Iconic Jeep Cherokee Heads for Retirement After Almost 50 Years In Production

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For many car lovers, the word that most commonly and almost habitually comes after saying “Jeep” isn’t Wrangler or Rubicon or Liberty, it’s “Cherokee.” And after almost half a century in production, the end has finally come for the Cherokee – but not the Grand Cherokee, to be clear – and it’s likely the vehicle to replace it will be electrified in some way, just like the $60,000 Grand Cherokee 4xe hybrid. But it’s unlikely to be called “Cherokee.”

In 2021, the indigenous Cherokee Nation petitioned Stellantis to “retire” the Cherokee name amidst a general wave of rethinks around product names that some categorized as racist or appropriating. There was no word from Stellantis on if that request figured into their decision, but the company told several outlets that they remain committed to the light SUV segment. No future vehicle plans were immediately disclosed, but given the rising popularity of the 4xe plug-in hybrid (PHEV) series of models in the Jeep lineup, the future of the segment seems clearly pointed towards electrification at some level.

The Cherokee grew out of the Jeep Wagoneer in 1974 as a lighter, more lithe off-roading and generally more sporty driving option to the Wagoneer’s largess. It featured two fewer doors and in 1984, as parent company AMC sputtered, it transitioned to a unibody platform and largely kicked off the modern Sport Utility Vehicle segment, or what we call the “SUV” today. Resurgent Chrysler scooped up the Jeep brand as AMC perished, and it currently resides with RAM, Fiat, Alfa, Opel, Maserati and others under the Stellantis umbrella.

It gained back the two doors in 1977 but by then the pattern was set for the Cherokee to appeal to a more youth-oriented market. Over the decades, more than three million Cherokees were produced. But after the Cherokee was co-badged as the Liberty in the early 2,000s, sales continued to slip away to competitors. Stellantis idled the Illinois plant where the Cherokee is made on March 1st and its fate – and that of the 1,500 jobs there – remains unclear.

Also unclear is what will come next for Jeep, but speculation is leaning hard towards a similar if redesigned vehicle with some form of hybrid or electric drive train. It’s also unknown if the Grand Cherokee, already available as a hybrid, while see a name change or likewise be discontinued, rethought or replaced. With the EV revolution gaining traction, carmakers are finding room to discontinue legacy products in hopes of finding fresh sales appeal with new, if largely untested, marketing ideas and vehicle platforms. Meanwhile, if you still want a Cherokee, they are still on dealer lots and of course quite popular on the used car market.

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