The 2026 Jeep Cherokee Hybrid arrives near the end of 2025, giving Jeep the SUV that’s required to bridge the gap left when this SUV was discontinued in 2023.
The Jeep Cherokee is officially returning after being discontinued in 2023, and it’s coming back with a major twist. Jeep’s revived Cherokee will be hybrid-only when it launches later in 2025, targeting a $35,000 price point to bridge the gap between the Compass and Grand Cherokee. As Jeep leans into hybrid powertrains, the off-road world is changing with the addition of the latest version of the Cherokee.
Hybrid is right
In a world in which electric vehicles are slowing down and gas-powered models are being looked at differently, hybrid powertrains are bridging the gap perfectly. This new Cherokee hybrid SUV fits back into the lineup, returning to the place it left behind only a few years ago. Offering the Cherokee as only a hybrid makes a lot of sense considering the movement toward more hybrids for better fuel efficiency and improved driving experiences among most vehicles. Having another hybrid in the lineup can only make it easier for Jeep to transition in the right direction in the future.
How does that Hybrid do?
The Jeep Cherokee return for 2026 brings with it a hybrid-only powertrain setup, which gives it up to 37 MPG and more than 500 miles of range on a single tank of fuel. This hybrid is different from the other two hybrids in Jeep’s lineup. The 4xe models of the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee are both plug-in hybrid models, while this new midsize hybrid SUV uses a traditional hybrid powertrain. The Jeep Cherokee comeback is certainly welcome; there seemed to be a large gap between the Compass and Grand Cherokee, and now that is gone.
Pivotal moment for Jeep
The new 2026 Jeep Cherokee Hybrid doesn’t follow the exact same formula as before. In the past, the Cherokee was nearly as small as the Compass, but now it’s being built on the Stellantis STLA large platform, which is used for the Wagoneer S EV. Jeep spent 2.5 years planning and working on this new Cherokee and expects it to be a pivotal moment and model for the brand. The new Cherokee might quickly become the most popular Jeep SUV offered.
Attractive Jeep styling
If you want to look at the new Cherokee vs the Grand Cherokee, there won’t be much comparison in size and power, but the styling is similar. The new Cherokee shows up with a broad seven-slot grille on the front, and a prominent belt line across the body. These are subtle tips to the Grand Cherokee, with the smaller model fitting in where it belongs. There’s a standard roof rack on this new Jeep SUV, but if you want the dual-pane sunroof, you’ll have to check one of the options boxes to get that feature on your SUV.
Compared to the old Cherokee, this new model is 1.3 inches taller, 1.5 inches wider, and five inches longer. It uses a 6.4-inch longer wheelbase, which gives it more interior space than before. There’s 34 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, which is a substantial increase compared to the previous version of the Cherokee.
How much power is offered?
This new 2026 Jeep Cherokee Hybrid brings a small hybrid engine size to the mix. The hybrid Cherokee specs show a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors to handle the job. The engine is rated at 177 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, but once the electric motors add their input, these figures reach 210 horsepower and 230 lb-ft of torque.
There isn’t a low-range option for the new Cherokee, but in normal mode it operates as a FWD vehicle with the rear axle fully disconnected. This adds to the efficiency of the SUV, making it better for on-road driving. The system can switch to a 50/50 AWD setup giving power to all four wheels and making it easy to drive on rough terrain using one of the four drive modes, which are Auto, Sport, Snow, and Sand/Mud.
Its still a Jeep
With Jeep vehicles you expect some off-road driving, and this SUV can handle the ride. The new 2026 Jeep Cheroke Hybrid has 8.0 inches of ground clearance, a 19.6 degree approach angle, a 29.4 degree departure angle, and an 18.8 degree breakover angle This new Cherokee can to up to 3,500 pounds, which should be enough for most drivers.
Will you choose this new hybrid Cherokee to be the go-anywhere driving SUV that you trust and use every day?
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