The 2026 Jeep Cherokee could also be one of many latest faces within the compact‑SUV crowd, however after a day of again‑to‑again comparability on the 2026 Midwest Automotive Media Affiliation Spring Rally in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, what stood out most wasn’t any single breakthrough function. It was how comparable the section has turn out to be. Pushed alongside the Cherokee, the most recent Mazda CX‑5, Toyota RAV4, and Volkswagen Tiguan delivered competent, predictable performances. That’s not essentially a knock; it merely displays a category the place incremental refinement defines the general expertise regardless of important year-over-year modifications to styling, engineering, and options. Nonetheless, some variations did emerge, and people nuances could matter greater than ever for buyers making an attempt to separate one strong alternative from one other. Notice that every one listed MSRPs replicate producer vacation spot charges.
2026 Compact SUV Roundup
2026 Jeep Cherokee Laredo
Professionals: Clean, quiet journey; well-integrated infotainment
Cons: Dear in Laredo guise; mediocre rear-seat consolation; some hybrid drivetrain idiosyncrasies
After a three-year hiatus, the Cherokee returns to Jeep’s product portfolio with a squarer stance and a noticeably bigger footprint. It trades the outdated mannequin’s rounded edges for one thing extra upright and purposeful. It’s longer total and in wheelbase whereas additionally being wider and heavier. The added dimension pays off inside with a roomier cabin (albeit with a barely uncomfortable rear-seat cushion) and much more usable cargo house. The redesigned sprint, anchored by a large digital show with the most recent model of Stellantis’ extremely practical Uconnect infotainment suite, feels cleaner and extra up to date than earlier than. Nothing right here screams for consideration, however the Cherokee’s quiet shift towards maturity fits it effectively.
All 2026 Cherokees have all-wheel drive, a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine paired with a battery-powered electrical motor, and a constantly variable automated transmission. Whole output is 210 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque. The drivetrain and journey are remarkably hushed, and whereas efficiency is notably smoother than gasoline/electrical variations of the Dodge Hornet and Alfa Romeo Tonale, it’s nonetheless no Toyota when it comes to total refinement. Devices and controls are typically effectively laid out, highlighted by the most recent iteration of Stellantis’ responsive and logical Uconnect infotainment system.
Our take a look at automobile was the Laredo trim, which is able to probably be the nameplate’s high vendor. For its $40,590 asking worth, we’d appreciated to have seen a bit greater than material upholstery, fog lights, and distant engine begin. For an additional $2,000, the uplevel Restricted represents a stronger worth by including nicer-looking leatherette upholstery, a heated steering wheel, energy front-passenger seat, wi-fi telephone charger, and an influence rear liftgate.
2026 Mazda CX-5 2.5 S Premium Plus
Professionals: Spry dealing with; roomy inside; vastly improved infotainment
Cons: Turbocharged engine possibility is gone; bland cabin supplies; low-for-the-class fuel-economy rankings
Mazda has additionally revamped its best-selling SUV, the CX-5, for 2026. At first look, although, you’d be hard-pressed to note the modifications. Whereas the styling updates are evolutionary, the largest information is that the 2026 is noticeably longer than the outgoing mannequin. This interprets into considerably improved rear-seat and cargo house, which we very a lot admire.
Carrying over is the usual drivetrain, which is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 6-speed automated transmission and customary all-wheel drive. The punchy turbocharged engine possibility has been discontinued whereas a hybrid model is slated to reach for the 2027 mannequin 12 months. What’s on provide now’s greater than sufficient for the bigger 2026 CX-5 to get out of its personal approach, although estimated fuel-economy rankings of 24 mpg metropolis/30 mpg freeway are subpar for the category. Dealing with response stays a powerful level with exact steering, glorious grip, and little physique lean when cornering.
Our flagship S Premium Plus take a look at pattern stickered for $41,080, and for that you simply get niceties like leather-based upholstery and a large 15.6-inch infotainment display with sooner and extra intuitive operation than the system it replaces. The 2026 Mazda CX-5 improves the place it counts with out taking away any of the advantages which have made it successful amongst compact SUV buyers.
