Is Jeep Saying Goodbye To The Cherokee Name For Good?

The Jeep Cherokee used to be a big deal, one of those SUVs everyone knew and loved. However, after Stellantis increased the prices, sales unexpectedly declined. By 2023, they quietly pulled it from the lineup without a replacement, leaving folks wondering what’s next.

Now, Jeep says they're working on "three all-new nameplates," which sounds like they might ditch the Cherokee name entirely. That’s kind of weird, especially since their CEO, Antonio Filosa, hinted they might stick with it when he told Car & Driver, "You can probably guess what it’ll be called." Not exactly a firm answer, right?

To be fair, this is not the first time Jeep has experimented with the name. When the Cherokee XJ was retired, it got replaced by the Liberty for a couple of generations before Jeep brought back the Cherokee badge in 2014. But the name has been a bit controversial. The Cherokee Nation actually asked Jeep to stop using it in 2021. Jeep’s response? “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.” Yeah... take that how you will.

Regardless of its name, we expect the new model to launch later this year, offering both gas and hybrid powertrains. It's a D-segment crossover like the Recon and Wagoneer S, built on the STLA Large platform. Jeep’s also got other fresh stuff lined up—a redesigned Compass, Renegade, Gladiator 4xe, and even a range-extended Wagoneer.

It appears that Jeep has a busy year ahead. Let's just hope this mystery SUV brings the heat.