The new Jeep Cherokee has been tested in Michigan, and the spy photos have emerged so we can see the new model with the camouflaged front fascia and the rear end. It has been seen together with the new-generation JL Wrangler.
The new Jeep Cherokee will return with the traditional seven-sloth grille, however, the American carmaker tried to fool the fans with a faux kidney grille. Furthermore, the narrow headlights visible on the current model may be upgraded in order to make it more similar to other Jeep vehicles such as Compass and Grand Cherokee.
According to the head of design Mark Allen, the new Cherokee is not going to feature as much divisive styling as the ongoing version because the purpose of the 2017 car was to distinguish Cherokee from the rest and attract additional attention.
He said: “The Cherokee’s styling was meant to be intentionally disruptive. So, we have no regrets in making it look the way it does; it did what it was meant to do. It was meant to shake people up. But the next one will have the legs.”
Moreover, the rear segment of the vehicle is going to be modified, but these changes will be subtle compared to those on the front end. The 2018 Jeep Cherokee may be offered with a seven-seat option, according to the Jeep global head Mike Manley.
“The only thing after that I would next look at, is a good three-row mid-sized Jeep. If you look at, for example, what Toyota has done with its three-row (SUV), Ford has just announced a three-row Edge (it’s in China now but I know they will take that vehicle elsewhere), Hyundai has a three-row, and Kia has a three-row (it’s clear that) families have migrated away from (mini)vans, but still occasionally need a three-row that’s usable. It’s got to be a market that we have to look at,” declared Manley.
There is no any information about the engine lineup, but the new Cherokee might come with a 2.0-liter turbo-petrol I4 engine that will also power the new Wrangler. This unit will either be added to the range, or it will replace the ongoing base 2.4-liter naturally aspirated I4.
The redesigned Cherokee might keep all of the powertrains – the 2.4-liter good for 130 kW and 229 Nm of torque, a 3.2-liter V6 that delivers 200 kW and 316 Nm of torque and a 2.0-liter turbo-diesel four cylinder rated at 125 kW and 350 Nm of torque.
There is a rumor that Jeep might assemble the performance-oriented Trackhawk. The exact launch date of the new 2018 Jeep Cherokee is unknown, but we can expect it to arrive sometime in 2018.