2026 Toyota RAV4
Professionals: Slick hybrid and plug-in hybrid drivetrains; efficiency GR Sport mannequin provides fashion and efficiency pizazz
Cons: Higher trims can get very expensive; cheap-feeling inside; uncharacteristic workmanship lapses
Persevering with on our theme of redesigned compact SUVs, Toyota is trying to keep its spot because the section’s high vendor with the redesigned sixth era of its venerable RAV4. As an alternative of flowing traces such as you’ll discover on the CX-5, the 2026 RAV4 goes for a boxier, extra upright stance. Most exterior and inside dimensions of the brand new mannequin are inside the margin of error from its predecessor.
The largest information is that every one sixth-generation RAV4s use hybrid or plug-in hybrid drivetrains. The two.5-liter gasoline engine from the fifth-generation carries over, however the electrical propulsion system has been up to date to offer better energy, gasoline effectivity, and within the case of the plug-in, extra absolutely electrical driving vary. Commonplace hybrids have 226-236 mixed horsepower relying on whether or not patrons select front- or all-wheel drive. Plug-ins are AWD solely and provide as much as 324 mixed horsepower. Trim choice additionally dictates whether or not your RAV4 will help a most of level-2 family or level-3 DC quick charging. Oddly, the most costly GR Sport grade caps out on the former. Additional, none helps the Tesla Supercharger community, not even with an adapter that many different automakers are providing to their EV clients.
On the street, the 2026 RAV4 is tough to fault. The usual hybrid system in our AWD Restricted and plug-in GR Sport take a look at automobiles is about as seamless as you may get. Put the GR in its Sport driving mode, and also you’re handled to lightning-quick acceleration on high of extremely responsive dealing with. You do pay a premium for that efficiency: $51,015 for our absolutely kitted out instance. The AWD Restricted hybrid isn’t an distinctive worth both with our pattern checking in at $46,833. For these costs, we want the inside supplies appeared and felt nicer. Plus, the GR Sport we drove suffered from a regarding, albeit occasional, rattle from the sunroof space. Regardless of these issues, and the truth that the RAV4’s evolution is extra about refinement than reinvention, we’ve zero doubt Toyota will promote each one it might probably construct.
2026 Volkswagen Tiguan
Professionals: Supremely snug inside with large rear-seat room; premium cabin appointments
Cons: Forgettable on-road dynamics; inelegant infotainment system
When Volkswagen debuted the Tiguan in North America for the 2009 mannequin 12 months, it was a breath of contemporary air. Boasting upscale seems and a driving expertise that made it really feel like a GTI on stilts, it earned each little bit of reward it obtained. Over the intervening years, this SUV has grown bodily whereas shedding among the sharp street manners that earned it followers among the many press and public. The German automaker appeared to rectify this with the Third-generation Tiguan, which debuted in North America for 2025. With extra customary horsepower and different refinements, this mannequin appeared to be again on observe.
For 2026, a brand new flagship trim joins the roster. The SEL R-Line Turbo will get a revised model of different fashions’ 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. Output of 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque signify will increase of 67 and 37, respectively. Energy will get to all 4 wheels by way of VW’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive and an 8-speed automated transmission. The additional juice makes itself recognized with robust acceleration from a cease and at velocity, although we noticed a little bit of turbo lag. Dealing with response within the SEL R-Line Turbo is balanced however not notably sporty particularly when in comparison with the CX-5 and RAV4 GR Sport.
The inside is the place Tiguan actually shines…is what we’d say if it weren’t for the infuriating infotainment system. Like its rivals, it tries to include most audio, navigation, and local weather controls into a large middle touchscreen. Nevertheless, the unit in our take a look at automobile suffered from complicated operation and sluggish responses to consumer enter. It’s a disgrace as a result of in any other case the Tiguan’s cabin is excellent, decked out in premium supplies that put some far costlier automobiles to disgrace and abetted by excellent room and seat consolation. With an as-tested worth of $44,915, we’d favor the CX-5 if the driving expertise is excessive in your precedence listing. Ought to VW handle the infotainment system’s points with a software program replace, we’ll be pleased to revisit that criticism. For now, in case you’re okay with much less cargo house and energy, the model’s smaller, cheaper Taos SUV is a extra compelling possibility.
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