The Jeep Cherokee is being discontinued. Jeep has officially confirmed the Jeep Cherokee discontinuation, marking the end of an era for one of its most iconic nameplates. The Jeep Cherokee end of production is set for early 2023, with the final models rolling off the assembly line at the Belvidere, Illinois plant. This decision comes after decades of the Cherokee’s presence in the automotive market, leaving many enthusiasts and potential buyers wondering about the underlying reasons for Cherokee ending.
Several factors contribute to this significant move by Jeep. Primarily, evolving market demands, shifting consumer preferences towards SUVs with more modern designs and advanced technology, and the increasing cost of production have all played a role. Additionally, the strategic realignment of Jeep’s future product lineup, focusing on electrification and expanding its more popular models like the Grand Cherokee and the upcoming Jeep Recon, necessitates difficult decisions. This blog post will delve into the key reasons behind the Jeep Cherokee discontinuation, explore the Jeep Cherokee sales decline, and discuss the potential Jeep Cherokee replacement and the overall impact of Cherokee discontinuation. We will also touch upon the Jeep Cherokee future models and how it stacks up against its stablemate, the Jeep Compass, in the form of a Jeep Compass vs Cherokee comparison. Finally, we’ll reflect on the enduring Cherokee legacy.
The Shifting Automotive Landscape
The automotive industry is in a constant state of flux, and the sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment is no exception. Consumer preferences have moved significantly in recent years, favoring vehicles that offer a blend of style, technology, and fuel efficiency. The Jeep Cherokee, while a capable and historically significant vehicle, has struggled to keep pace with these evolving demands.
- Market Preferences: Buyers are increasingly drawn to sleeker, more modern designs. While the Cherokee has undergone various redesigns, its core styling and proportions have sometimes been perceived as less contemporary compared to rivals. The focus has shifted towards a more urban-friendly aesthetic for many SUV buyers, even within the compact and mid-size segments.
- Technological Advancements: The automotive world is rapidly embracing new technologies, from advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) to sophisticated infotainment interfaces and connectivity features. While the Cherokee has offered these, some competitors have pushed the boundaries further, offering more integrated and intuitive technological experiences that appeal to a tech-savvy consumer base.
- Electrification Trend: The global push towards electrification is undeniable. Automakers are investing heavily in developing electric and hybrid powertrains. Jeep itself has announced ambitious plans for electrification, with models like the Jeep Avenger (in Europe) and the upcoming Recon and Wagoneer S leading the charge. The Cherokee, in its current iteration, is not positioned to readily adopt a fully electric powertrain without a complete platform overhaul, making its discontinuation a logical step in this transition.
Declining Sales and Competitive Pressures
A significant driver behind any automaker’s decision to discontinue a model is its sales performance. The Jeep Cherokee sales decline has been a growing concern for Stellantis, Jeep’s parent company.
The Cherokee’s Sales Trajectory
While the Cherokee has had its strong periods, its sales have not consistently met expectations in recent years, especially when compared to other models within the Jeep lineup and its competitors in the highly contested compact and mid-size SUV segments.
| Year | Jeep Cherokee Sales (Approx. U.S.) |
|---|---|
| 2020 | ~161,000 |
| 2021 | ~113,000 |
| 2022 | ~72,000 |
Note: These figures are approximate and may vary slightly depending on the source.
This downward trend suggests that the Cherokee is losing its appeal in the marketplace. Several factors contribute to this:
- Intense Competition: The compact and mid-size SUV segments are arguably the most competitive in the automotive industry. The Cherokee faces stiff competition from well-established and highly popular models like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, Subaru Forester, and its own stablemates, the Jeep Compass and Jeep Wrangler.
- Internal Competition: The Jeep Compass vs Cherokee discussion often highlights the internal cannibalization that the Cherokee has faced. The Jeep Compass, positioned slightly below the Cherokee in terms of size and price, has often outsold it, offering a more accessible entry point into the Jeep brand for many buyers. The Compass has also evolved with modern styling and technology, making it a compelling option.
