Next-Gen Jeep Cherokee (KM) Caught In Latest Spy Photos

Next-Gen Jeep Cherokee (KM) Caught In Latest Spy Photos​

New Hybrid-Powered 4x4 Looks To Make Its Debut Later This Year...​

The Jeep® Cherokee nameplate is making a comeback, and sources indicate that the all-new 2025 model (KM) will be built on the advanced STLA Large platform. This highly flexible, multi-energy unibody architecture will allow Jeep to introduce the Cherokee with a new hybrid powertrain, distinguishing it from the fully electric Jeep Wagoneer S (KX) and Jeep Recon (EJ), both of which will also be built at the Toluca Assembly Plant in Mexico.

Next-Gen Jeep Cherokee (KM) Caught In Latest Spy Photos

The Jeep® Cherokee nameplate is making a comeback, and sources indicate that the all-new 2025 model (KM) will be built on the advanced STLA Large platform. This highly flexible, multi-energy unibody architecture will allow Jeep to introduce it with a new hybrid powertrain, distinguishing it from...

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[Archknight]

My questions are
1. What powerplant will it have?
2. Which engine layout will it get, transvere or longitudinal (old XJ)?

I would hope they aren't plaguing this with anything smaller than the new 2.0T, but there have been alot of people claiming it would see some form of the 1.6T. Considering how large this is compared to the Compass, I don't see the point of such a small 4 banger unless it's a hybrid. The 2L is a better companion for something this size, as it wouldn't struggle lugging around that weight or run out of breathe under hard acceleration. Also, could there be room under the hood for a version of the 3L Hurricane?

Which brings me to the positioning of the engine, since people say it will be FWD biased, they could do what Audi does for balance on its MLB platform. I know STLA-L can be fitted for transverse applications, but Jeep tends to like to standout from the competition. I don't really see an advantage in packaging it this way unless cabin space is going to be increased significantly.

 

[bill burke]

I am on my second Cherokee and thinking of another. If it’s hybrid only, I’m out. Its gas power or no power in my world. Think many will agree.

 

[Archknight]

I am on my second Cherokee and thinking of another. If it’s hybrid only, I’m out. Its gas power or no power in my world. Think many will agree.

The hybrid won't be an issue as long as it's not plug-in (4xe). Look at what Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, etc. have accomplished with them. If it's a well sorted hybrid or 48V mild hybrid system, the increase fuel economy and performance will be what people will seek out.

 

[cygnus]

My questions are
1. What powerplant will it have?
2. Which engine layout will it get, transvere or longitudinal (old XJ)?

I would hope they aren't plaguing this with anything smaller than the new 2.0T, but there have been alot of people claiming it would see some form of the 1.6T. Considering how large this is compared to the Compass, I don't see the point of such a small 4 banger unless it's a hybrid. The 2L is a better companion for something this size, as it wouldn't struggle lugging around that weight or run out of breathe under hard acceleration. Also, could there be room under the hood for a version of the 3L Hurricane?

Which brings me to the positioning of the engine, since people say it will be FWD biased, they could do what Audi does for balance on its MLB platform. I know STLA-L can be fitted for transverse applications, but Jeep tends to like to standout from the competition. I don't really see an advantage in packaging it this way unless cabin space is going to be increased significantly.

It’s got a 1.6L mild hybrid. They’re insane if they think people will pay the Jeep tax (15-20% above what it should be priced at / generally awful dealership experience / hit or miss quality) for a 1.6L four banger.

 

[patfromigh]

I am on my second Cherokee and thinking of another. If it’s hybrid only, I’m out. Its gas power or no power in my world. Think many will agree.

The next generation Toyota RAV4 will be hybrid only in our market when it arrives. The Toyota Camry is currently a hybrid only model. The market segment the Cherokee competes in is heavily populated by hybrid offerings. The class leaders are Toyota and Honda and it was the hybrid option which boosted their sales to the top. The Honda CRV and Toyota RAV4 had a combined sales of nearly 1 million units sold in 2024. What was the last year sales of the Jeep Cherokee? Pathetic.

I believe the Hyundai/Kia hybrids use a 1.6 liter turbo. Buyers haven't exactly been avoiding those models either.

 

[UN4GTBL]

Trailhawk?

I'd definitely rather a RWD based 4x4 with a v6 hybrid, but I'll give this a couple of model years to get figured out before I look seriously at one.

The rear cargo area looks like it could be better than KL. Looks like 360 cameras will be available too. Hopefully they don't gatekeep options to Overland again

 

[bill burke]

The hybrid won't be an issue as long as it's not plug-in (4xe). Look at what Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, etc. have accomplished with them. If it's a well sorted hybrid or 48V mild hybrid system, the increase fuel economy and performance will be what people will seek out.

