The 2026 Jeep Cherokee makes a comeback as a hybrid that achieves 37 MPG, with a starting price of $37,000.

      Stellantis

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      The Jeep Cherokee has had a lengthy, winding, and occasionally disrupted journey. Once a favorite among enthusiasts, it has oscillated between being popular and less so, making its path quite complex. After a brief hiatus, the Cherokee is set to make a comeback in 2026, joining an expanding Jeep lineup that has recently welcomed the battery-electric Wagoneer S and will soon introduce the off-road-ready Recon, alongside returning and newly developed Hemi-powered versions of various existing models. Following years of rising prices and growing exclusivity, Jeep is striving to reconnect with the general public.

      What are consumers looking for at the moment? To put it simply, hybrids.

      If you haven't noticed, rugged midsize SUVs are currently quite trendy. Don’t believe it? Check with your favorite automaker. If they haven't already incorporated one into their lineup, they're likely to do so soon. It seems nothing is untouchable anymore.

      As for the Cherokee, it played a significant role in defining this segment. And isn’t there a saying? “Absence makes the heart grow fonder”?

      You wouldn't be wrong if you found the previous generation Cherokee somewhat lackluster. It missed the distinctive squared shoulders and rough finish that characterized earlier models. Those features were still evident when Jeep rebranded it as the Liberty, but that came with a chassis that felt like it was made from a mix of powdered rust and half-hearted hopes.

      Upon its release, the new Cherokee will be available in just one configuration: an all-wheel-drive hybrid. The combination includes a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, an electric motor, and a 1.08-kWh NCM-Graphite battery. There is no plug-in option. The total power output is rated at 210 horsepower and 230 lb-ft of torque. Power is transmitted to all four wheels through a CVT and Jeep’s “Active Drive I” 4×4 system, which features a straightforward single-speed transfer case and automatic torque distribution. Expected fuel efficiency is a notable 37 mpg combined, which is quite unusual for a Jeep.

      The starting price for the 2026 Cherokee will be $36,995 (including a $1,995 destination fee)—or at least that will be the case eventually. Jeep will launch the Limited and Overland trims ($42,495 and $45,995, respectively) this fall, with base and Laredo versions ($39,995) arriving in early 2026.

      As for exciting developments? Stay tuned. A Trailhawk variant is in the works.

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