In what it describes as the “next chapter” in its history, Jeep officials offered an early look at the next-generation Grand Cherokee. The new model is set to arrive for the 2026 model year, officials noted.
Jeep officials said a “new chapter” begins for the Grand Cherokee with the next-generation model coming for the 2026 model year.
The company said it’s completed validation testing on the next-gen model so it feels like it can let the public take a look at what’s coming for next year. Jeep officials say they’re in the process of “perfecting the 2026 Grand Cherokee’s powertrain, user-friendly technology, advanced safety features and class-leading all-weather capability.”
Looking at the two pictures released today shows that the new version isn’t a revolutionary update. The front end retains the same slit-like headlights as well as the same iconic grille. However, the front quarter panel looks slightly different than the previous model.
On the inside, the changes are, again, more of an update than a wholesale change. It features a separate touchscreen for the passenger while the remainder of the dashboard continues to slope toward the driver.
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The update of the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee is more of an evolution, not a wholesale change, even inside.
The Grand Cherokee was the brand’s flagship model until the Wagoneer made its return. Despite being second position, it’s still a strong seller. Grand Cherokee sales jumped 31% during the first quarter of 2025.
Even more popular was the Grand Cherokee 4xe hybrid model, which saw its sales rise 42% during Q1. The 4xe version accounts for 23% of all Grand Cherokee sales, according to Jeep officials. Overall, Jeep sales were strong in Q1, especially in March which enjoyed a 36% jump from February to March.
“We’ve seen consecutive monthly market share growth since January, in addition to retail growth momentum, with the right mix of pricing and incentive actions put in place at the end of last year, leading both Jeep and Ram brands to post their best retail months of the year this March,” said Jeff Kommor, head of U.S. sales.
“Additionally, our company year-over-year retail sales were up by 13.8% when disallowing for discontinued models, and we expect to see this gap corrected as our new model offerings continue to fill out our growing U.S. brand portfolios.”
More Grand Cherokee News
- Jeep Boss Intends to “Grow the Brand Back”
- A Week With: 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Summit 4×4
- Jeep Will Offer Six Different Electrified Powertrain Options
Change needed
Jeep boss Broderdorf is under pressure to reverse Jeep’s recent sales decline.
Even though sales were up 31% during Q1, the move to update the Grand Cherokee got expedited by new Jeep head Bob Broderdorf. As the new leader of the pack, he was charged with getting the division back on track.
Grand Cherokee sales alone were down 12% for all of 2024. The refresh should help lead the charge to bring Jeep back to prominence.
“We’re attempting to grow the brand back to where it was,” Jeep boss and Stellantis Vice President Bob Broderdorf said during an event marking the first media drive of the new Wagoneer S in January.
Part of that was done with price cuts to make the vehicles more affordable. Additionally, the company continues to push the effectiveness of its 4xe hybrids. No firm date or pricing has been made available for the 2026 model; however, at the Wagoneer event, officials suggested it would come sometime in the middle of this year.
Yeah… Not so much as a “next generation” as a plain old facelift.
Well, I think we should call a shovel a shovel and just refer to this as a facelift, right? If this is what Stellantis thinks is a ‘next generation’ product investors should pretty worried…