Everyone has taken a nap that lasted a little longer than the intended duration. In the case of the Jeep Cherokee, this compact SUV ended up hitting the snooze button a few times and skipping the 2024 and ’25 model years. Now one of the industry’s oldest nameplates (dating back to 1974) returns with an all-new look and a hybrid powertrain. Yes, it seems a little softer, a little more tailored to its actual use (commuting, running errands), but after some time on the roads around Malibu we found that Jeep’s updated Cherokee has been revived.
What’s new in the 2026 Cherokee?
Literally everything, my friend. As you can see from the boxy cot of the 2026 model, this isn’t just a massaged 2023 model. The new Cherokee rides on Stellantis’ STLA Large platform and has about six inches of extra wheelbase, the body is about two inches longer, and the vehicle weighs more. The 2026 Cherokee cuts through the air a bit more efficiently and can tow up to 3,500 pounds, although that’s 500 pounds less than what the 2023 model could do with the right options.
The atmosphere shouldn’t change much in the dirt either. The new Cherokee’s approach, breakover and departure angles are still impressive for a road-oriented crossover. The approach angle of 19.6 degrees and departure angle of 29.4 degrees are better (compared to 18.9 and 25.0 degrees respectively for a similarly equipped 2023 Cherokee), but the breakover angle is worse at 18.8 degrees than the old equivalent model’s 19.5. This is partly due to the longer wheelbase.
A more aggressive, off-road-oriented variant is likely to appear in the future, with bells and whistles such as a two-speed transfer case and limited-slip differentials. For now, the 2026 Cherokee lineup is limited to base, Laredo, Limited and Overland trims, none of which have these beefier mechanicals.
We haven’t even lifted the hood yet. Do that, and you’ll find a turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four, part of a hybrid powertrain that produces a combined 210 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque. Output runs through an electronically controlled, continuously variable transmission (instead of belts, this relies on an electric motor and planetary gear set) to a standard all-wheel drive system with a rear axle disconnect for improved fuel economy when coasting. EPA estimates are a tasty 39 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 37 mpg combined. That’s much better than the last Cherokee, which at best managed 21 city, 29 highway and 24 combinations. The hybrid powertrain produces more enthusiasm than the previous model’s 2.4-liter four, but still lags behind the old Trailhawk trim’s 2.0-liter turbo, which made 270 horses and 295 pound-feet.
The cabin has taken a huge step forward. We spent our time in a mid-range Limited, which had been spruced up with a few options, and is quite nice inside. While we had no trouble finding a ton of harder plastics, there’s so much variety in design and feel that the Cherokee really feels like a Costco Wagoneer. You get a whole host of standard equipment across the line-up, including passive entry, a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, rain-sensing wipers and a host of driver aids, including Jeep’s Level 2 Active Driving Assist technology.
How’s your driving?
Very nice, actually. Parent company Stellantis has a lot of experience with hybrids in Europe, so we weren’t surprised to find immediate refinement here. Like most traditional hybrids, the Cherokee’s small lithium-ion battery provides enough juice to the electric motors for decent off-the-line motivation, plus a claimed electric-only top speed of 62 mph. When we dug deep enough into the throttle to fire the gas engine into action, it came to life without any fuss.
The only real negative was the engine noise. The 1.6-liter doesn’t sound great. When the CVT revs up, say during a long uphill stretch, it’s accompanied by a straining groan that’s not exactly music to your ears. But usually you don’t notice it unless you accelerate hard.
The rest of the package also fits together nicely. The steering and brake pedals provide about as much feedback as a broken PlayStation controller, but they do what you want, as you expect them to do. The brake is easy to modulate and we noticed little or no harshness in the mix between regeneration and friction. The cabin was Toyota-level quiet, dampening the winds along the California coastline. The ride was also quite cold, with few disturbances reaching the cabin in any pronounced way.
Pricing for the 2026 Jeep Cherokee starts at $36,995 for the base model and goes up to $44,995 for the top-spec Overland. Considering the prices of its closest competitors and how much more space this new model has, we think Jeep has positioned the Cherokee well against its competitors. It’s a smooth, inoffensive hybrid with a much better interior and (for a Jeep, at least) good fuel economy. The extended nap served this model well.
➡️ Skip Fate. Let Car and Driver help you find your next car.
Shop new cars Shop used cars
Specifications
2026 JeepCherokee
Vehicle type: front engine, front engine, four-wheel drive, 5 passengers, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base: 4×4, $36,995; Laredo 4×4, $39,995; Limited 4×4, $41,995; 4×4 overland, $44,995
DRIVE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 1.6-liter inline-4, 177 hp, 221 lb-ft + 2 AC motors, 180 and 157 hp (combined power: 210 hp, 230 lb-ft; lithium-ion battery pack)
Transmission: continuously variable automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 113.0 inches
Length: 188.1 inches
Width: 74.7 inches
Height: 67.5 inches
Passenger volume, F/R: 52-56/49-52 ft3
Cargo volume, rear F/R: 68/34 ft3
Empty weight (CD estimate): 4300-4500 pounds
PERFORMANCE (CD EAST)
100 km/h: 8.1–8.3 sec
1/4 mile: 16.3–16.5 sec
Top speed: 185 km/h
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 37/39/35 mpg
Cars are Andrew Krok’s jam, along with boysenberry. After graduating with a degree in English from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2009, Andrew began cutting his teeth in writing freelance magazine articles, and now has a decade of full-time review experience under his belt. He was born in Chicago and has lived in Detroit since 2015. Maybe one day he’ll do something about his half-finished engineering degree.
#Driven #Jeep #Cherokee #puts #profits #powertrain