All Jeep makes is SUVs (with the exception of the Gladiator midsize truck). But following the 2023 model year, Jeep stopped offering the Cherokee, its entry in the popular midsize segment. After months of building anticipation for the next-generation model, Jeep finally revealed the 2026 Cherokee at an event in the New York borough of Brooklyn. Not only is it all-new, but it also marks a first in Jeep history: hybrid power.
You might be thinking, Isn’t the Wrangler 4xe a hybrid? Yes it is, but it’s a plug-in hybrid with a turbo 2.0-liter I4 and a battery pack that enables it to be driven on all-electric power for short distances. The 2026 Jeep Cherokee’s hybrid system consists of a new 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder coupled with two electric motors and a battery. Total output is 210 horsepower and 230 lb-ft. Although the new hybrid powertrain doesn’t provide a gas-free driving range like the 4xe setup, it can return an estimated 37 mpg (combined) and squeeze more than 500 miles out of a tank of gas, according to Stellantis.
If the new Cherokee looks a little boxier and more upright, that’s because it is. According to Stellantis, “The 2026 Cherokee is longer, taller, and wider than the previous Cherokee with sharp edges to recall beloved Cherokee models from yesteryear.” Unofficial translation: Jeep wanted it to look more like the beloved 1984-2001 XJ Cherokee.
The default interior color scheme is Global Black, but Arctic white is available on the Laredo, Limited, and Overland models. A new rotary gear selector frees up space for small items up front; at the back, the new Cherokee has 30 percent more cargo capacity for gear or luggage than its predecessor.
Power reaches the trail through the Jeep Active Drive I 4×4 system while Selec-Terrain works out traction management according to which mode—Auto, Sport, Snow, or Sand/Mud—is engaged. Eight inches of ground clearance, an approach angle of 19.6 degrees, a breakover angle of 18.8 degrees, and a departure angle of 29.4 degrees should get the Cherokee back on paved roads, where the rear-axle disconnect function helps maximize fuel economy.
Prices for the 2026 Jeep Cherokee start at $36,995 (which includes a $1,995 destination charge) for the base model and increase to $39,995 for the Laredo, $42,495 for the Limited, and $45,995 for the Overland. As of right now, there’s no word on a Trailhawk or similar variant, but that’s probably not far off. All 2026 Cherokee models get standard equipment that includes a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, Uconnect 5 infotainment with a 12.3-inch screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and rain-sensing wipers. Also on that list are automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist identification, Intersection Collision Assist, Blind-spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Path detection, and the Active Driving Assist system (Level 2 driver assistance system with adaptive cruise control), among other features. The Connect One connected services bundle contains 10 years of over-the-air updates, a Jeep smartphone app, and more.
Expect to see the 2026 Cherokee Limited and Overland models on dealership lots late this year; base models and Laredos will show up in early 2026. You’ll find The ClassicCars.com Journal getting some dirt on one as part of a review as soon as we can.