2026 Jeep Cherokee Returns as High-Mileage Hybrid

After more than a few teasers and plenty of spy photos, Jeep has finally pulled the wraps off its 2026 Cherokee mid-size SUV. Combining styling elements from the storied nameplate’s past with fully modern technology and components, the new Cherokee promises to be roomier, more comfortable and more efficient than previous models while still maintaining the off-road capability the brand’s customers deem important.

Related: Jeep Previews Refreshed 2026 Grand Cherokee

The big news for the new Cherokee is… well, everything. It’s a totally new vehicle on a completely new platform with a brand-new powertrain that hasn’t yet been used in an American vehicle from parent automaker Stellantis. The Cherokee fills a gap sorely needed in the company’s U.S. product lineup, and it initially seems to have everything needed to be a sales success — if Jeep can pull off a launch without quality issues.

Trim Levels, Pricing and Release Date

Four trim levels will initially be available with the new Cherokee: base, Laredo, Limited and Overland. A Trailhawk variant will be coming later at an undisclosed time, but Jeep executives promised at the Cherokee’s unveiling that one is in the works. First to arrive will be the pricier Limited and Overland trims in late 2025, with the base trim and Laredo arriving in early 2026. Pricing for the lineup is as follows (all prices include an eye-popping $1,995 destination charge):

• Base: $36,995
• Laredo: $39,995
• Limited: $42,495
• Overland: $45,995

New Style, New Space

Built at Stellantis’ Toluca, Mexico, assembly plant, the mid-size 2026 Cherokee moves to the bigger STLA Large platform that also provides the basis for several other Stellantis models, including the new Dodge Charger, Jeep Wagoneer S and upcoming Jeep Recon. The Cherokee’s distinctive styling recalls classic Jeep SUV motifs, such as the seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches, and blends them with a progressive, modern look that will tie in well with the rest of the brand’s about-to-be-updated showroom (coming soon are a redesigned Grand Cherokee and Grand Wagoneer and the all-new, electric Recon).

Dimensionally, it’s bigger than the old Cherokee, which went out of production after the 2023 model year, and should provide considerably more interior room; it’s 5 inches longer, 10.4 inches wider and 1.3 inches taller, with a whopping 6.4-inch longer wheelbase. Cargo room in particular is 30% greater than in the outgoing model, according to Jeep, thanks to the much more squared-off styling and higher roofline. The traditional Jeep design also prioritizes its off-road capability, with brand-claimed best-in-class approach and departure angles, a breakover angle of 18.8 degrees and an 8-inch ground clearance.

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A First for Jeep: Full-Time Hybrid Drive

Initially, the ‘26 Cherokee will be offered with one powertrain: a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine mated to two electric motors and a continuously variable automatic transmission sending torque to all four wheels. This combination, which introduces an all-new engine pulled from Stellantis’ global parts bin but optimized and integrated into a hybrid system, makes its North American debut in the new Cherokee. Total power output is rated at 210 horsepower and 230 pounds-feet of torque, which is an acceptable level of grunt for a vehicle this size and is comparable to competitors from Honda, Hyundai, Kia and Toyota.

Fuel economy is also comparable, with the company saying that the preliminary estimate is 37 mpg combined, putting the Cherokee’s hybrid system squarely among its competitors. What the Cherokee won’t have is a plug-in option (yet, anyway), something that Toyota and Hyundai have started offering as higher-performance variants.

The four-wheel-drive system also has a rear-axle disconnect for improved highway mileage, and four drive modes are included with Selec-Terrain electronic traction management: Auto, Sport, Snow and Sand/Mud. The systems should provide for a total range of 500 miles on a full tank, yet also deliver an 8.3-second 0-60 mph time.

A New but Familiar Interior

Inside, the Cherokee goes the way a lot of new vehicles are going — all screens, all the time. Buttons are mostly banished as the Cherokee adopts an interior similar to that of the Wagoneer S, full of flowing shapes and smooth plastic screens. What it won’t have is actual leather; for environmental and demographic preference reasons, high-end vinyl upholstery will be the upmarket option, but in a quality that Jeep feels will be sufficient that nobody’s really going to notice. (Cloth upholstery will be standard in lower-end trims.) Upholstery color options aren’t terribly adventurous, however, with hues limited to black and gray for all trims.

A squared-off steering wheel is also present, but that’s not a bad thing, as it will help maximize a driver’s ability to see all of the standard 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster’s real estate. To the right of the gauge display is a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen running the latest Uconnect 5 multimedia software, and below that is a capacitive touch panel to run climate controls and other functions. The only things on the center console that aren’t touch-sensitive are the drive mode selector and rotary gearshift, both of which are metal and operate as they look.

The interior gets a slight boost in front-seat headroom and legroom room thanks to the new platform. And according to Jeep’s measurements, total cargo room is 33.6 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 68.3 cubic feet with the rear seatbacks lowered for maximum cargo capacity.

Considerable Standard Equipment

The new Cherokee will offer a considerable amount of standard equipment even on the base trim level, including:

• The digital screen interior
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert
• Drowsy driver detection
• Lane-centering steering with adaptive cruise control
• Rear parking sensors with rear emergency braking

There’s a long list of optional equipment, as well, including:

• A dual-pane moonroof
• Foot-activated power liftgate
• 360-degree camera system
• Digital rearview mirror
• Heated rear seats
• Ventilated front seats
• Windshield wiper de-icers

With Jeep going standard hybrid for the new Cherokee and doing it at a reasonable base price, it seems the brand has gotten the message on content and pricing.

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