I’ll keep an open mind as long as I don’t have to plug it in and charge it. A family member bought a 2024 Wagoneer 4Xe and he never uses the electric mode or charges it, too much trouble and not enough range. I believe a plug in hybrid is not what most people want. I’d at least drive a pure hybrid and then decide. I agree with your thinking on the benefits of this type of hybrid.

 

[Archknight]

I’ll keep an open mind as long as I don’t have to plug it in and charge it. A family member bought a 2024 Wagoneer 4Xe and he never uses the electric mode or charges it, too much trouble and not enough range. I believe a plug in hybrid is not what most people want. I’d at least drive a pure hybrid and then decide. I agree with your thinking on the benefits of this type of hybrid.

I have the same apprehension on the plug-ins, especially when I test drove a GC 4xe. The salesman was trying his best to convince me that it would be a great buy, but of course I live in complex that doesn't supply charging stations and I'm not going all over the city to hunt for one. They are inconvenient to the average person and the thought of dragging around the weight of the empty battery wasn't reassuring. If they were going to go hybrid, it should have been an evalution of the eTorque system, not something that's more complex and inefficient for the owner.

 

[TripleT]

Realize that JGC is Hybird unless you plug it in then it is a PHEV, the Hybrid system give you Eagle perfomance with the 2.OL I have it one and love it, but I do prefer the 20+ you get with Battery. But the system isn't complex, the only additional part is bigger battery the EV motors replace the parasitic torque converter. They function quite well as just a Hybrid. That said that version should be reserved for the Big Jeeps and fast Dodges.

Honda, Toyota.... and shown everyone else has discovered that the people who actually care if the gas engine is attached to the powertrain is so small it immeasurable. That we are a group of geeks here still do is irrelevant to grander market. If you can put gas in and it goes, that is all people care about.

No one cares about the cubic inches but us, no one cares how the cylinders are arranged but us... they care about efficiency, performance, utility, and value.

I prefer the 1.3 over the 1.6... hope the issue with Puretech are fixed but both have enough to power the generator to pull the vehicle around fine.

Connected powerplants should be reserved for performance models like the Charger. Can't wait to see this new model uncovered I very curious about what is shared with the WagS.

 

[patfromigh]

I’ll keep an open mind as long as I don’t have to plug it in and charge it. A family member bought a 2024 Wagoneer 4Xe and he never uses the electric mode or charges it, too much trouble and not enough range. I believe a plug in hybrid is not what most people want. I’d at least drive a pure hybrid and then decide. I agree with your thinking on the benefits of this type of hybrid.

I think our collective disappointment should be at the noticeable absence of the next-gen 8-speeds in any new CDRJ products. The default version of the ZF built in Graycourt (Look ma, no tariff) is the 48v mild hybrid version. I have no idea what is coming out of Kokomo.

I'm very curious about the mystery 3-speed hybrid transmission in the hybrid KM.

 

[TripleT]

I’ll keep an open mind as long as I don’t have to plug it in and charge it. A family member bought a 2024 Wagoneer 4Xe and he never uses the electric mode or charges it, too much trouble and not enough range. I believe a plug in hybrid is not what most people want. I’d at least drive a pure hybrid and then decide. I agree with your thinking on the benefits of this type of hybrid.

Sure you mistyped as the only Wagoneer 4xe is the S, In the case of JGC or Wrangler it just acts as a Hybrid of you don't plug it in. How is it trouble?... I pull it in, Plug it in changes my normal MPG from 26 to 40s in given week. Changed from a weekly fill up to once every 3 weeks. Not trouble at all way less than stopping a gas station to filling it up.

The only difference between a Hybrid and PHEV is you have the option to pre-charge a bigger battery to offset fuel use.

 

[TripleT]

I think our collective disappointment should be at the noticeable absence of the next-gen 8-speeds in any new CDRJ products. The default version of the ZF built in Graycourt (Look ma, no tariff) is the 48v mild hybrid version. I have no idea what is coming out of Kokomo.

I'm very curious about the mystery 3-speed hybrid transmission in the hybrid KM.

Punch

 

[Archknight]

I'm very curious about the mystery 3-speed hybrid transmission in the hybrid KM.

When I saw this 3 speed transmission come up awhile back, I thought it might be something developed for these electric models. To see something developed for a hybrid with only 3 gears, seems like it would either constantly be shifting or holding very high rpms for power.

