Jeep Cherokee vs Hyundai Palisade Hybrid

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid was offered in four trim levels: SEL, SEL Premium, Limited, and Calligraphy. Each trim level maintained a stylish and commanding presence, with the base SEL trim featuring 18-inch alloy wheels and a massive grille framed by LED projector headlights. The Palisade's profile was enhanced by body-color, heated side mirrors, with higher trims adding power-folding and auto-dimming features. The rear of the Palisade was equally striking, with wide-spaced letters and LED taillights. Inside, the Palisade impressed with H-Tex synthetic leatherette upholstery, power-adjustable seats, and a well-crafted interior design that emphasized organic shapes and thoughtful storage solutions.

In contrast, the 2026 Jeep Cherokee adopted a boxy shape reminiscent of the classic XJ Cherokee, though it appeared somewhat generic among other rugged crossovers. The rear-end design was more successful, combining an XJ-like profile with aerodynamic surfacing and distinctive taillights. The Cherokee's trim levels—base, Laredo, Limited, and Overland—offered similar appearances, with the Overland featuring 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Cherokee's interior was mostly plastic but featured muted finishes and a stylish concave dashboard. The Limited and Overland trims offered leatherette seats, with Jeep emphasizing environmental considerations over cost-cutting.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid defied the stereotype of sluggish hybrids with its impressive performance. It featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery, producing a combined 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, along with an advanced eight-speed automatic transmission, ensured the Palisade Hybrid was responsive and efficient. The hybrid system eliminated the need for a starter motor and auxiliary belts, relying on a capable electric motor for propulsion. The Palisade's cabin was notably quiet, thanks to noise-absorbing materials and acoustic glass, although engine noise was noticeable under hard acceleration. The steering was sharp, but the pedal feel was somewhat soft.

The 2026 Jeep Cherokee's powertrain consisted of a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine connected to a two-motor hybrid system, producing 210 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque. The standard all-wheel-drive system featured a clutch-based rear-axle disconnect for improved fuel economy but lacked the capability of Jeep's traditional 4WD systems. The Cherokee offered Selec-Terrain drive modes and impressive approach and departure angles, though its off-road capabilities were limited during testing. The hybrid system provided smooth transitions between gasoline and electric power, and the Cherokee was quiet and comfortable on the road. However, the steering had significant play, and regenerative braking was lacking.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid offered 86.7 cubic feet of total cargo capacity, trailing some competitors but surpassing others like the Ford Explorer and Mazda CX-90. Second-row legroom was slightly compromised by the battery's position, but the Palisade still provided ample space. The third row offered 32.1 inches of legroom, with the Calligraphy trim increasing it to 33.6 inches. The Palisade's cabin was comfortable, with three-zone climate control and multiple USB-C power outlets. It came standard with seating for seven, with an option for eight. The interior featured numerous storage cubbies, enhancing practicality.

The 2026 Jeep Cherokee provided comparable headroom and legroom to rivals like the Subaru Forester and Kia Sportage hybrids. However, it offered less cargo space, with 33.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 68.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Cherokee's towing capacity of 3,500 pounds was impressive, matching certain Toyota RAV4 Hybrid versions. The dashboard was uncluttered, with important analog controls, but some buttons were hard to find. The climate controls and seat heaters used touch sensors, which were tricky to use while driving.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a matching digital instrument cluster. It supported wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with a Passenger Talk intercom system. The Limited and Calligraphy trims featured a 14-speaker Bose stereo and a built-in dashcam. A 15-watt wireless charging pad was standard, though it tended to overheat devices. The Palisade introduced "Stay Mode," allowing the climate control and infotainment system to run while the gas engine was off.

The 2026 Jeep Cherokee featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, running the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless charging available on higher trims. The system was stable and upgradable via OTA updates. However, the digital instrument cluster's graphics were plain, and the native navigation system was laggy. The audio system in the Overland model offered little improvement over lower trims.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid came standard with a suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic assist, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection. The blind-view monitor was standard on the SEL Premium and higher trims. The rear doors featured a safe-exit alert indicator. During testing, the Palisade's ADAS tech performed flawlessly, but crash test ratings were not available at the time.

The 2026 Jeep Cherokee offered standard driver-assistance features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Active Driving Assist was also standard, with traffic-sign recognition available on the Overland model. A surround-view camera system was optional. Crash test ratings were not available at the time of writing.