Jeep is well-known for the beefy Wrangler and luxurious Grand Cherokee, but its smaller SUVs deserve some attention. The Cherokee competes in the compact class, offering a unique and more rugged take on the segment that sets it apart from the sea of mostly-alike competitors. Jeep fully redesigned the Cherokee for the 2026 model year.
2026 Jeep Cherokee Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2026 Jeep Cherokee
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2026 Jeep Cherokee
The Cherokee is all-new for 2026. It gains a new turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain that gives it 500 miles of range and a targeted 37 mpg combined. Jeep also reworked the SUV’s exterior styling, giving it a more modern look and a boxier shape, and the 2026 Cherokee has more than 140 standard and available safety and driver-assistance features. Finally, Jeep says the new SUV has more towing and a more spacious interior with better cargo space.
Design
The new Cherokee borrows from Jeep’s larger SUVs, including the Grand Cherokee. It features a boxier front-end shape with an upright grille and LED daytime running lights. The taillights feature a unique “H” pattern, but the SUV lacks shouty graphics and badging. Jeep hasn’t detailed all of the available configurations yet, but the early images show two-tone paint jobs, which will likely be available in higher trim levels.
Powertrain
Jeep equips a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor that make a combined 210 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque. An electronically-controlled continuously variable transmission and two-wheel drive are standard, but four-wheel drive is available. The new hybrid system doesn’t offer mind-blowing power, but the electric motor’s instant torque should make the SUV feel lively off the line.
Interior
We don’t have full interior details yet, but expect the new Cherokee to come standard with cloth upholstery. Higher trims will likely offer synthetic and genuine hides, along with heated and ventilated front seats. Jeep claims 30 percent more cargo space in the new Cherokee, saying it’s equal to adding a large dog crate in the rear storage area.
Technology
A 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster and 12.3-inch touchscreen are standard, running the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. Other standard tech features include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Amazon Alexa functionality, a premium stereo, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and more. The Uconnect software is packed with great features, and it runs well on larger displays. It’s also remarkably easy to use, making it less distracting while driving, thanks to clearly labeled menus and responsive operation.
Safety
The 2026 Cherokee is too new to have received crash-test results from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, but it has more advanced driver aids than its predecessor. The list includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, rain-sensing wipers, intersection turning assist, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, drowsy driver detection, and more.
Pricing and Release Date
As of this writing, the 2026 Jeep Cherokee starts at $36,995, which includes a $1,995 destination charge. More expensive trims will arrive first in late 2025, with a starting price of $42,495.
