Jeep might be as American as apple pie and baseball, but its newest model is headed right for China. It’s called the Grand Commander, and it won’t be found outside China’s borders. Based on a lengthened version of Fiat Chrysler’s CUSW platform that also underpins the Jeep Cherokee, the new Grand Commander will accommodate seven people over three rows.

Jeep is already taking orders for the new SUV despite it not being officially debuted. That is expected to happen at the 2018 Beijing Auto Show in April before it arrives in showrooms shortly after.

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Despite Jeep’s best efforts to keep details under wraps, reports say the Grand Commander is 191 inches long and will be powered by Jeep’s new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. The engine will be offered at two power levels, with the base tune making 234 horsepower and the premium tune offering 265 horsepower. A nine-speed automatic is standard, just as in the FWD-biased 2019 Jeep Cherokee.

There is no word whether the 2.0-liter utilized the mild-hybrid system found on the 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL. A plug-in hybrid version is expected in the future, too. It’s very likely the same plug-in powertrain headed for the Wrangler in the coming years.

The Grand Commander will have 4WD as an option, but based on the long overhangs and lengthy wheelbase, China’s new Jeep will be limited to all-weather driving rather than rock crawling.

Not America’s Jeep

There have been mistaken reports pinging the Grand Commander as the foundation for Jeep’s new Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer SUVs slotted to compete against high-end vehicles like the Range Rover. That’s not the case, however. FCA has confirmed the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer will ride on a modified version of Ram’s new 1500 ladder frame and use its independent front and solid axle with multi-link rear suspension. Ram’s air ride will likely be standard equipment, too, at least on the larger and more luxurious Grand Wagoneer. Jeep is expected to debut these SUVs in the coming year.

References

Jeep Cherokee

Read our full driven review on the 2019 Jeep Cherokee.

Read our full speculative review on the 2018 Jeep Grand Wagoneer.

Read more Jeep news.