The 2026 Jeep Cherokee gets a much more modern look while maintaining visual ties to its past. It also debuts with a first-ever hybrid engine, promised to deliver as much as 500 miles on a tank of gas.
Struggling to get its balance back after suffering a series of self-inflicted wounds, Jeep is about to fill what has been a massive hole in its lineup with the return of the Cherokee SUV. It pulled the prior model from production in February 2023, a strange decision considering it competed in one of the biggest consumer vehicle segments in the U.S. market.
The sixth-generation Cherokee will face a tough challenge, winning back buyers who’ve migrated to competing products, like the Ford Bronco Sport, Toyota RAV4, and Honda CR-V. Jeep is betting it can get a leg up with a new SUV that blends good design, solid features, and a new hybrid engine expected to deliver as much as 37 mpg.
“We took the time to step back and analyze the North American midsize SUV market to understand one thing: what do customers want from a next-generation Jeep Cherokee?” said Jeep CEO Bob Broderdorf.
2026 Jeep Cherokee: What’s New
The 2026 Jeep Cherokee started out as a ground-up project. It shares the same STLA Large “architecture” used for a variety of other new products from parent Stellantis. It’s what the automaker describes as a “multi-energy” platform, meaning it can fit in a variety of different powertrains. That includes the all-electric drivetrains in the new Jeep Wagoneer S and Dodge Charger Daytona.
At launch, the gen-six Cherokee will be offered with a hybrid package, though company officials made it clear during a background briefing and subsequent interviews that other powertrain options will follow.
Cherokee has been stretched in every key dimension, growing 4.7 inches longer overall and increasing its wheelbase by 6.4 inches. It’s 1 inch wider than the fifth-generation SUV and 2 inches taller.
That all translates into more interior space, notably in the rear seats and cargo compartment. The latter is now 33.6 cubic feet, climbing to 68 cubic feet with the back row folded down. That’s 30% more than with the old Cherokee.
From a design standpoint, the 2026 model is likely to seem familiar to Jeep fans, adopting a bold, boxy stance with, of course, the familiar Jeep seven-slot grille. There are squared-off headlights, now LED, and distinctive “Jerry Can” taillights.
“I would never say this is a retro design, but we paid attention to the old XJ Cherokee,” built between 1984 and 2001,” said Vince Gallente, head of Jeep design. That said, his design team put early prototypes through extensive wind tunnel testing to reduce drag and improve fuel economy, they noted.
First-Ever Cherokee Hybrid
One of the biggest developments introduced on the 2026 Cherokee is its first-ever gas-electric hybrid system. It pairs a transverse-mounted 1.6L inline-4 gas engine with two electric motors drawing power from a 1 kWh lithium-ion battery.
The package delivers a combined 210 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque. That’s enough muscle, Jeep claims, to tow up to 3,500 pounds.
While the EPA hasn’t weighed in with official numbers, the automaker’s preliminary testing suggests that Cherokee will get rated around 42 mpg city, 33 highway, and 37 combined.
“This will be the only propulsion system in this vehicle when we launch it,” Micky Bly, the head of global powertrain development for Stellantis, said during a media background briefing.
But Bly subsequently left open the possibility — make that the probability — that additional powertrain options will become available over the next several years. Stellantis has six different powertrain technologies it can draw from, CEO Antonio Filosa, previously the Jeep brand CEO, said last year. A gas-only Cherokee is widely expected to follow. But there would be few surprises if Jeep also introduced a 4xe plug-in hybrid or even a range-extender.
Off-Road Capabilities
Jeep has made a number of mistakes in recent years, overpricing some products, like the Grand Wagoneer, and minimizing the capabilities of the little Renegade. The automaker is determined not to screw things up again, especially when it comes to Jeep’s classic off-road bonafides. All Cherokee trims will feature the Jeep Active Drive 4×4 system with rear axle disconnect, as well as a four-mode Selec-Terrain management system.
As with powertrain options, the brand is holding some things in reserve. We’ll all but certainly see some serious Trail-Rated packages to follow. But, even at launch, Cherokee will have some solid capabilities.
That Active Drive system has a double benefit; by disconnecting the rear axle when torque demands are light, it helps improve fuel economy. The Selec-Terrain system, meanwhile, lets a driver set up various vehicle functions to optimize grip and handling in conditions like snow, sand, or mud.
All launch versions of Cherokee will have 8 inches of ground clearance with what Jeep claims are best-in-class approach and departure angles of 19.6 and 29.4 degrees, respectively. Its breakover angle is 18.8 degrees.
Safety & Technology
As one might expect, there’s more technology built into the new SUV than before, including the latest Uconnect 5 infotainment system. It can be operated using voice, buttons on the steering wheel, or through a new 12.3-inch high-resolution infotainment screen standard on all trims.
There’s a second, 10.25-inch gauge cluster display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, while the Amazon Alexa voice assistant is one of the high-tech options.
Cherokee has 140 active safety systems, including Active Drive Assist, a semi-autonomous system with active cruise control. Other features include Blind-Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Path Detection and Intersection Collision Alert. Rain-sensing wipers are also standard.
2026 Jeep Cherokee: Pricing & Availability
At least for now, said brand chief Broderdorf, the 2026 Jeep Cherokee will be sold only in North America. Look for it to reach U.S. showrooms by “late 2025.”
Pricing for the base Cherokee is currently set at $36,995. The Laredo trim jumps to $39,995, Limited at $42,495, and Overland completes the initial trim quartet at $45,995. Add $1,995 in delivery fees to all 2026 Cherokee.
As to what we can expect to follow, “Trial-Rated (versions) are coming in the near future,” Broderdorf added.
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