Jeep, a globally recognized SUV brand, is facing a severe sales slump in Australia. Once a market leader with 30,408 units sold in 2014, the brand plummeted to a record low of just 1,682 units in 2025 – its worst performance since VFACTS records began in 1997. This decline is due to a combination of rising prices, limited model availability, and lingering reputational damage from past quality control issues.
The situation has worsened to the point where Jeep’s dealer network has shrunk from 65 locations in 2021 to just 44 by early 2025, fueling speculation about a potential withdrawal from the Australian market. While other Stellantis brands like Abarth, Alfa Romeo, and Fiat have always been niche players, Jeep’s case is different: it was once a mainstream contender now rapidly fading.
The brand’s reliance on electric vehicles (EVs) alone won’t solve the problem. The electric Wagoneer S and Recon, though stylish and capable, are priced at a level that doesn’t align with Australian consumer preferences. The key to recovery lies in bringing the right models to market at the right price point. Here are five vehicles that could revitalize Jeep’s fortunes Down Under:
1. Avenger Petrol, Mild-Hybrid
The electric Jeep Avenger has failed to gain traction in Australia, with only 79 units sold in 2024 and 97 in 2025. The issue isn’t the vehicle itself, but its pricing and powertrain. Offering a petrol or mild-hybrid version with a starting price in the low $30,000s would make it far more competitive against affordable Chinese rivals. The European-market 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, with or without mild-hybrid assistance, could be the answer.
Jeep has already indicated interest in this option, and given the extended Avenger lineup is available in right-hand drive, it’s a viable solution. The key is affordability – something Jeep has struggled with in recent years.
2. Wrangler 392
Value-priced vehicles from the likes of GWM and BYD are muscling into Jeep’s established off-road turf, but there’s one thing they don’t have yet (and in the case of BYD, never will): a V8 engine. That’s where the currently left-hand drive-only Wrangler has an ace up its sleeve. Powering the Wrangler Moab 392 is a naturally aspirated 6.4-litre petrol V8 pumping out 350kW of power and 637Nm of torque.
3. Cherokee
Jeep inexplicably lacks a competitor in Australia’s largest SUV segment. The last Cherokee was discontinued in 2022, leaving a void in the lineup. The newly reintroduced KM-series Cherokee in the US fills this gap, offering a hybrid powertrain and a competitive size. However, it’s currently only available in left-hand drive, a critical barrier to entry. A right-hand drive version would immediately make it a strong contender in the crowded mid-size SUV market.
4. Grand Cherokee
The current Grand Cherokee lineup has not resonated with Australian buyers. The absence of a turbo-diesel option and the high price of the plug-in hybrid version have contributed to its underperformance. Introducing a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder model, or even reviving the diesel, could reignite interest. A V8 version, though less popular in the past, would also help Jeep stand out in a competitive segment.
5. Grand Wagoneer
Toyota and Nissan dominate the upper large SUV segment, but Jeep could disrupt this market with a Grand Wagoneer. Larger than even the Yukon and LandCruiser 300 Series, this full-size SUV offers a unique American alternative. The 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline six or the extended-range EREV powertrain (with a petrol V6 generator) could appeal to buyers seeking space and capability. However, a local right-hand drive remanufacturing program would be essential to make it viable.
Conclusion: Jeep’s survival in Australia depends on bringing the right vehicles to market at competitive prices. The key is offering models that cater to local preferences – affordable, capable, and readily available in right-hand drive. Without these changes, the brand risks disappearing from the Australian automotive landscape altogether.