- Brand Focus: Jeep is prioritizing its most successful and forward-looking models. The Grand Cherokee remains a dominant force in the larger SUV segment, and models like the Wrangler continue to define the brand’s off-road prowess. The investment required to revitalize the Cherokee to meet modern standards may have been deemed less strategic than focusing resources on other areas, particularly electrification and new model development.
Platform Limitations and Future Investment
The underlying platform of a vehicle plays a crucial role in its longevity and ability to adapt to future technologies. The Jeep Cherokee production halt is also linked to its architecture.
- Older Architecture: The current generation Cherokee is built on a platform that, while capable, is not as flexible or as easily adaptable to next-generation technologies, particularly electrification, as newer, purpose-built platforms. Developing an entirely new platform for the Cherokee would require substantial investment.
- Stellantis’s “Dare Forward 2030” Strategy: Stellantis has outlined a bold strategic plan that heavily emphasizes electrification, software development, and the expansion of its core brands. This strategy involves consolidating platforms across its various brands to achieve economies of scale and accelerate the development of new vehicles. The existing Cherokee platform does not align well with these future-focused strategies.
- Focus on Electrification: Jeep’s future is undoubtedly electric. With a commitment to offering fully electric SUVs in every segment, the resources and development efforts are being channeled into platforms that can support this transition. Investing in electrifying the current Cherokee platform might have been deemed a less efficient use of resources compared to developing new EV-native architectures.
The Jeep Cherokee Replacement and Jeep Cherokee Future Models
The question on many minds is: what will replace the Cherokee? Jeep has been tight-lipped about a direct successor, but industry speculation and Jeep’s strategic direction offer clues.
-
Potential New Entrants: It’s highly probable that Jeep will introduce new models to fill the gap left by the Cherokee. These could include:
- A New Compact SUV: A completely redesigned compact SUV, potentially built on a more modern, flexible platform, could emerge. This vehicle might draw inspiration from Jeep’s electric offerings and incorporate advanced technology and a more contemporary design.
- Expanded Compass Lineup: The Jeep Compass might see further evolution and potentially offer a wider range of powertrains and trim levels, effectively absorbing some of the Cherokee’s market share.
- “Recon” Influence: While the Jeep Recon is positioned as a more rugged, off-road-focused electric SUV, its design language and technological foundation could influence future compact Jeep offerings.
-
Emphasis on Key Models: Jeep is likely to double down on its most successful and brand-defining models. This means continued strong investment in the Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, and the upcoming electric models. This strategic focus, while logical for business, unfortunately means the end for the Cherokee.
The absence of a clear Jeep Cherokee replacement with the same nameplate suggests that Jeep might be looking to move in a new direction for its compact SUV offerings, perhaps shedding the historical baggage and starting fresh with a nameplate that better aligns with its future vision.
The Impact of Cherokee Discontinuation
The end of the Jeep Cherokee is not just a story about one model; it has broader implications.
- Belvidere Assembly Plant: The discontinuation of the Cherokee will lead to the Jeep Cherokee production halt at the Belvidere, Illinois, plant. This has significant implications for the plant’s workforce and the local community. Stellantis has indicated efforts to retool the plant for future production, potentially for new electric vehicles, but the immediate impact on employment is a concern.
- Cherokee Legacy: The Cherokee nameplate carries a heavy Cherokee legacy. It has been a cornerstone of the Jeep brand for generations, synonymous with adventure, capability, and a distinctive style. The Cherokee pioneered the concept of the “sport utility vehicle” as we know it, evolving from its utilitarian roots to a more comfortable and refined family vehicle. Its discontinuation represents the end of a significant chapter in automotive history.
- Consumer Choice: While the market is crowded, the loss of the Cherokee narrows the choices available to consumers seeking a Jeep that slots between the smaller Compass and the larger Grand Cherokee. Buyers will need to consider alternatives within the Jeep family or look to competing brands.
