Jeep Australia is open to returning to the popular mid-size SUV class after the global demise of the Cherokee, but expects the smaller Compass and larger Grand Cherokee to cater to buyers until a suitable new product arrives.
Right-hand drive production of the Cherokee was shuttered late last year, and Jeep has since axed the mid-size SUV around the globe, leaving nothing to compete in Australia’s most popular vehicle segment against juggernauts like the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5 and Mitsubishi Outlander.
Speaking to CarsGuide at the local launch of the Grand Cherokee five-seater, Jeep Australia Head of Product Rick Crichton said the SUV brand always keeps an eye on what is available for Down Under.
“Any future product announcements will be subject to future news,” he said.
“We’re always interested in what products are available globally, so we’ll have to see if something fits the job.”
However, at present, there is nothing in Jeep’s global portfolio that would fit the bill for Australia.
India and other emerging markets have access to the Jeep Commander (also known as Meridian), built on the same platform as the Compass but enlarged to accommodate seating for seven.
The Commander has two powertrain options – either a 136kW/270Nm 1.3-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder or a 125kW/380Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel – and is also built in India in right-hand drive like its Compass sibling.
However, Jeep Australia has confirmed there are no plans for such a model to arrive locally.
Jeep also has a new Avenger in its portfolio, but it is sized below the now-unavailable-in-Australia Renegade small SUV, and is positioned as a mild-hybrid and all-electric alternative to the likes of the Nissan Juke and Honda HR-V for European buyers.
For now, Jeep Australia is hoping that would-be mid-size SUV buyers are enticed by the larger-than-usual Compass small SUV – it being only slightly smaller than the likes of the Mazda CX-5.
Likewise, the recently-launched Grand Cherokee five-seater is also positioned to sway buyers into something larger and more expensive.
“We’ve got Compass available, which is a larger small SUV, so we’re counting on that to do part of the job as well,” Crichton said.
“And then we’ve obviously got a five seat and a seven seat Grand Cherokee.
“So people that are looking for that medium SUV might find themselves stepping up into a five seat.”
For reference, the Jeep Cherokee was available in three trims before being axed – Limited, S-Limited and Trailhawk, priced from $54,050 before on-road costs to $56,950.
The Compass, meanwhile, currently ranges from $41,100 (Jeep Australia’s most affordable model) to $59,100, while the new Grand Cherokee five-seater kicks off from $77,950.
Keyword: What's Jeep Australia going to do now without a Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5 rival?