Jeep Cherokee

Name: 2026 Jeep Cherokee
Brand: Jeep

EPA MPG: 37 mpg

First Take

After a three-year hiatus, the Cherokee is back, this time as Jeep’s first non-plug-in hybrid model. With considerable gains in its overall length, wheelbase, and width, it’s now large enough to be considered a midsized SUV. If you love Jeep’s boxy, outdoorsy aesthetic but long to go deeper into the wilderness, the new Cherokee may be the answer. Jeep claims its new model gets an impressive 37 mpg combined and can go over 500 miles on a single fill-up, plus it comes with standard all-wheel drive.

Road Test

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This Car

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Jeep Cherokee

vs. Similar Cars

Chevrolet Blazer

Ford Bronco

Honda Passport

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Safety Features

Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) w/Pedestrian

Standard

AEB Highway

Standard

Blind Spot Warning (BSW)

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Warning (RCTW)

Standard

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Safety Features

Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) w/Pedestrian

Standard

AEB Highway

Standard

Blind Spot Warning (BSW)

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Warning (RCTW)

Standard

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction

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Driving Experience

Comfort

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Jeep vs. Other New Car Brands

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Safety Features

Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) w/Pedestrian

Standard

AEB Highway

Standard

Blind Spot Warning (BSW)

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Warning (RCTW)

Standard

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Midsized SUVs Ratings

CR Take

2026 Jeep Cherokee

$35,000 - $44,000

EPA MPG 37 mpg

Road test

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2025 Chevrolet Blazer

$35,600 - $45,900

CR MPG

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2025 Ford Bronco

$38,995 - $79,995

CR MPG

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In Test

2026 Honda Passport

$44,750 - $53,650

EPA MPG 21 mpg

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2025 Honda Passport

$42,400 - $48,470

CR MPG

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2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee

$37,035 - $58,560

CR MPG

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2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee Plug-in Hybrid

$60,490 - $74,670

25 miles

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2025 Jeep Wrangler

$32,095 - $99,995

CR MPG

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2025 Mazda CX-70

$40,445 - $57,450

CR MPG

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2025 Mazda CX-70 Plug-in Hybrid

$54,400 - $57,450

26 miles

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In Test

2025 Nissan Murano

$40,470 - $49,600

EPA MPG 23 mpg

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CR Take

2026 Subaru Outback

$29,010 - $42,910

EPA MPG NA

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2025 Subaru Outback

$29,995 - $44,730

CR MPG

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In Test

2025 Toyota 4Runner

$41,270 - $67,400

EPA MPG 21 mpg

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2025 Toyota Crown Signia

$44,090 - $48,490

CR MPG

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2025 Toyota Land Cruiser

$56,700 - $61,470

CR MPG

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2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

$37,190 - $52,195

CR MPG

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Features & Specs

4-door SUV

2 front, 3 rear

AWD

1.6-liter 4 hybrid (210 hp)

Basic 3 years/36,000 miles
Drivetrain 5 years/60,000 miles
Corrosion 5 years/unlimited miles
Roadside Aid 5 years/60,000 miles
Maintenance 2 years/unlimited miles

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Model History

2026-Present

Current Generation

The 2026 Cherokee is Jeep's first non-plug-in hybrid vehicle, offering an impressive manufacturer-estimated 37 mpg in combined fuel economy and the ability to go over 500 miles on one tank of fuel. A clever rear-axle disconnect in its standard four-wheel-drive system, which only powers the rear wheels if needed, helps the Cherokee stay frugal with its fuel consumption. A 210-horsepower, 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid drivetrain with an electronic continuously variable transmission is standard on all models. Design-wise, it's a return to boxy form for the two-row SUV, which grows in all directions to feature 30 percent more cargo space than the previous generation. Jeep calls it a midsized rather than a compact SUV. Inside is a large 12.3-inch infotainment screen and 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, along with an infotainment system capable of downloading over-the-air updates.

2014-2025

2014 Redesign Year

This small SUV could be a contender, but the Dart-based Cherokee is underdeveloped and unrefined. If you have your heart set on one, get the 3.2-liter V6 in Limited trim. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder is slow and gets lousy fuel economy for the class at just 22 mpg overall. The nine-speed automatic is not all that responsive or refined. Handling is competent, but short on agility and the ride is jittery. In Cherokee's favor, it's a quiet SUV with a comfortable backseat and a state-of-the-art infotainment system. Limited trims can be equipped with many high-end features. The Trailhawk is very capable off-road, and the V6 can tow an impressive 4,500 pounds. For 2018, the Latitude becomes the base trim -- the Sport goes away -- and a Latitude Plus trim is added. Safety features such as blind spot warning, cross path detection and ParkSense rear backup warning become part of the available trim packages rather than being available only as part of add-on packages. A freshened 2019 Jeep Cherokee added a new 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine and updated front-end styling. Updates for 2021 include standard forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, blind spot warning, and rear cross traffic warning. 2023 is the final year for the Cherokee.

1987-2001

1987 Redesign Year

The Cherokee was introduced in 1984 and changed little since. It drove like a truck-a harsh-riding, noisy vehicle with reasonable cargo room, but narrow seats that could comfortably accommodate only slender people. Handling was fine in normal driving. Look for a model equipped with Selec-Trac, a four-wheel-drive system you can use even on dry pavement. The 1997 model remained a trucklike vehicle with a choppy ride and noisy interior. By modern standards, cargo space is only so-so.