Jeep’s Newly Revealed Cherokee Won’t Be the Last: A Fresh Version Is Planned for 2029
Jeep has only just introduced the latest Cherokee, but the SUV is already on track for another major overhaul. Stellantis has confirmed that the next iteration will arrive before the decade is over, bringing a new platform and a shift in manufacturing plans.
Production of the future Cherokee is expected to begin in the second half of 2029. It will be the first vehicle built in the United States on Stellantis’ new STLA One architecture, which was unveiled earlier this year as part of the company’s effort to streamline development and cut costs.
Jeep says pilot builds should start in the first half of 2028 at the Belvidere Assembly Plant near Chicago. Stellantis CEO and North America COO Antonio Filosa said the move will help the brand offer a stronger product while making use of its U.S. production base.
Belvidere Gets More Investment
Along with the new Cherokee plan, Stellantis is adding another $200 million to the Belvidere facility. That comes on top of the $600 million commitment announced in late 2025, bringing the plant’s total planned investment to $800 million.
The factory is expected to operate with two shifts and will be set up to handle every major powertrain type. Stellantis originally paused operations there in February 2023 after demand for the previous Cherokee weakened. Later that year, the company reached a labor agreement with the United Auto Workers that included a promise to bring production back.
More details about the plant’s future emerged in October 2025, when Stellantis said it would restart the site to build the Cherokee and Compass. The automaker also said it would continue supporting affected workers with supplemental unemployment benefits, relocation options, and related assistance until production resumes.
Where the Current Cherokee Stands
The sixth-generation 2026 Cherokee arrived about a year ago and is larger than the model it replaced. It uses Stellantis’ STLA Large platform, the same basic structure found under vehicles such as the Dodge Charger.
For now, the Cherokee is offered only as a 350-volt hybrid. Its setup combines a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with a two-motor electronically controlled CVT, producing 210 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque. Pricing begins at $36,995 including destination, and Jeep says the SUV comes standard with all-wheel drive.
The Cherokee remains a key nameplate for Jeep in a highly competitive segment. If the move to STLA One lowers production costs, it could help the brand keep pricing more attractive while improving its margins.
