- The Jeep Cherokee is returning after a brief hiatus.
- A redesigned mannequin will probably be launched later this yr.
Jeep simply launched the primary photos and particulars in regards to the new era 2026 Cherokee. Whereas we knew a brand new crossover was within the works, its title had been up for debate.
As we famous in January, Stellantis introduced plans for “three all-new Jeep nameplates” and had been referring to the mannequin because the “New Mainstream UV [Utility Vehicle].” This appeared to suggest the corporate was purposely avoiding utilizing the Cherokee title.
Extra: The Jeep Cherokee Is Again for 2026 And It Appears to be like Nothing Like You Keep in mind
This wouldn’t be the primary time as the corporate changed the long-lasting Cherokee XJ with the Liberty. It survived for 2 generations, earlier than being changed by the 2014 Cherokee KL, which survived till 2023.
Nonetheless, there had been hints the Cherokee title would return following a brief hiatus. In 2024, then Jeep CEO Antonio Filosa teased you “may in all probability guess” what their mid-sized crossover can be referred to as.
With the Cherokee’s return now official, it’s time to ask if Jeep ought to have continued utilizing the moniker? The model’s use of the title dates again to the 1970’s, when People have been extra involved about oil embargos than political correctness.
Nonetheless, loads has modified prior to now 50 years. This consists of excessive colleges {and professional} sports activities groups retiring names and mascots that may very well be thought-about offensive to Native People. The Cleveland Indians and Washington Redskins are probably the most high-profile examples, however there are nonetheless some holdouts together with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.
Even the Cherokee Nation requested Jeep to cease utilizing their title in 2021. Nonetheless, the corporate declined and mentioned, “Our automobile names have been fastidiously chosen and nurtured over time to honor and have fun Native American individuals for his or her the Aristocracy, prowess, and pleasure.”
All this brings us to our query of the day, ought to Jeep have stopped utilizing the Cherokee title? It’s actually an iconic moniker however, on the finish of the day, it’s merely a reputation. Jeep has already proven a willingness to drop it prior to now, so it wouldn’t have been onerous to do it once more.
That being mentioned, Jeep doesn’t have a stellar monitor document with creativity. In 2022, the corporate launched a contest to call their upcoming electrical automobile that was codenamed the Wagoneer S. Regardless of getting hundreds of submissions, the corporate caught with Wagoneer S. In hindsight, they need to have referred to as it overpriced and unsellable.
