Jeep Planning to Add 7-seat SUV to Lineup Soon
New Jeep would fit between Grand Cherokee and upcoming Wagoneer, appear after the Gladiator truck launch in 2019.
Not too long ago, Jeep had a full-size seven-seat SUV, in the form of the short-lived 2006-2010 Commander. Since then, there have been plans for a successor seven-seater from as early as 2011. Alas, not much has come of them.
Until now. AutoExpress spoke with Jeep boss Mike Manley about the planned seven-seater, set to arrive after the Gladiator’s launch later this year.
“We’ve made some announcements for investments in our US plants,” Manley told AutoExpress, “which are really important for us because that brings two additional products to our Jeep portfolio, segments that frankly I’ve wanted to be in for a long time.”
While the first segment includes the return of the Wagoneer, the second, Manley says, is a three-row model “which will technically play in the same segment as Grand Cherokee.” He adds that most of the large SUV segment features seven-seaters, of which only the Grand Cherokee as 40 percent. The addition of a new companion will help boost Jeep’s part of the pie.
As for what name the new seven-seat Jeep SUV will wear, it will likely not be an extension of the Grand Cherokee, as Manley doesn’t want to mess around with the iconic SUV.
“It’s like if I dramatically changed what Wrangler looked like – I’d be crucified,” Manley said. “Grand Cherokee, interestingly, has a customer base that loves it because it’s got rear-wheel drive, well-positioned stance, and dimensionally it’s perfect.”
Photos: AutoExpress
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