There remains some mystery at Jeep over the name of a new hybrid SUV that will be part of the brand's lineup in 2025.
According to Automotive News, Jeep CEO Antonio Filosa recently said at the Los Angeles Auto Show only that a new compact SUV with a hybrid powertrain is actually on the way.
Filosa previously confirmed last spring that Jeep would soon launch a new “mainstream” large SUV, adding that we “can probably guess what it's going to be called.” His comments had sparked speculation that the Cherokee brand name would return.
While the brand name has existed since 1974, the Cherokee Nation in the USA had officially asked Jeep to stop using the name as of 2021.
Early last year, Jeep quietly discontinued the model, which was one of the most iconic SUVs of the last 50 years.
The reason? In addition to falling sales figures, Jeep pointed to the interplay between market dynamics, consumer preferences and the strategic realignment of the brand.
The Cherokee was considered a classic four-door SUV known for both its reliability and its suitability for off-road and urban use.
But over time, “consumer preferences have shifted significantly toward larger SUVs equipped with the latest technology and enhanced safety features,” Jeep said at the time. “This trend is accompanied by increasing demand for environmentally friendly vehicles, which is driving the market towards hybrid and electric models.”
While no one knows exactly what the new SUV hybrid will be called, Jeep's parent company Stellantis is certainly doing everything it can to steer all of its brands in the hybrid and electric direction.
Stellantis recently launched a new platform called STLA Frame, designed for large trucks and SUVs. The platform is designed to provide a range of up to 690 miles for extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) and 500 miles for battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
