Fast Facts
🔋 Powertrain: Two-motor hybrid system with turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder
⚡ Output: 210horsepower total system output
⛽ Fuel Economy: An estimated 37mpg combined
🖥️ Infotainment:12.3-inch touchscreen standard
🚗 Drive Feel: A little underpowered but smooth delivery
💰 Price Range:$36,995 to $34,995 MSRP, including delivery and all-wheel drive
To the dismay of many hybrid fans, Jeep quietly axed its plug-in versions of the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee at the end of 2025. But never fret, green car lovers. For 2026, Jeep puts its very first standard hybrid powertrain into the midsize Cherokee SUV. Now you can get up to 37 miles per gallon without ever needing to plug in.
Old-School Cool
Available in base, Laredo, Limited, and Overland trims, and positioned between the Compass and Grand Cherokee, the Cherokee is a fine-looking hybrid. Taking a cue from the classic Cherokee XJ from the mid-1980s, it’s a boxy little thing with retro-cool, squared-off headlights. The wheel base has been stretched over 6 inches from the previous generation, and the rear taillights look positively delightful with their segmented rectangle design. It’s available in seven colors, including a bright blue and a vibrant red. You can even pair some of them with a contrasting black roof. Cheers to options beyond white, black, and silver!
The interior is similarly notable, with eco-friendly leather and recycled materials. It’s pretty sleek and streamlined. A 10.25-inch full-color digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen are standard, and there's an interesting ribbed texture on the dash that strikes a nice balance between rugged and fancy-pants. Heated front seats are standard on the Laredo trim and above, and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats are available as options. The lighter Arctic interior colorway gives the interior a more upscale look, but if you’re worried about keeping it clean, the standard black is just fine.
Please, Sir, I’d Like Some More
Under the hood is a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a1.03-kilowatt-hour 400-volt battery and a pair of electric motors. Together, the system pushes out 210 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque, but those ponies need to motivate nearly 4,300 pounds of SUV, and at times it feels underpowered. I mostly noticed it when trying to get up to speed on busy Southern California highways, but once you're going with the flow of traffic, the Cherokee is a peach. The electronically-controlled continuously variable automatic transmission does its thing without too much fuss, and the suspension soaks up bumps in the road well.
Jeep fitted the Cherokee with a squoval steering wheel that felt great in my hands, both in terms of size and material. The steering system itself, however, is pretty numb, and the ratio is a bit sloppy. I had to put in a lot of input to get the wheels to turn. Sport mode does firm things up, so there's a bit more resistance. Don’t get me wrong, it’s no sports SUV, but I appreciate the effort.
If you want to compare Cherokee pricing and cross-shops in seconds, start with the GreenCars Buyer’s Guide ➜
Jeep claims the Cherokee can go 500 miles on a single tank of fuel and returns 39 mpg in the city, 35 mpg on the highway, and 37 mpg combined. That puts it in line with the all-wheel drive Honda CR-V Hybrid, though slightly behind the all-wheel drive Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. During my day — a good mix of open highway, curvy roads, and city traffic — the best I saw was in the low 30s. I’d like to have the Cherokee for an entire week before I pass full judgment on its real-world economy, but it doesn’t look good after a day.
No Trailhawk Trim - For Now
Jeep is well-known for building off-road capable vehicles, but I'd proceed with caution before taking this Cherokee into the wilds of the desert or mountains. Yes, there are Snow and Sand/Mud modes and all-wheel drive, but it also has open differentials and only 8 inches of ground clearance. All-season tires are standard, and you have to pay an extra$495 for a compact spare. Jeep hasn’t confirmed an off-road specific Trailhawk trim, but I’d be very surprised if it didn’t materialize in the next year or two. That trim should have a low range, more ground clearance, and better tires.
Every Cherokee gets safety features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear park assist with rear automatic braking. Adaptive cruise control with a hands-on/eyes-up drive assist feature is also standard, which helps take some of the fatigue out of long highway drives. The rain was pouring down pretty hard during my test day, so I didn't get to sample the assist technology, but I love that lane centering is easily accessible with a button on the dash. No need to go scrolling through menus to turn this feature on and off.
The latest version of Uconnect5 does infotainment duty, but wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are here too. I’ve always loved Uconnect for its simplicity and ease of use. It’s robust but a snap to navigate. Most HVAC controls get a physical button, but if you want to turn on the heat for the seats or steering wheel, you have to use the screen. The system can also access some cool apps like the Off-Road Pages and Geocaching for fun scavenger hunts, and the Alexa in-vehicle assistant.
Charging options abound with four USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad that held my phone securely and managed to force electrons through my rugged Quad-Lock case. Cool! There is also a 12-voltoutlet in the center console and one in the cargo space.
Speaking of cargo, the extended wheelbase of this year’s Cherokee results in 30 percent more cargo space. You’ll find just over 33 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, expanding to 68.3 cubes with those seats folded. That’s less than the CR-V Hybrid, but pretty much in line with the Subaru Forester Hybrid. Four tie downs keep it all safe and secure.
Tow Your Toys
Perhaps the most stand-out feature of this new Cherokee is its 3,500-pound tow rating, which blows the competition out of the water. The CR-V can only manage 1,000 pounds, the RAV4 just 1,750 pounds, and the Forester 1,500 pounds. If you select the $995 towing package, you’ll also get blind-spot monitoring that can cover the length of the trailer.
For those towing down steep mountain roads, the Cherokee has some special help up its sleeve. A button on the dash labelled Low Gear (a misnomer to be sure, as it’s not an actual low gear) allows the battery to accept a bit more power through regeneration. In other words, lifting off the throttle causes the Cherokee to slow down just a bit and not continue to coast and build up speed. It’s very slight, but it can likely keep you from riding your brakes all day trying to get up and over the Rocky Mountains.
Starting Under $37,000
The 2026 Jeep Cherokee starts at $36,995 MSRP, including $1,995 for destination. That’s right in line with the Subaru Forester Hybrid and a few thousand less than the all-wheel drive Honda CR-V Hybrid. However, the bargain in the class is the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, coming in at less than $35,000 MSRP with all-wheel drive. You can save even more by opting for front-wheel drive.
Overall, my first impression of the 2026 Jeep Cherokee is very good. The hybrid powerplant might be a bit underpowered, but the ride is smooth and comfy, and the midsize SUV has plenty of utility. I’d like to spend a bit more time with the crossover to test real-world efficiency, and I’m looking forward to a Trailhawk trim, but for those who want an easy and stylish commute, the new Cherokee should be on your short list.
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