The last Jeep product to wear the Cherokee nameplate was so beloved it survived three corporate ownership changes and an onslaught of more advanced competitors before finally meeting its demise at the hands of Daimler in 2001. Launched in 1984, that Cherokee—known internally as the XJ—and its boxy looks and loyal-bulldog reputation became an icon, and Jeep had no choice but to leave the name off its replacement. Calling the first-gen Liberty a Cherokee would have been akin to McDonald’s trying to pass off a tofu and bean-sprout sandwich as the Big Mac. (Of course, that didn’t stop Jeep from selling the Liberty as the Cherokee overseas.) But now, with a 12-year production run of the Liberty serving as buffer, Jeep is bringing back the Cherokee name to America, this time applying it to a vehicle that appears to be more CUV than SUV.

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Internationally Known

Built on Fiat and Chrysler’s modular Compact U.S. Wide platform that also underpins the Dodge Dart, the new Cherokee sports an international pedigree. Although using those Euro-derived bones saves Jeep both time and money in bringing the new Cherokee to market, its multinational DNA may alienate a few core customers.

Any sense of suspense over its design fizzled with the early release of official photos on the heels of leaked images—which confirmed the accuracy of our rendering. The newly available photography published here confirms that the new Cherokee’s styling echoes that of the Grand Cherokee, and that it certainly leans more toward the mall demographic than Moab. Judging by the exterior alone, it’ll have no problem fitting in among the CR-Vs and RAV4s of suburbia, although the funky, Nissan Juke–like lamp arrangement up front will make identification a snap.

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When it hits the street in mid-2013 as a 2014 model, the Cherokee will be available in four trim levels: Sport, Latitude, Limited, and the trail-rated Trailhawk. All share the basic exterior elements, including a one-piece hood and grille, integrated underbelly pans, a rear spoiler, and taillamps shaped to kick air away from the body. The front fascia features a modern interpretation of Jeep’s trademark seven-slot grille, with a prominent kink or “snap,” as Jeep calls it. Slim lighting binnacles house the requisite set of LED running lamps. The rear fascia carries Cherokee-specific fog lamps, and, in another indicator of its international upbringing, was designed from the start to easily accommodate license plates from around the globe. Eleven different finishes will be available at launch, ranging from standards such as Bright White and Brilliant Black to funkier selections that include Mango Tango Pearl and Anvil.

Jeepy Hardware

Chrysler’s 184-hp, 2.4-liter “Tigershark” four-cylinder is standard across the board, and will be the only available engine in the base Sport. The four makes 171 lb-ft of torque. The Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk trims can be upgraded to a 3.2-liter Pentastar V-6 with 271 horsepower and 239 lb-ft. The V-6 is basically a slightly smaller-displacement version of the 3.6-liter V-6 found across Chrysler’s vehicle lineup—we’ve known for a while it could support displacements from 3.0–4.0 liters—and is making its world debut under the hood of the new Cherokee. Chrysler’s new nine-speed automatic (assembled in Indiana under license from ZF) is the only available gearbox.

MARC URBANO, THE MANUFACTURER

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