When Jeep Cherokee production ended in February 2023, the automaker pledged it wasn't the end of the line for the storied nameplate. Two years later, we finally have something substantial on the next-generation model. Our spy photographers caught some Cherokee prototypes in action, giving us an early preview of what's to come.
Though heavily wrapped in camouflage, the profile is easily recognizable as a Jeep. A very high, straight beltline extends front to back, with relatively narrow windows above. Looking closer, we see bracketed wheel arches, a telltale Jeep design cue. Zoom in on the front and the seven-slot grille can be seen through the white mesh. Overall, the new Cherokee bears a striking resemblance to the Wagoneer S.
The similarities aren't just skin deep. Our sources say the reborn Cherokee will ride on the same STLA Large platform used by the electric Wagoneer S. That means it should be considerably larger compared to the previous-generation model, possibly growing by as much as a foot overall. Technically speaking, it should still be a mid-size SUV. But it'll slot much closer to the Grand Cherokee, leaving the Jeep Compass to satisfy buyers in smaller segments.
While its styling resembles the Wagoneer S, it won't be an EV. Visible exhaust pipes on these prototypes confirm a combustion engine under the hood, likely in a hybrid format. It's worth noting this probably isn't a 4xe plug-in hybrid setup, however. At the 2024 LA Auto Show, Stellantis Chief Operating Officer Antonio Filosa confirmed that a new Jeep hybrid was coming this year, but stopped short of calling it the Cherokee. Powertrain details are still mystery at this point; the Jeep Avenger's e-hybrid system is a possibility, if a bit underpowered at just 136 horsepower. A V-6 hybrid arrangement makes more sense.
Gallery: New Jeep Cherokee Spy Photos
There's no information about the interior at this time, either. Our first sighting comes from afar, so we're not able to catch any views through the windows. If the Wagoneer S influence continues inside, expect a tech-focused layout with multiple landscape-oriented screens and a modest array of physical controls.
It's possible a full reveal could happen later this year. At the earliest, expect the new Cherokee to go on sale sometime in 2026.
Source: KGP Photography