Aren't there a couple other transmission options from Punch that are supposed to be available, eDCT (7-speed) and hybrid 8AT? Americans tend to hate DCT transmissions because of lerching that happens at crawling speeds or the slipping that happens when trying to launch from a standstill. It could be solved by having the electric motor take over for both situations. Although, I don't think this would be used in a Jeep unless they have developed a version that can handle more than 350nM (258 lb-ft) of torque. With the all the current Jeep models in the NA market using an 8AT, I wouldn't think they would change course all of a sudden.

 

[patfromigh]

My '72 Chrysler had a 3 speed transmission, it was an A-727 unit. Back then it felt like plenty of gears. The 7-speed eDCT is built by Magna and is much sturdier and more powerful than the Punch 6-speed. The 8-speed transmissions in PSA cars is an Aisin transmission. In today's world of hybrid power, transmissions may also add power with embedded electric motors. The built in e-motors provide creep and launch torque in a DCT. The Punch is the 98 pound weakling built to a price as cheaply as possible. So far it is only used in Euro products combined with the 1.2 three cylinder engine. Vehicles with a four cylinder still use other transmissions.

Please bear in mind that the hallways in Auburn Hills still have a faint odor of cheap French cologne, because it wasn't too long ago that someone departed. That someone was determined to make pure battery electric the top power train option. Thus as the Charger Daytona EV and Wagoneer S advanced through the pipeline followed by the Ram REV, the 1.5 liter GSE four cylinder running Miller cycle was phased out and a 2.0 GME Miller cycle program was cancelled. The next generation 8-speed transmission are suspiciously late for the rear drive based Jeeps.

Stellantis announced this power train last September, The latest 3008 and 5008 models are both built on the STLA medium platform. We are getting the 1.6 four for the Cherokee and Compass, but I doubt the 7-speed will show up here. I don't know if it is still the Magna built unit.

PEUGEOT has expanded the powertrain offering on the new 3008 with the introduction of a state-of-the-art plug-in hybrid powertrain, offering an electric-only range of up to 52 miles (WLTP).

The new Plug-In Hybrid 195 e-DSC7 powertrain, from parent company Stellantis, premieres on the new 3008 and 5008 and features a larger 21kWh battery that delivers up to 52 miles of electric range (WLTP). This is combined with an updated version of the 1.6-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged PureTech petrol engine and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission incorporating a 92kW electric motor, resulting in a combined 195hp and 350Nm of torque. It produces low C02 emissions of 19-20g/km, while the competitive 52-mile electric range results in a lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) rate of 8%, so from as little as £54.13† a month.

The new 3008 Plug-in Hybrid comes with a choice of three drive modes, Hybrid, Electric and Sport. The default mode is Hybrid, automatically managing the alternating or simultaneous operation of the petrol engine and electric motor. To optimise fuel consumption, this mode will prioritise all-electric driving as often as possible. The Electric mode allows driving using only electric power with speeds up to 83mph, while in Sport the electric power is used to supplement the petrol engine to deliver maximum performance for more dynamic driving.

When equipped with the optional 7.4kW on-board charger, charging the plug-in hybrid 3008 takes just 2 hours 45 minutes (0-100%) from an AC fast charger. Thanks to the STLA Medium platform, the boot volume of the new 3008 Plug-In Hybrid is also 30% larger (+130 litres) compared to the previous version.

 

[thatjerryguy]

A 1.6L turbo, hybrid or not, is a deal breaker. As is an ungainly long front overhang like on the KL. If Honda can shorten the front overhang to a tolerable length on the FWD-based '26 Passport (with a transverse V6) Jeep can do likewise with the new Cherokee. Also, as mentioned in the story the new Cherokee is being built on the STLA Large Platform. Which is the same platform as the Dodge Charger, which will get a longitudinal-mounted Hurricane inline 6. Might the new Cherokee also get a longitudinal-mounted engine? An inline 6 would make the KM a worthy successor to the XJ.

 

[TripleT]

A 1.6L turbo, hybrid or not, is a deal breaker. As is an ungainly long front overhang like on the KL. If Honda can shorten the front overhang to a tolerable length on the FWD-based '26 Passport (with a transverse V6) Jeep can do likewise with the new Cherokee. Also, as mentioned in the story the new Cherokee is being built on the STLA Large Platform. Which is the same platform as the Dodge Charger, which will get a longitudinal-mounted Hurricane inline 6. Might the new Cherokee also get a longitudinal-mounted engine? An inline 6 would make the KM a worthy successor to the XJ.

STLA is a Architecture not a Platform. There are I think 4 version of the Architecture so it like 4 platforms. It not built on the Brampton version, it is WagS and Recon version which is FWD focused and therefore a short overhang.