Quick Highlights:
- Returns after 3 years with a starting price of $36,995 (cheaper than 2023)
- 6 inches longer, 1.5 inches wider, with 25% more cargo room
- Hybrid-only 210 hp AWD powertrain with 37 mpg and 507 miles of range
- Four trims (Base, Laredo, Limited, Overland) arriving late 2025–early 2026
After 3 years, the Cherokee is finally back from its hiatus — happy news for Jeep fans who’ve been waiting for updates on one of the brand’s most important nameplates. The 2026 Jeep Cherokee doesn’t tiptoe into the segment; it returns bigger, more efficient, and surprisingly more affordable than the model that left in 2023.
For now, the SUV launches without a low-range transfer case and no plug-in hybrid variant, but Jeep confirms a “Trail Rated” off-road model is on the way. And with rivals like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V dominating sales charts during Cherokee’s absence, Jeep is clearly aiming to win back buyers with this bold U-turn.
Larger Dimensions, Retro Spirit
The 2026 Cherokee now rides on Stellantis’ STLA Large platform, stretched by 6.1 inches in overall length with a wheelbase that grows to 113 inches. Width is up by another 1.5 inches. The result is a cabin that finally feels roomy, backed by a 25 percent jump in cargo space—34 cubic feet behind the second row and as much as 68 cubic feet with the seats folded flat.
From the outside, Jeep has taken a greatest-hits approach. The squared-off body, trapezoidal arches, and upright D-pillar will feel instantly familiar to anyone who remembers the XJ Cherokee of the ’80s and ’90s. Even the rear lamps, shaped in a nod to Jeep’s old jerrycan, add a clever callback. But this isn’t retro for the sake of it—the stance is wider, the lines are sharper, and the design has been updated to compete with today’s crossovers while still showing buyers where the Cherokee’s DNA comes from.
Hybrid Power With Actual Range
For 2026, the Cherokee is hybrid-only, with no gas-only option available. The new Cherokee gets its propulsion from a single 1.6-liter turbo inline-four hybrid engine with two electric motors generating 210 horsepower and 230 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is 37 mpg combined, with a projected 507 miles per tank.
There’s also standard Active Drive 1 all-wheel drive with a few drive modes—Auto, Snow, Sand, and Mud—that provide confidence under every condition. Ground clearance is 8 inches, with approach and departure angles among the best in class (19.6° approach, 29.4° departure). Jeep promises a more off-road-focused Trailhawk model with additional equipment later on.
Towing capacity is 3,500 pounds (1,588 kg), suitable for small campers and trailers; 5th-wheel trailers require a truck with a specialized hitch.
The New cabin more In
Get behind the wheel in the 2026 Cherokee and it just feels up to date. All trims include as standard a 10.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and over-the-air updates, and Amazon Alexa integration. The design is sleeker, the storage more clever and materials feel ever so slightly superior.
Still higher trims, like the Limited and Overland, will incorporate quilted leather, open-pore wooden details, ventilated seats and an all-new Arctic interior theme. The optional equipment refers to panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, and an Alpine 10-speaker audio system to receive a high-quality experience.
Safety is well rounded, with features such as the adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and an available hands-free highway driving to provide comfort and peace of mind.
Pricing and Trims
- Base – $36,995
- Laredo – $39,995
- Limited – $42,495
- Overland – $45,995
Destination charge: $1,395. Production is centered in Toluca, Mexico, while hybrid powertrains are built in Michigan. Overland and Limited arrive late 2025, with Base and Laredo following in early 2026.
The Bigger Picture
The Cherokee name has weighed heavily with Jeep since 1974, but its absence since 2023 meant Jeep was too dependent on the Compass and Grand Cherokee. The 2026 return is strategically targeting America’s hottest segment—compact hybrids led by the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Honda CR-V Hybrid.
Rather than pursuing them with yet another small SUV, Jeep doubled down on spaciousness, heritage styling, and highway fuel economy—lowering the price entry in the process. It’s a unique instance in which a comeback car doesn’t merely fit back in, it raises the bar.
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