2026 Jeep Cherokee First Look: A Modern Nod to XJ Heritage

At the start of 1927, Ford commanded half of the U.S. car market. But in May, Henry Ford finally acknowledged that the aging Tin Lizzy—introduced in 1908—needed replacing. He halted Model T production and set about designing the Model A, leaving dealers without cars for much of the year. Ford’s market share never fully recovered. That costly misstep taught automakers a key lesson: always have a successor ready before retiring a model. Jeep’s three-year absence from the red-hot compact crossover SUV segment feels like a modern-day echo of the same mistake.

But could the recent shifts in society and regulations mean that the all-new 2026 Jeep Cherokee is actually better positioned for success than a 2024 model, which would have been designed years earlier? For the sake of Stellantis’ roughly 50,000 U.S. hourly workers and the countless global shareholders who’ve recently taken a hit, one can only hope so.

Design: Hip 2B Square

The new 2026 Jeep Cherokee represents a bold departure from the 2023 model. Design chief Vince Galante drew heavily on childhood memories of family vacations in the original XJ-generation Jeep Cherokee—the very model that helped launch the unibody SUV segment. The all-new KM Cherokee channels as much of that classic Teague-designed boxiness as modern aerodynamics and wind-tunnel testing would permit.

The squared-off seven-slot grille is paired with U-shaped daytime running lights, a modern nod to the original rectangular sealed-beams tucked beneath the hood’s brow. Standard 18-inch wheels and optional 20-inch rims sit in XJ-inspired trapezoidal arches, while the taillamps wrap around the corners as before—now flipped horizontally, evoking Jeep’s signature jerrycan motif. The boxy, upright D-pillar recalls the XJ but adds a Germanic Hofmeister-like kink, and the more vertical greenhouse directly addresses a longtime KL 2026 Jeep Cherokee gripe: cargo space, which has now grown by 25 percent.

Much (STLA) Larger

On the topic of growth, shifting from Fiat-Chrysler’s Compact-Wide platform to Stellantis’ STLA Large adds 6.1 inches to overall length and stretches the wheelbase by 6.5 inches. The result? The new Cherokee sits at the boundary between the largest compact and smallest midsize SUVs—though it’s still grouped with compacts like the Honda CR-V, Ford Bronco Sport, Toyota RAV4, and Chevy Equinox.

The side profile highlights a long wheelbase and short overhangs, traits borrowed from battery-electric vehicles on the same platform (see the Jeep Wagoneer S). Width increases by 1.5 inches while height drops slightly by 0.3 inch, and nearly every interior dimension grows, boosting competitiveness in its class. At the launch, higher trims showcased Jeep’s upgraded materials, with top-tier Overland models featuring intricately perforated seat inserts. The three highest trims also offer an optional “Arctic” interior color scheme, while the base remains black.

100 Percent Hybrid (For Now)

Building the 2026 Jeep Cherokee on the STLA Large platform opens the door for future battery-electric, plug-in hybrid, or traditional combustion variants. At launch, however, Jeep will offer a single new powertrain: a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder paired with a two-motor planetary hybrid system, storing energy in a 1.1-kWh lithium-ion (NCM) battery positioned under the rear passenger compartment. (For context, Peugeot’s 1.6T hybrids typically use either e-DCT or eight-speed automatic transmissions.)

Yes, this is the same design Toyota originally patented (U.S. Patent No. 6,155,364) in 2000 and later licensed to Ford for similar hybrids in 2004. In April 2019, Toyota announced it would make 24,000 electrification-related patents royalty-free through the end of 2030—an opportunity that Stellantis apparently seized.

Power, Torque, Economy, & Range

The 1.6-liter turbo engine generates 177 hp at 5,500 rpm and 221 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 rpm. Jeep hasn’t released specific figures for the electric motors yet, but the combined output is reported at 210 hp and 230 lb-ft—slightly above the old Cherokee’s 2.4-liter naturally aspirated and 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder options. The new 2026 Jeep Cherokee 3,500-pound towing capacity comes just 500 pounds shy of the old 2.0L turbo’s, which is respectable for this class.

The new Cherokee easily outpaces its predecessor in fuel efficiency. While official EPA ratings aren’t yet released, Jeep projects city/highway/combined figures of 42/33/37 mpg. By comparison, the old Cherokee managed just 20–21/26–29/22–24 mpg—and that doesn’t even include the less-efficient V-6 from later in the last generation. With a 13.7-gallon tank, the new model can cover an estimated 507 miles, far surpassing the previous generation’s 15.8-gallon tank, which offered 348–379 miles. Jeep also shared rough calculations suggesting that the average U.S. commuter, paying typical gas prices, could spend under $100 per month on fuel in the new Cherokee.

The Jeep of Compact Hybrid SUVs

All-wheel drive comes standard on the 2026 Jeep Cherokee, just as it does on its natural rival, the Ford Bronco Sport. However, there’s no dedicated Trailhawk off-road trim at launch, nor any locking differentials. Instead, the Cherokee features Active Drive 1: a hybrid powertrain that can send power to the rear axle on demand. The system disconnects when not needed to reduce friction and save fuel, automatically re-engaging when extra traction is required. Rather than a center differential, clutch slippage prevents front–rear binding in tight turns. Jeep hints that Trail Rated-level enhancements will likely arrive in future updates.

Active Drive 1 offers four driving modes: Auto, Sand, Snow, and Mud, with front-to-rear torque distribution ranging from 100/0 to 50/50. Minimum ground clearance measures 8.0 inches—slightly lower than the outgoing Cherokee’s 8.3–8.7 inches, though keep in mind the gains in fuel efficiency. The 19.6-degree approach angle stacks up well against competitors, while the 29.4-degree departure angle leads its class, just shy of the previous Cherokee Trailhawk’s 32.2 degrees. A new Trailhawk is expected down the line, and it will likely push these numbers even higher.

Trim Grades and Price Walk

Base 2026 Jeep Cherokee come well-equipped, featuring a standard roof rack, a 10.3-inch digital cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, and a suite of safety features, starting at $36,995. That price is close to the cheapest Grand Cherokee—the $38,490 Laredo 4×2—and $2,945 above a 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid LE AWD (pricing for the all-new 2026 RAV4 Hybrid is forthcoming). However, Jeep’s mechanical AWD provides superior off-road and all-weather capability.

Moving up the lineup, the Laredo starts at $39,995, the Limited at $42,495, and the Overland at $45,995. The two top trims will hit showrooms late this year, while the more affordable models arrive in early 2026. While these prices feel steep for the compact hybrid SUV segment, Jeep may be banking on pent-up demand after a three-year hiatus to drive emotional, high-value purchases.

2026 Jeep Cherokee Specifications