Although Peugeot’s US return has been teased for years, the Stellantis merger has put an end to those plans. However, just because we won’t be getting Peugeot-branded vehicles, doesn’t mean its technology isn’t coming here. New rumors suggest one of Peugeot’s car and crossover platforms is coming to the US. Specifically, for something that will reportedly slot underneath the Jeep Renegade.

Peugeot may be coming to the US—in the form of a crossover positioned under the Jeep Renegade

Currently, the Renegade is the smallest vehicle in the Jeep lineup. And it uses the same platform and powertrains as the Fiat 500X. However, it may not be the smallest Jeep for much longer.

According to insider sources, Stellantis is working on a new sub-compact crossover for several of its brands, Automotive News Europe reports. Jeep will get one, as will Alfa Romeo and Fiat. In terms of size, this as-yet-unnamed and unconfirmed crossover will slot underneath the Jeep Renegade in Jeep’s lineup. And it’s going to feature Peugeot tech.

Specifically, this smaller Jeep Renegade sibling will reportedly ride on Peugeot’s Common Modular Platform, Autoblog reports. It’s the same platform used by the Peugeot 208 and Citroen C4 hatchbacks, as well as the Peugeot 2008 crossover, Jalopnik reports. And it’s already designed to accommodate gasoline, hybrid, and all-electric powertrains. That’s helpful for Jeep, given that it doesn’t sell the hybrid Renegade 4xe in the US.

The hybrid accommodations would also allow this mini-Jeep Renegade to offer 4WD or AWD, Motor1 reports. Peugeot’s and Citroen’s CMP models offer it by virtue of having both an internal-combustion engine and an electric rear axle. However, Autoblog suspects this upcoming Jeep crossover won’t be as off-road-capable as the Renegade Trailhawk.

Could this smaller Jeep Renegade be a US-market Fiat Panda?

A Jeep and a Fiat sharing a platform is nothing new. After all, as we mentioned earlier, the Jeep Renegade and Fiat 500X already do. However, why base this upcoming Jeep crossover on a Peugeot and not, say, the Fiat Panda? Especially since Fiat is building this new crossover in its Tychy, Poland plant.

Bringing the Fiat Panda, especially the AWD Panda Cross, makes a certain amount of sense. As we stated before, it would give Jeep—and thus Stellantis—an AWD competitor to the Kia Soul. Plus, while the Panda Cross isn’t quite as rugged as its Panda 4×4 predecessor, with skid plates and hill-descent control, it has some off-road chops. And Autoblog notes that earlier rumors of this sub-compact Jeep crossover suggested it would use the Panda’s underpinnings.

However, there are several reasons why it makes sense for the Jeep Renegade’s little sibling to use the Peugeot platform. Firstly, while the Fiat Panda does offer a hybrid powertrain, it isn’t compatible with its AWD system. Secondly, the Panda’s platform is older than the CMP, Autoblog reports. And thirdly, the upcoming Alfa Romeo Tonale will also ride on a variant of the CMP, Automotive News Europe reports. That last part is especially important for Stellantis because it allows for greater “economies of scale,” Motor1 reports.

What we still don’t know

As of this writing, Jeep hasn’t officially confirmed there is a crossover smaller than the Renegade coming to the US. If it does, it won’t be here until 2022 at the earliest, Autoblog reports. As such, it’s too early to tell what engines it has or how much it will cost.

Is there room in the US lineup for something smaller than the Jeep Renegade? Considering how many US customers were clamoring for the Jimny, it’s clear there’s at least some demand. Plus, Autoblog points out that it gives European buyers a compact fuel-efficient Jeep that isn’t subject to import taxes.

We’ll just have to wait and see.

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