The American brand is rethinking its European presence and promises five “multi-energy” all-wheel-drive models by 2030.
While some automakers are desperately cutting their lineups and reducing budgets, Jeep is making a bold move—or, more precisely, making a Jeep move. The American brand, part of the Stellantis group, has announced a major expansion of its European lineup: by 2030, European buyers will receive three completely new models. Two compact crossovers and one large body-on-frame SUV are intended to convince Europeans that Jeep is not just the iconic Wrangler, which has long been unavailable for sale there, but also a relevant player in today’s market.
Today, Jeep’s European lineup is essentially built around two vehicles. The first compact crossover is the Jeep Avenger, a former “Car of the Year” winner and the brand’s current bestseller in the region.
The second is the midsize Jeep Compass, which remains in the shadow of its younger sibling.
The Jeep Recon SUV is expected to join this pair soon, but apparently Stellantis’ ambitions do not end there.
According to the strategic plan revealed as part of the FaSTLAne 2030 development program, Jeep’s European lineup will grow to six full-fledged models by the end of the decade. All three announced newcomers will feature “multi-energy” powertrains and all-wheel drive—and this is not just a marketing slogan, but a fundamental product requirement insisted on by the brand itself.
In the past, Jeep simply adapted American models for Europe, sometimes with mixed results. Now the company intends to develop vehicles specifically designed around the needs of local buyers. According to Fabio Catone, head of Jeep Europe, the new strategy involves “strong regional orientation” while maintaining the brand’s global values.
The first two announced vehicles are compact B-segment crossovers that appear in corporate documents under the working names “B-SUV Compact” and “B-SUV Large.” Official names have not yet been announced—the company is keeping the mystery alive, although observers are already developing theories.
Both vehicles will sit above the current Avenger in the lineup hierarchy but below the Compass. However, the difference between them is significant:
Both crossovers will be based on the new STLA One platform—a universal Stellantis architecture that the company is gradually introducing across its brands. An important detail: the platform was originally designed around Jeep’s requirements, including approach and departure angles needed for genuine off-road use rather than just a visual imitation of capability in a shopping mall parking lot.
Catone specifically emphasized that these vehicles will feature true 4WD with “best-in-class off-road capability,” rather than a basic on-demand all-wheel-drive system. It is possible that the new models will receive steer-by-wire technology—steering without a mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the wheels—which Stellantis is also introducing on Peugeot models. Production of both crossovers is planned in Europe, and the first STLA One-based vehicle is expected to debut as early as 2027.
A curious detail for those following the brand’s history: there are reasons to believe that one of the new B-SUV models could become the spiritual successor to the Jeep Renegade—a model that was quietly discontinued in North America and Europe, although it continues to exist in Brazil.
The most unexpected and perhaps most discussed part of the announcement is the large D-SUV that Jeep will develop in partnership with Chinese manufacturer Dongfeng. The vehicle will be produced in China on the Chinese partner’s platform, but Catone insists that the design, engineering solutions, and overall concept are entirely Jeep products.
The head of Jeep Europe used an unexpectedly precise comparison: “It is similar to the iPhone model—the technical features fully match the brand identity, but we use someone else’s manufacturing infrastructure.” It sounds convincing, although skeptics will likely argue that the difference between an iPhone and “just a smartphone” is that Apple controls the entire process from silicon to software.
Still, the comparison with Dongfeng is not accidental: the Chinese company already has experience working with Stellantis—in particular, the two companies cooperate on developing new Peugeot models for global markets. So this is a proven partnership, not an experimental gamble.
According to available information, the new flagship Jeep will likely be based on the M-Hero platform from Dongfeng’s off-road sub-brand.
The most likely “donor” is the M-Hero M817 model, known in its domestic market as the Mengshi M817. This five-meter body-on-frame SUV with angular styling is offered exclusively with all-wheel drive and either a PHEV or range-extender powertrain producing a combined output of up to an impressive 972 horsepower.
For comparison, with these specifications, the new Jeep could compete directly with the Land Rover Defender and Toyota Land Cruiser—two undisputed leaders in Europe’s large SUV segment.
Jeep’s decision to target this niche is both bold and logical. The brand has historically been associated with serious off-road capability, while Europe’s large body-on-frame SUV segment remains a “white space” currently occupied mainly by British and Japanese manufacturers. Catone says it directly: “D-SUV is a white space for us in Europe, and globally it is a very strong pillar for Jeep.”
It is worth remembering that Jeep’s attempt to sell the Grand Cherokee in Europe did not produce significant results at the time: the American SUV was considered too large and too expensive for European tastes. However, the market has changed significantly since then—large SUVs are no longer exotic even in Europe.
Against the backdrop of these optimistic announcements, several notable omissions stand out. The legendary Jeep Wrangler remains unavailable in Europe, with strict emissions regulations being the reason why the traditional body-on-frame SUV with a gasoline engine no longer fits current requirements. Catone acknowledges the issue and says the company “continues to look for options” to bring the Wrangler back to Europe, but he does not provide specific timelines. Brand fans can still hope, even if that hope remains uncertain.
Another notable point is that there was no mention of the electric Jeep Recon and Jeep Wagoneer S—two fully electric models whose European prospects were actively discussed several years ago. It appears that earlier plans to bring them to the European market have quietly been pushed aside for now, which itself reflects the difficult situation facing electric vehicles across the industry.
Jeep’s European strategy looks unconventional but carefully considered. Instead of simply duplicating its American lineup, the brand is creating a separate European product portfolio—with local production for compact crossovers and a Chinese partner for its flagship SUV. It is both a risk and an opportunity.
The risk is obvious: European buyers have long viewed large American SUVs with skepticism and Chinese partnerships with caution. But the opportunity is also real: the compact SUV segment in Europe continues to grow, while the market for large body-on-frame SUVs with serious off-road capability remains largely unfilled.
Jeep promises that all three new models will retain the brand’s signature off-road character—not just as a statement, but as something measurable through approach angles and water-fording depth. If that promise is fulfilled, by 2030 the Americans could become one of the most interesting players in Europe’s SUV market. In that case, the iPhone comparison would become more than a clever metaphor—it would be an accurate description of the new Jeep: built somewhere far away, but working exactly the way you wanted.
The first production models from Jeep’s new European lineup are expected to arrive starting in 2027. Official names for all three new vehicles have not yet been revealed.