CEO Affirms New Jeep Cherokee Will Maintain Off-Road Capability

      Subscribe to The Drive’s daily newsletter

      Stay updated with the latest automobile news, reviews, and features.

      After a multi-year break, the Jeep Cherokee is officially making its return! The 2026 model will be a midsize vehicle similar to its predecessor, but it will debut in a significantly different Jeep landscape that faces a tough and unpredictable market. Over at Stellantis, they reportedly refer to that as “Tuesday.”

      The automotive market has transformed notably since the last Cherokee was available. This time, it won’t face the competition alone amidst a crowd of compact SUVs and rivals that are showing their age. Toyota has introduced a new Land Cruiser and 4Runner, Subaru and Honda are both taking off-road capabilities for their midsize two-rows more seriously, and Nissan has plans to bring back the Xterra. Additionally, being an SUV brand doesn't hold the same exclusivity anymore. It's 2025. All brands are now SUV brands.

      If you visit a Jeep dealership, you'll notice many people browsing for Wranglers and Gladiators, but ultimately driving away in Grand Cherokees and Compasses. While Stellantis may not have spent recent years pricing itself out of many mainstream markets, it has had to cut some highly lucrative, long-established models. The reasonably priced, midsize Cherokee will provide Jeep dealers with a third option for consumers whose budgets compel them to be more practical than their desires might suggest.

      However, just because Jeep requires higher sales volumes doesn’t imply that its popular models need to be uninspiring.

      Jeep CEO Bob Broderdorf was keen to assure us that, despite the notable challenges, the new Cherokee will embrace the brand's 4x4 heritage. When questioned about future plans, Broderdorf confirmed that a Trailhawk version will eventually become available, and even the most basic Cherokee models will possess the essential mechanical features necessary for off-road driving.

      “It’s a Jeep,” Broderdorf stated emphatically.

      Although the Cherokee will utilize the same new chassis as the company’s other midsize vehicles and SUVs, it will not serve as a key model for the brand’s electrification efforts, nor should we anticipate the inclusion of any longitudinal powertrains in the midsize Cherokee. The four-cylinder hybrid features an east-west configuration with a traditional mechanical transaxle and a prop shaft leading to the rear. In other words, no, it won't have a Hemi, nor should you expect one.

      The only question that Broderdorf couldn't address is “When?”

      Have a tip? Share it with us at [email protected].