Photo: Jeep
Like many automakers in the U.S., Chrysler is currently tip-toeing into the light-duty diesel vehicle market, but don’t expect too many future models to offer a diesel engine until customers start buying more of them. Specifically, Jeep CEO Mike Manley said that sales of the Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel would need to double before the automaker starts to consider selling the diesel Jeep Cherokee here.
In an interview with Automotive News, Manley said that while the new 3.0-liter EcoDiesel is a strong seller in the Ram 1500, the take-rate in the Jeep Grand Cherokee has dropped off since its introduction last year. Only about 8 percent of Grand Cherokee models are equipped with the diesel engine, and for a strong case for a diesel Cherokee, Manley would like to see that percentage grow to somewhere in the “mid-double digits.”
Although Manley does expect that number to grow, it doesn’t sound like we’ll be getting a diesel version of the Cherokee anytime soon, but he still added that he would “never rule anything out with diesel for the Jeep brand." All versions of the 2014 Jeep Cherokee are produced in Toldeo, OH, but while our version is limited to the gas four-cylinder and V-6, these SUVs are exported to Europe with a 2.0-liter Multijet diesel four-cylinder (shown above). This engine produces just 140 hp to go along with 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque, which is available at just 1,750 rpm.
It’s this kind of low-end grunt that would make the diesel popular with Jeep’s off-road enthusiasts, but it would likely add a hefty premium to the affordable SUV’s price. On the Grand Cherokee, the diesel is a $4,500 option, and it’s a $2,350 upcharge on the Ram 1500. Of course, with all this attention on the possibility of a diesel Cherokee in the U.S., we’d be plenty happy with a diesel Wrangler as a consolation.
Although Manley does expect that number to grow, it doesn’t sound like we’ll be getting a diesel version of the Cherokee anytime soon, but he still added that he would “never rule anything out with diesel for the Jeep brand." All versions of the 2014 Jeep Cherokee are produced in Toldeo, OH, but while our version is limited to the gas four-cylinder and V-6, these SUVs are exported to Europe with a 2.0-liter Multijet diesel four-cylinder (shown above). This engine produces just 140 hp to go along with 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) of torque, which is available at just 1,750 rpm.
It’s this kind of low-end grunt that would make the diesel popular with Jeep’s off-road enthusiasts, but it would likely add a hefty premium to the affordable SUV’s price. On the Grand Cherokee, the diesel is a $4,500 option, and it’s a $2,350 upcharge on the Ram 1500. Of course, with all this attention on the possibility of a diesel Cherokee in the U.S., we’d be plenty happy with a diesel Wrangler as a consolation.
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