Jeep has put itself in a commanding position to be dominant in the SUV market with the next generation Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer and the new Wrangler as well as the updated Compass and Renegade. The glaring exception is the fast aging and misaligned Cherokee, which is a good vehicle that needs to be much better. With the launch of the Bronco, it’s most aggressive competitor, the Cherokee will immediately be at a disadvantage in capability. Frankly, the Cherokee should be a North American only offering and a powerful one at that, but the only solution is to go RWD and a become a bit longer and wider, more capable, more Jeep. Currently it is too close in size, configuration and character to the Compass, which with its lower price, steals sales from its near twin, and allow it to stand out and compete in its domestic market. As is, it just confuses the global segment and really should exit gracefully and leave it to Compass and Renegade.
The solution is to produce a Grand Cherokee based midsize spinoff built on the Grand Cherokee assembly line once the Durango moves to its new platform and assembly line. The Cherokee will be better in every way, better positioned in the domestic market to do battle with all comers. This brilliant move frees up the existing assembly plant for the cleverly masked return of Peugeot to North America with ultra modern reskinned vehicles badged as Chrysler’s.
I know I have championed this idea repeatedly, but to me, it’s beyond logical, it’s a sea change event that saves Cherokee and Chrysler absolutely.