Stellantis is preparing a major reset of its North American vehicle lineup, and the next-generation Jeep Cherokee will play a central role. The 2029 Cherokee is set to become the first U.S.-built vehicle based on the company’s new STLA One modular platform, with production planned at the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois.
STLA One Will Underpin More Than 30 Models
STLA One is a key part of Stellantis’ FaSTLAne 2030 plan. The modular architecture is designed to reduce engineering complexity, accelerate production and support more than 30 models worldwide by 2035.
The platform is intended to accommodate different vehicle sizes, powertrains and configurations, ranging from compact crossovers to full-size SUVs. That flexibility could give Jeep room to adjust the next Cherokee as market demands change.
2029 Jeep Cherokee Details Remain Limited
Stellantis has not yet revealed the design or powertrain details of the 2029 Cherokee. There are currently no teaser images or design sketches, leaving the STLA One platform as the clearest indication of what the new Jeep could offer.
Pilot production is scheduled to begin in early 2028, followed by full-scale production in the second half of 2029. That timeline gives Jeep several years to finalize the next-generation Cherokee.
The Cherokee Just Returned for 2026
The upcoming model will follow the Cherokee’s recent return to the Jeep lineup. The nameplate disappeared in 2023 before returning for the 2026 model year with its first conventional hybrid powertrain.
The current setup combines a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with twin electric motors in an electrified system linked to Toyota’s hybrid technology.
Stellantis Plans More Than $800 Million for Belvidere
The Belvidere Assembly Plant is being prepared for the Cherokee’s future production. Stellantis now expects to invest more than $800 million in the Illinois facility, increasing its planned spending from the $600 million announced in 2025.
More than $60 million has already been invested in upgrades to the plant’s stamping, body, paint and assembly operations.
A Major Part of Stellantis’ U.S. Reset
The Cherokee is being positioned as more than another addition to Jeep’s lineup. Its production will serve as an early test of Stellantis’ new vehicle architecture and its broader effort to bring more products to the North American market.
Stellantis has committed more than $13 billion to its U.S. operations over four years and plans to launch 11 all-new vehicles and 12 refreshed models in North America.
For now, the 2029 Jeep Cherokee remains largely defined by its name, production location and STLA One platform. But its role in Stellantis’ broader strategy could make the next-generation Cherokee one of the company’s most significant Jeep launches of the decade.
