BREAKING: Jeep unveils 2014 Cherokee amidst leaked photos, no more Liberty nameplate

In lieu of some spy shots leaking onto the Internet of Jeep’s rumored Liberty successor, Jeep seems to have just decided to release official photos under growing pressure from exposure throughout the automotive newscape.

Jalopnik was originally able to snag some spy shots of the Jeep Liberty successor just as they came fresh off of the assembly line, which at the time, was rumored to be dropping the Liberty name so that Jeep could revive the Cherokee nameplate. But now, Jeep released an official press release to say that the new Liberty successor will indeed don the classic Cherokee nameplate for 2014 and beyond.

So far, the initial reaction—particularly from the public sphere—has been fairly divided. And to be honest, this 2014 Jeep Cherokee seems to be a bit radical and polarizing to look at. Additionally, it’s fairly obvious that the Jeep Liberty Cherokee has gone a bit more crossover-like, rather than upright SUV-style.

However, a lot of bespoke styling cues still remain to help differentiate the Cherokee from other crossovers in its class. For instance, you have the traditional seven-slot grille. Not to mention, it almost looks as if the 2014 Jeep Cherokee morphed into being an enlarged Jeep Compass.

Details were kept to a minimum from Jeep themselves, so there’s no word on pricing or powertrain options as of yet. Though I’m sure we can expect those details to cycle their way into the newscape as we get closer to the Cherokee’s world debut at this year’s New York Auto Show.

Until then, these pictures and a very short press release after the jump. In the meantime, please also feel free to express your thoughts on this 2014 Jeep Cherokee in the comment section below and tell us what you think!

Auburn Hills, Mich. – Jeep(r) Cherokee. The name is instantly recognizable as the most capable and versatile mid-size SUV in the world. For 2014, Jeep brings the Cherokee name back to North America with the debut of its all-new mid-size sport-utility vehicle.

Set to debut at the New York International Auto Show in March, the all-new, “no-compromise” 2014 Jeep Cherokee sets a new standard with even more best-in-class capability, exemplary on-road driving dynamics, and fuel economy improvements of more than 45 percent versus the outgoing mid-size SUV model.

The all-new 2014 Jeep Cherokee will be built in the United States at Chrysler Group’s Toledo Assembly Plant in Toledo, Ohio, and will arrive in dealer showrooms in the third quarter of this year.

– By: Chris Chin