Update: ‘Release date’ section added.
On February 28, 2023, the Jeep Cherokee, introduced in 1974, saw the end of production after five model generations. New reports suggest a sixth-generation Jeep Cherokee will arrive in the U.S. in late 2024, and that it will come with an electric variant. The Jeep Cherokee Electric would be a great alternative to the Jeep Recon for customers who want more of an urban commuter, and in this article, we lay down every detail reported about the future Jeep electric SUV.
Design
During his presentation at Stellantis’ EV Day 2021 event on July 8, 2021, Chief Design Officer Ralph Gilles teased a boxy electric SUV that could be a Jeep Cherokee Electric. Talking about the modularity of the STLA Large platform, Gilles showed the silhouette of “a heart-of-market SUV” that looked similar to the fifth-gen Cherokee, only more mature, inspired by the fifth-gen Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Specifications
As for the STLA Large platform itself, Gilles said it “has outstanding fundamentals with the batteries nice and low, the EDM motors at the edges, allowing for a variety of wheel sizes, suspension heights, and width.” “All these components are out of the way allowing us to do just about whatever we want on the top surface,” the group-level design boss added.
The STLA Large platform will be suitable for vehicles in the mid-size to full-size segments with a length of 4.70-5.40 m (185.0-212.6 in.) and a width of 1.90-2.03 m (74.8-79.9 in.), Patrice Lucas the-then Cross Car Line & Project Engineering, Stellantis, said. Going by the teaser and the provisional specifications, the Cherokee Electric should offer class-leading boot space, head & knee-room, and an airy greenhouse for comfortable road trips.
In announcements as recent as March 9, 2023, Stellantis describes STLA Large as a “BEV-centric” platform. According to a report MoparInsiders.com published on March 26, 2023, the next-gen Jeep Cherokee (codename: Jeep KM) will be available with a hybrid powertrain and a pure-electric powertrain.
Even though Stellantis does not explicitly state so, it appears that STLA Large is not a dedicated EV platform like Volkswagen Group’s MEB. Instead, it appears to be an EV-first platform. EV-first platforms should be superior to conversion type models, but they cannot match the space efficiency, cost, or the features that bespoke platforms offer.
Dual motors enabling an all-wheel drive drivetrain layout will likely be standard in the Jeep Cherokee Electric. Customers may get to choose from multiple power levels of up to around 350-400 hp. The battery pack powering the motors of the Cherokee EV will likely have a gross energy storage capacity of 101-118 kWh, though the usable storage capacity will likely be slightly lower. With an operating voltage of 800 volts, the battery pack may take just around 20 minutes for a 10-80% DC fast-charging session.
Stellantis is targeting a WLTP range of 500 miles for the EVs based on the STLA Large platform. Being a large, boxy SUV, the Jeep Cherokee Electric might settle for a much lower figure of 350-400 miles. The EPA-est. range could be just over 300 miles, which would still be decent. Given that it is a Jeep SUV, we anticipate that the high-spec variants will possess impressive off-road capabilities.
Release date
On September 8, 2022, Jeep announced that it plans to launch 4 EVs by 2025. We already know three of the zero-emission models: Jeep Avenger EV, Jeep Recon, and Jeep Wagoneer S. The fourth model could well be the Jeep Cherokee Electric. In April 2023, Jeep issued a teaser image of the fourth EV, which looked like a much lower and shorter model lurking beneath the dust sheet. However, it’s also possible that the company used a generic picture that’s not indicative of the planned product, in which case we can still expect it to launch a Cherokee Electric by 2025.
Price
Expected to be priced from around USD 50,000, the all-electric Jeep Cherokee will likely be eligible for the maximum tax credit of USD 7,500 under the Clean Vehicle Credit program.
TopElectricSUV says
The Cherokee Electric will likely be an ideal choice for customers who want an electric mid-size SUV that’s tougher and more spacious than say the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Tesla Model Y but not necessarily as off-road-focused as the Jeep Recon.
Jeep Cherokee EV FAQs
What is the Jeep Cherokee Electric release date?
The Jeep Cherokee Electric will reportedly be introduced in late 2024 in the U.S. as an MY2025 model.
What will be the Jeep Cherokee Electric price?
The base price of the Cherokee Electric could be around USD 50,000.
Which models will be Jeep Cherokee Electric rivals?
The all-electric Cherokee SUV will likely compete with the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Chevy Blazer EV and the Tesla Model Y.
Featured Image Source: YouTube/Stellantis
I got my Master’s in Business Management & Administration and have been an International Automotive News Editor since 2014. I’ve traveled to global motor shows and automotive events, driven various types of vehicles, and focused on hybrid and electric cars in the last 4 years.
