Jeep Cherokee Makes a Long-Awaited Return – in Hybrid Form

After a nearly three-year absence, the Jeep Cherokee is making its return for the 2026 model-year. Benefiting from a ground-up makeover, the midsize SUV features a new design, a roomier interior and a wide range of new features. It also debuts with a first-ever hybrid drivetrain expected to yield not only 37 mpg but plenty of power, whether on highway, trail or pulling a trailer. Heaadlight.News has the details.

From virtually the moment it ended production, Jeep has regretted leaving a big gap in its line-up where the old Cherokee SUV fit in. But coming up with a suitable replacement has taken longer than expected, with an all-new model only set to reach showrooms later this year.

That said, Jeep officials are confident buyers will find the sixth-generation Cherokee worth the wait. “We took the time to step back and analyze the North American midsize SUV market to understand one thing: what do customers want from a next-generation Jeep Cherokee?” Jeep CEO Bob Broderdorf said during a sneak peek backgrounder opened to a handful of media outlets, Headlight.News included.

The 2026 Jeep Cherokee hews close to the basic formula of the prior SUV, a midsize package offering plenty of on and off-road capabilities. But, at least from first appearances, the new SUV gets the sort of update it sorely needed. The package is larger, roomier, and more modern in appearance – without adopting the sort of squishy shape so many competitors have gone for. There are plenty of new, high-tech features, including as many as 140 advanced safety systems. Cherokee also manages to deliver improve power at the same time it gets a welcome boost in fuel economy thanks to a first-time hybrid drivetrain.

What’s new

Ask Broderdorf and he’ll acknowledge Jeep has made plenty of “mistakes” over the last few years, dropping the fifth-generation Cherokee without a replacement being one of the most egregious. If there’s anything positive to come out of that misstep it’s the fact that the off-road brand was able to turn to the flexible new STLA Large “architecture” developed by its parent, Stellantis. Flexible not only in its dimensions but its ability to use a variety of different powertrains. At launch, Cherokee will debut with a new hybrid capable of delivering up to 500 miles of range before refueling.

The platform, in Jeep’s hands, grows larger than the old Cherokee in every dimension, translating into a much roomier cabin and a cargo compartment yielding up to 30% more space than the old Cherokee.

Initially, there will be four trims: a base Cherokee, Laredo, Limited and Overland. All are designed to deliver improved on-road handling and performance and will feature reasonable levels of off-road capabilities. But there’ll be “a Trail-Rated version coming in the near future,” Broderdorf added.

First-ever hybrid

Jeep traditionally wasn’t a brand you’d turn to if fuel economy was a priority – though it did improve things a bit with the launch of its 4xe plug-in models. The Cherokee takes things to the next level with a first-time conventional hybrid expected to yield an estimated 42 mpg city, 33 highway and 37 combined once the EPA gives its official imprimatur.

The package pairs a transverse-mounted 1.6-liter inline-four gas engine with two electric motors drawing power from a 1.0-liter lithium-ion battery. The hybrid delivers a combined 210 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque. That’s enough muscle, Jeep claims, to tow up to 3,500 pounds.

“This will be the only propulsion system in this vehicle when we launch it,” Micky Bly, the head of global powertrain development for Stellantis, said during a media background briefing.

But, as noted, the STLA Large architecture offers substantial flexibility when it comes to powertrains and while Bly wasn’t ready to discuss future plans he pointedly did not deny that other options are in the works. An all-gas package is considered likely. We might also see Cherokee gets its own 4xe option – or even a range extender alternative. That approach derives torque for the wheels solely from electric motors. An internal combustion engine solely serves to generate energy to keep a midsize battery pack charged.

More Jeep News

• Jeep Teases the Next-Generation Cherokee
• Check Out 7 New Jeep Concepts from the Annual Moab Safari
• Jeep Compass Will Offer Hybrid, PHEV and EV Options

Design

Don’t expect a radical shift in design direction. The 2026 Jeep Cherokee will seem familiar to long-time fans; indeed, to anyone familiar with the brand. The look is bold and upright, with classic cues, starting with the trademark seven-slat grille, ”blended” with “more modern shapes,” said design lead Vince Gallante.

“I would never say this is a retro design but we paid attention to the old XJ Cherokee,” built between 1984 and 2001, he explained.

The 2026 Jeep Cherokee has been stretched 4.7 inches compared to the old SUV, and has grown an inch wider and two inches taller — with its wheelbase lengthened 6.4 inches. Most of that added space will be found in the passenger compartment, among other things providing much-needed new legroom for rear passengers. Cargo space is now 33.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and 68 cf with the back row folded down.

Lots of new tech

The cabin is highlighted by new technology, starting with its 12.3-inch high-resolution infotainment display, along with a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster. The infotainment system is powered by the latest Uconnect 5 operating system and adds such niceties as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While they’re standard, the Amazon Alexa voice assistant is an option. All Cherokees will be equipped to take smartphone-style over-the-air, or OTA, updates to keep onboard software both fresh and glitch-free. An onboard WiFi hotspot also will be available.

Among other high-tech features, Cherokee gets a a 360-degree surround-view monitor and a front tire-to-curb view system which should be useful both on-road while parking, as well as when you’re negotiating a tricky trail.

Jeep claims there are “more than” 140 different driver assistance systems onboard the new Cherokee. A number of these, including forward collision warning with emergency auto braking, come standard. Options – depending upon your choice of trim, include Active Drive Assist. It delivers many of the same capabilities as GM’s semi-autonomous Super Cruise, as well as the Ford BlueCruise.

Off-road-ready

Even before the eventual Trail-Ready trims roll out, Jeep officials made it clear the 2026 Cherokee won’t be a soft-roader.

There is, for one thing, , the Selec-Terrain system, meanwhile, lets a driver set up various vehicle functions to optimize grip and handling in conditions like snow, sand or mud. And the Active Drive system, among other things, can disconnect the rear axle when torque demands are light to help improve fuel economy.

All launch versions of Cherokee will have eight inches of ground clearance with what Jeep claims are best-in-class approach and departure angles of 19.6 and 29.4 degrees, respectively. It’s breakover angle is 18.8 degrees.

Pricing and Availability

Those who’ve been anxiously waiting for the arrival of a new Jeep Cherokee will, unfortunately, have to wait a little bit longer. According to brand chief Broderdorf it won’t reach U.S. showrooms by “late 2025.”

Set to be built at the big Stellantis assembly plant in Toluca, Mexico, Cherokee will be sold only in North America – at least for now. Such things can change over time.

Pricing for the 2026 Jeep Cherokee will start at $36,995. The Laredo package jumps to $39,995, Limited at $42,495 and Overland completing the initial trim quartet at $45,995. Add $1,995 in delivery fees to all packages.