Three years of silence and then – bam – the return of an icon. The 2026 Jeep Cherokee returns as a hybrid, bigger, sharper-edged and packed with technology. Plug-in-free, with long range and star-studded confidence, it dares to enter the fiercest SUV arena.
Under the hood Jeep Cherokee The 2026 is an all-new hybrid powertrain: a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, two electric motors, and a hybrid transmission. The system develops 157 kW (210 hp) and 313 Nm (230 lb-ft). This is not a 4xe plug-in hybrid – there is no plug, and the energy is stored in a small battery (around 1.1 kWh). The result: an estimated 6.36 l/100 km (37 mpg) and more than 805 km of range (>500 mi). Acceleration from 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph) takes 8.3 seconds. Fast… now slow.
Platform, dimensions and proportions: more Cherokee per square meter
The new Jeep Cherokee 2026 is based on the STLA Large architecture, which opens up more space and the potential for different powertrains in the future. Dimensions: it is 4,778 mm (188.1 in) long, 2,123 mm wide with mirrors (83.6 in) or 1,897 mm without (74.7 in), 1,717 mm (67.6 in) high, the wheelbase measures 2,870 mm (113.0 in). According to Jeep, luggage space is 30 % larger than before: 1,934 l (68.3 cu ft) with the rear seats folded. The trunk is nIn principle, around 900 liters, if we believe the calculation, as we have not found the data.
Design: retro on the right side of history
The designers have drawn a bold line under the past and taken the essence from it. The body is boxy again, with a U-shaped light signature around the LED headlights and a D-pillar embedded in the rear lights, which incidentally hints at the canisters of the type jerrycan. A quick glance is enough and you know: this is a Cherokee.
Cabin: less “meh,” more “aha!”
The interior is refined and quite inspired by the Wagoneer S: straight lines, better materials, lots of storage space. You get a 10.25-inch digital instrument display and a 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 infotainment system as standard, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a new rotary gear selector that frees up the center tunnel. The list also includes heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, a 360-degree camera, a digital rearview mirror, and much more.
Assistance and connectivity: full backpack
Standard: Active Driving Assist (level 2) with radar cruise control, automatic emergency braking (with pedestrian and cyclist detection), blind spot monitoring, cross traffic alert, fatigue detection and parking assistant with rear AEB. The Connect One package brings 10 years of OTA updates and the Jeep app; via the AppMarket you can add functions to the car (from Geocaching to Off-Road Pages+), including a Wi-Fi package.
4×4 Jeep style: DNA remains, consumption drops
The four-wheel drive follows logic: the standard Active Drive I 4×4 system with rear axle disconnection and Selec-Terrain programs (Auto, Sport, Snow, Sand/Mud) makes the most of the hybrid torque when the ground slips. The approach angle is 19.6°, the departure angle is 29.4°, the breakover angle is 18.8°, the ground clearance is 203 mm (8.0 inches) – very decent for the segment. The maximum permissible towing capacity of 1,588 kg (3,500 lb) is, according to Jeep, “unsurpassed in its class.” Trailhawk? Jeep confirms that it is in the making; details to follow.
Numbers that interest everyone (even those without a bike helmet)
- Power/torque: 157 kW (210 hp) / 313 Nm (230 lb‑ft)
- 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph): 8.3 seconds
- Consumption (combined): approximately 6.36 l/100 km (37 mpg)
- Range: >805 km (>500 mi)
- Towing: 1,588 kg (3,500 lb)
- Ground clearance: 203 mm (8.0 inches)
- Maximum speed: factory not (yet) published.
Prices and when it arrives
The official press release puts the starting price at $36,995 (including $1,995 for delivery) for the base Cherokee; $39,995 for the Laredo, $42,495 for the Limited, and $45,995 for the Overland. The Limited and Overland will go on sale first, in late 2025; the base and Laredo will follow in early 2026. Some media outlets are citing slightly different numbers (starting at $38,990 for the $, $44,490 for the Limited, $47,990 for the Overland), so keep an eye on the configurator when it opens. Production will be in Toluca, Mexico, and the hybrid assembly will come from Dundee, Michigan. That's why we're listing prices in dollars. It's likely to come to the EU as well.
Where does it actually sit on the class ladder?
Jeep shamelessly markets it as a “midsize” in terms of space, but at heart it remains the upper end of the compact class – which is honestly its strongest possible position: nimble enough for the city, mature enough for a boating holiday. The STLA Large and a 30 percent increase in boot space back up that stance with solid facts.
Conclusion
Jeep The 2026 Cherokee is a lesson in “less is more”: no plug, so no excuses. The hybrid package delivers real-world fuel consumption (≈6.36 l/100 km) and a range that makes everyday life easier, while maintaining Jeep’s DNA: 4×4 is standard, corners are very competitive, and the towing capacity of 1,588 kg is quite serious in the segment. The cabin is finally grown up – digital and practical – with 10.25″ + 12.3″ screens, a solid set of Level 2 assistants and a decade of OTA support. Prices are – according to the press – noticeably below 40 thousand, but according to various publications, they will be most accurate when the online configurator really goes live. If the Trailhawk adds that little “grrr” that mud lovers want, this could be the model that opens the door to Jeep’s hearts (and garages) again. Retro charm? Present. Modern efficiency? Also. In this combination, Cherokee doesn't back down - he simply takes what's rightfully his.
