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Jeep’s Cherokee Makes a Boxy Comeback With a Bold Change Under the Hood

After leaving a conspicuous hole in the Jeep lineup, the Cherokee is making a return.

Front view of a blue Jeep vehicle showing the grille with the Jeep logo and a modern headlight design. The grille features a black honeycomb pattern, and the headlight has a distinctive LED outline. The bumper below is black with a rugged design.Jeep
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By Gray Van Dyke

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Despite the Cherokee’s lengthy production history and placement within an incredibly competitive market segment (compact SUVs), Jeep quietly killed off the model in 2023.

But the iconic American SUV is now staging its comeback. After teasing the design of the sixth-generation Cherokee earlier this year, Jeep has just pulled the wraps off its 2026 model. 

Silver Jeep Cherokee SUV parked on a sandy area near a small body of water, with greenery and rocky terrain in the background. The vehicle has black trim around the wheel arches and lower body, modern alloy wheels, and a distinctive front grille. The reflection of the SUV is visible in the water.
Jeep’s Cherokee returns for 2026 with retro styling and hybrid power under the hood.
Jeep

In some ways, it represents a return to its roots. However, the Cherokee also comes with a surprising twist under the hood in its hybrid powertrain.

Boxier and bigger

The 2026 Jeep Cherokee sports an all-new design that makes for a clean break from its predecessor.

At the same time, however, it recalls the boxiness of legendary off-road models like the XJ — an important reference in the nameplate’s 50-year heritage. 

Interior of a Jeep vehicle featuring a black leather-wrapped steering wheel with control buttons, a digital instrument cluster, and a large touchscreen infotainment system displaying a navigation map. The cabin has light gray perforated leather seats, a center console with a rotary gear selector, cup holders, and climate control buttons below the screen. The dashboard and door panels combine light gray and black materials with contrast stitching.
The interior offers 30 percent more storage capacity thanks to space-saving measures like the rotary shifter.
Jeep

What’s more, in moving to the Stellantis STLA Large platform, the refreshed Cherokee has grown significantly compared to the previous generation. Along with measuring 6.5 inches longer between the wheels, it also spans over six inches longer from tip to tail. 

In combination with space-saving features like a new rotary gear selector, this results in 30 percent more cargo capacity than the prior Cherokee model.

Blue Jeep Cherokee SUV with black roof rails and tinted windows parked on a dirt path, surrounded by greenery and rocks.
The Cherokee might be a modern hybrid SUV, but it carries the Jeep brand’s boxy look all the same.
Jeep

Long-haul hybrid efficiency

While there’s no denying that the visual updates make for a dramatic refresh, it’s the powertrain that’s likely to give Jeep fans a shock.

That’s because it’s a hybrid system comprising a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and a pair of electric motors. Taken together, they put out 210 horsepower and 230 lb-ft of torque — that’s impressive, but it’s nothing compared to the SUV’s efficiency.

Close-up of the rear section of a blue vehicle showing the right tail light illuminated in red and an "OVERLAND" badge on the tailgate. The image is partially obscured by out-of-focus green plant stems in the foreground.
Jeep will be expanding the lineup with more trims and powertrain options, including the Overland edition.
Jeep

With an estimated combined fuel economy rating of 37 mpg, Jeep claims that the 2026 Cherokee will be good for more than 500 miles on a single tank of gas.

Even compared to the previous model, that amounts to a monumental improvement — at its best, the fifth-generation Jeep Cherokee was rated for 21 mpg city/29 mpg highway.

And it’s all the more impressive when you consider that the model retains much of its class-leading off-road geometry. Approach and departure angles come to 19.6 and 29.4 degrees, respectively, while breakover comes to 18.8 degrees.

Blue Jeep Cherokee SUV with black roof and black trim, parked on a dirt path surrounded by tall grass and greenery. The vehicle features a distinctive front grille with seven slots and modern LED headlights.
The 2026 Cherokee builds on its predecessors while taking the Jeep nameplate in a new direction.
Jeep

Pricing and availability

According to Jeep’s parent company, Stellantis, the 2026 Cherokee will begin arriving at dealers later this year.

Pricing for the base model is slated to start at $36,995, while the Laredo, Limited and Overland trims will start between $39,995 and $45,995. You can head to Jeep’s website to learn more.

About the Author: Gray is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, motorcycles and anything else with wheels. When he’s not chasing the latest industry news, he’s probably wrenching on one of many projects. For better or worse, he believes classics make perfectly practical daily drivers.

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