Key highlights
- Jeep teases the sixth-generation 2026 Jeep Cherokee, set to debut in late 2025 with hybrid powertrains.
- The SUV will be built on the STLA Large platform, offering multiple electrified options.
- The design features a boxier silhouette, slim LED lighting, and heritage-inspired styling cues.
Jeep has officially teased the 2026 Cherokee, marking the return of its iconic midsize SUV after a two-year hiatus. The teaser campaign, launched across social media and YouTube, highlights the model’s evolution since 1974 and hints at a bold new direction for the nameplate.
The upcoming Cherokee will be a ground-up redesign, built on Stellantis’ STLA Large platform. This architecture supports hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and potentially full-electric powertrains, aligning with Jeep’s broader electrification strategy.
Design: Rugged meets Refined
The teaser images reveal a boxier, more upright stance, with styling cues borrowed from the Grand Cherokee and upcoming Recon EV. Key elements include:
- Slim LED headlights with U-shaped DRLs
- A reimagined seven-slot grille
- Wraparound tail lamps extending into the quarter panels
- Trapezoidal wheel arches and a roof rack-ready profile
The Limited trim, shown in the teaser, features bi-color alloy wheels and Goodyear Assurance all-season tyres, suggesting a focus on both style and utility.
Powertrain: Hybrid first, EV later?
Jeep has confirmed that the new Cherokee will offer a hybrid propulsion system, likely based on a 1.6L turbocharged inline-four paired with a dedicated hybrid transmission.
While a plug-in hybrid (4xe) variant is expected, a fully electric version remains unconfirmed. However, the STLA Large platform is capable of supporting EVs with up to 300 miles of range, as seen in the Wagoneer S.
Launch timeline and market positioning
The 2026 Cherokee will slot between the Compass and Grand Cherokee, targeting the heart of the midsize SUV segment. Jeep is expected to offer three trims at launch:
- Sport (entry-level)
- Latitude/North (mid-range)
- Limited (top-spec)
Production will take place in Toluca, Mexico, alongside the Compass and Wagoneer S. The official debut is slated for late 2025, possibly at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
Also read: Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Hybrid unveiled globally