Large on consolation and effectivity, gentle on Jeep character.
Assessment
It could appear to be some time since we final reviewed a Jeep Cherokee, and that’s as a result of it has been. Jeep’s once-popular compact/midsize crossover had grown dated, and manufacturing quantity on the Belvidere Assemble facility in Illinois wasn’t adequate to simply operation of the plant, so the choice was made to halt Cherokee manufacturing solely.
Cherokee Gross sales
In in 5th-generation guise for the 2014 mannequin 12 months, the Cherokee had its time as a quantity vendor, filling the essential area between the subcompact Compass and premium-price midsize Grand Cherokee.
However because the Cherokee aged, gross sales really feel, and the smallish midsize crossover was, as famous above, discontinued, leaving Jeep showrooms brief an entry in a crucial market section.
Redesign
That each one adjustments for 2026, as Jeep rolls out an all-new 6th-generation Cherokee. The brand new Jeep boasts extra cabin area, extra crowd-pleasing tech, and an completely hybrid powertrain. On paper, the brand new Cherokee is a greater car than the one it replaces, however, is it a greater Jeep?
In comparison with the 2024 Cherokee and the 2026 Compass, the brand new Cherokee is 5 and 15 inches longer general respectively, and rides on a wheelbase that’s 6 and 9 inches longer. The brand new Jeep is simply marginally wider than the opposite two autos, nevertheless.
Rear-seat passengers are the first beneficiaries of the added mass, having fun with considerably better head, leg, and shoulder room than that discovered within the previous Cherokee.
Costs and Trim Ranges
For 2026, the Cherokee is obtainable in 5 trim ranges:
- Base ($36,995)
- Laredo ($39,995)
- Restricted ($41,995)
- Restricted Altitude ($42,590)
- eighty fifth Anniversary ($42,900)
- Overland ($44,995)
Customary AWD
In comparison with t he like-sized Hyundai Santa Fe (base value: $36,650) and Kia Sorento ($33,885) seems dear, nevertheless the Jeep is obtainable solely with AWD and with a hybrid drivetrain.
Engines
The hybrid techniques is comprised of a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4 augmented by two electrical motors mated to a CVT-style automated transmission. All instructed, the system is rated at 210 horsepower.
Drive Modes
As famous above, AWD is normal, and could be managed through 4 driver-selectable drive modes: Auto, Sport, Snow, and Sand/Mud. An off-road centered Trailhawk trim degree will broaden on the Cherokee’s rugged potential, and can embrace suspension upgrades in addition to further drive mannequin choices.
Take a look at Automotive
Client Information lately spent per week behind the wheel of the all-new Cherokee. Our check car arrived in Diamond Black Crystal in Laredo trim. All instructed, the Cherokee seen right here got here to $40,590.
Room and Consolation
Jeep is a bit of obscure on the place the Cherokee is positioned within the broader market, as it’s bigger than a Honda CR-V however barely shorter general than a Hyundai Santa Fe. That stated, not like the Hyundai, the Cherokee shouldn’t be provided with a 3rd-row seat.
All that stated, our first impression is that the brand new Cherokee cabin is straightforward to entry and provides beneficiant area for 4 adults. This large editor discovered loads of area behind the wheel, and even with the driving force’s seat prolonged totally rearward, there may be loads of grownup leg area remaining within the 2nd seating row.
The darkly completed cabin of our check automotive got here off as a bit drab, and although typically tidy, the supplies high quality of our lower-midline Laredo mannequin largely trailed that of different autos of comparable value. For a really premium cabin expertise, make sure you try the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Controls and Connectivity
Cherokee’s Uconnect 5 connectivity suite employs a 12.3-inch touchscreen and contains wi-fi Apple Carplay and Android Auto. We discovered the setup straightforward sufficient to make use of, legible in brilliant gentle, and fast to answer contact inputs.
Energy and Efficiency
Underway the brand new Cherokee typically acquits itself properly, although we’d recognize a bit of extra snap from a cease. The hybrid powertrain delivers adequate energy for around-town use and on-ramp merging adventures, however lacks snap pulling away from a cease. We suspect this may frustrate aggressive drivers.
Gasoline Economic system
Making up for the dearth of energy is spectacular gasoline financial system. In routine driving we averaged simply over 43 mpg, which impresses particularly given the Cherokee’s dimension and normal AWD.
Journey and Dealing with
Journey high quality is great, nevertheless, and cabin quietness noteworthy. If one your chief goals is shopping for a brand new car is one-road long-trim household consolation, the Cherokee will possible serve you properly.
Worth
Whereas we’re undecided the Cherokee—at the least in Laredo trim—feels particularly like a Jeep to us, it’s a roomy, sensible, environment friendly, right-size providing that slots properly within the model’s lineup. We’d recognize a bit of extra energy, however discover the roomy cabin and glorious on-road refinement good causes to suggest Jeep’s newest providing.
Hearken to the Automotive Stuff Podcast
2026 Jeep Cherokee Laredo Footage
(Click on beneath for enlarged pictures)
2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy: Assessment, Costs, and Specs