A Look at the Jeep Compass vs Cherokee
To better understand the competitive dynamics that likely contributed to the Cherokee’s demise, it’s helpful to compare it with its smaller sibling, the Jeep Compass.
| Feature | Jeep Cherokee | Jeep Compass |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Compact/Mid-size SUV | Compact SUV |
| Size | Larger interior and cargo space | Smaller, more maneuverable |
| Pricing | Generally higher starting price | More accessible starting price |
| Off-Road Ability | Generally more capable off-road (especially Trailhawk trims) | Capable for its class, but less specialized |
| Engine Options | Typically offered more powerful engine options | Focus on efficient, smaller displacement engines |
| Design | Distinctive, polarizing front-end styling | More conventional, modern SUV styling |
| Technology | Competitive, but sometimes lagged behind newer rivals | Increasingly updated with modern tech |
| Sales Volume | Declining | Generally higher and more consistent |
The Jeep Compass vs Cherokee comparison reveals why the Compass has often been the more popular choice for many buyers. It offers a more attractive price point, more conventional styling that appeals to a broader audience, and still provides a good degree of Jeep’s signature capability. As the automotive market evolves, brands often streamline their lineups to focus on their strongest performers and future growth areas. The Cherokee, unfortunately, seems to have fallen victim to this strategic pruning.
The Cherokee’s Enduring Legacy
Despite its discontinuation, the Cherokee legacy remains deeply ingrained in the automotive world.
- Pioneering the SUV: The original Jeep Cherokee (XJ) launched in 1984 is widely credited with popularizing the compact SUV segment. Its unibody construction, combined with Jeep’s legendary off-road capability, created a formula that defined a new category of vehicle. It proved that a vehicle could be both practical for daily driving and adventurous for weekend excursions.
- Versatility and Capability: Throughout its various generations, the Cherokee has been known for its versatility. Whether it was the rugged XJ, the more refined KJ, the larger KK, or the current KL, the Cherokee consistently offered a blend of on-road comfort and impressive off-road prowess, especially in its Trailhawk trims.
- Brand Identity: The Cherokee has been a vital part of Jeep’s identity, embodying the brand’s spirit of adventure and freedom. It provided a more accessible entry point into the Jeep family for many, offering a taste of the brand’s off-road heritage without the higher price or specialized nature of the Wrangler or Grand Cherokee.
The Jeep Cherokee discontinuation is a significant event, marking the end of a model that has shaped the automotive landscape. While the reasons are multifaceted, they ultimately point to the dynamic nature of the industry and Jeep’s strategic pivot towards a more electrified and digitally connected future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: When is the Jeep Cherokee being discontinued?
The Jeep Cherokee end of production is scheduled for early 2023.
Q2: Why is Jeep discontinuing the Cherokee?
The primary reasons for Cherokee ending include declining sales, intense market competition, evolving consumer preferences, and Jeep’s strategic focus on electrification and other key models.
Q3: Will there be a replacement for the Jeep Cherokee?
While Jeep has not announced a direct successor with the same nameplate, it is highly likely that new models will emerge to fill the gap in Jeep’s compact SUV lineup, possibly with a new name and on a modern, flexible platform.
Q4: What will happen to the Belvidere, Illinois plant?
The plant where the Cherokee is produced will undergo retooling for future production, potentially for new electric vehicles.
Q5: How does the Jeep Compass compare to the Jeep Cherokee?
In a Jeep Compass vs Cherokee comparison, the Compass is generally smaller, more affordable, and offers more conventional styling, while the Cherokee was larger, typically more expensive, and often provided greater off-road capability.
Q6: What is the impact of Cherokee discontinuation on the Jeep brand?
The impact of Cherokee discontinuation includes the loss of an iconic model, adjustments for the Belvidere plant workforce, and a shift in Jeep’s product lineup towards future technologies and core models, while also retaining the significant Cherokee legacy.