. This timeline suggests a possible debut in the coming months, likely long before production starts.