The struggle is real for the Jeep Cherokee, but nothing will change for a while. The next-generation Jeep Cherokee model keeps getting pushed back for other Jeep models like the Jeep Grand Wagoneer and a new electric Jeep as Cherokee sales decline. 

Is the Jeep Cherokee being discontinued? 

No, the Jeep Cherokee isn’t being discontinued yet. It’s just ignored as Stellantis focuses more on other models. Changes are being made to the new Jeep Grand Wagoneer, the Jeep Compass got a new interior, and a new Jeep EV is in the works. 

In the meantime, the Cherokee has been hanging out in the background, but it’d not going out to pasture. According to MotorTrend, Jim Morrison, the Head of Jeep Brand North America, shared that big plans are in the works. 

The next-generation Jeep Cherokee is going to be bigger and better than ever. It will also include tons of electrification. Morrison didn’t share if the new Cherokee will continue to offer an internal combustion engine. 

Also, Morrison explained that the much-needed updates for the Cherokee won’t arrive this year. Instead, we can be on the lookout for an urban Jeep model with a new name that will be followed by an all-electric off-roader like the Wrangler. Then an electric family option will come out. 

Is the Cherokee in trouble? 

It seems like the Jeep Cherokee has been struggling with a downward spiral for months. In 2021 Cherokee sales dropped by 34 percent, to less than 90,000 units in the United States. Then sales dropped to about 10,000 units during the first quarter of 2022. 

The Cherokee is currently moving about 3,500 units a month as production dwindles at the plant in Belvidere, Illinois. The plant has been cutting shifts and laying off workers to reduce hourly and salaried staff. 

Things like the ongoing semi-conductor chip shortage, other supply chain issues, and the Cherokee’s age have impacted production. Jeep is taking from the Cherokee’s chip supply to use them in more profitable models. 

The fifth-generation Cherokee debuted back in 2013, so it’s nearly 10 years old. Plus, Native Americans have been calling on Jeep to drop the Cherokee name. But the tidal has been a staple in the Jeep lineup since 1973. 

Is the 2023 Cherokee worth buying? 

Yes, the 2023 Jeep Cherokee is worth buying, even if it’s an aging model. It provides excellent off-roading capabilities and has plenty of powerful engines to choose from. But it lacks cargo space and gets expensive in a flash. 

The 2022 Cherokee starts at about $29,995. The 2023 model could see a price increase by a couple of hundred bucks due to rising inflation. 

With the standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, you get 180 hp and 171 lb-ft of torque. The 3.2-liter V6 engine cranks out 271 hp and 239 lb-ft of torque, while the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine provides 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. 

The Cherokee lives on for now, but we wouldn’t be supposed if it gets renamed. Also, we hope it can stay profitable and survive until the new model comes out.