Report: Jeep Liberty to Return as Cherokee, Ram Reconsiders Compact Pickup

Jeep’s future is filled with intriguing new products, some the result of Fiat’s influence. The new Jeep Liberty may wear Cherokee badges in the U.S., a new report suggests, while it appears Ram is still considering a compact truck to compete with the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, and upcoming Chevrolet Colorado. Read on to learn more about potential changes coming to the Jeep and Ram lineups, some of which we’ve told you about before.

The Chevrolet Suburban-challenging seven-passenger Jeep Grand Wagoneer is headed to dealerships for the 2014 model year, replacing the Dodge Durango. Though the current Durango SUV may be on the way out, Automotive News reports that Dodge may resurrect the Durango in a couple years using a different plant.

For the 2014 model year, U.S. Jeep fans may witness the return of the Cherokee badge, on the back of the next-generation Jeep Liberty. In the U.K., the outgoing Jeep Liberty already wears Cherokee badges. As for the Grand Cherokee, a 3.0-liter diesel engine and eight-speed automatic is coming for the 2014 model year while the 8.4-inch touch screen that’s offered in everything from the Dodge Dart to the Chrysler 300 will make an appearance, as well. Jeep’s other best-seller, the Wrangler, will get a heavy-duty version of the new gearbox by the 2014 calendar year with a redesign slated for 2017. Next year, the Compass and Patriot will get a new six-speed automatic (the latter surviving at least through 2014) and a subcompact Jeep, based on Fiat’s SUSW (Small U.S. Wide) platform, will begin production in 2014.

Meanwhile, Ram is still moving forward with plans to expand its portfolio of commercial vans based on Fiat platforms. The small Fiat Doblo, for example, will arrive here with a to-be-announced nameplate for model year 2014 along with a replacement for the Dodge-Caravan-based commercial van. Later on, we can expect to see a larger van based on the front-drive Fiat Ducato, taking the place of the departed Sprinter van (lost in the Mercedes-Benz divorce).

Changes for Ram pickup trucks include a possible diesel powertrain for the light-duty 1500 (by model year 2014) and updates to the 2500/3500 heavy-duty variants, which should include a new eight-speed automatic. Ram is still on the fence about bringing back a compact truck to its lineup. Should it get the green light, it may receive the Rampage badge also used on a 2006 Dodge concept.

Source: Automotive News, 2 (Subscription required)