The Jeep Grand Cherokee burst onto the scene almost 35 years in the past and completed 2025 because the model’s best-selling automobile. That’s hardly stunning because it affords a compelling mixture of consolation, house, and functionality.
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That continues to carry true for the 2026 mannequin yr, however Jeep has modified some key components. Most notably, the three.6-liter Pentastar V6 has been changed by an all-new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in most trims. Nevertheless, the corporate didn’t cease there as they gave the mid-size SUV a minor facelift and a few new expertise.
QUICK FACTS
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A Mild Exterior Refresh
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The fifth-generation Grand Cherokee debuted in 2021 and nonetheless seems good right now. Given this, designers didn’t mess with success as exterior modifications are comparatively minor and simple to miss.
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Nevertheless, the crossover adopts a brand new seven-slot grille that echoes the one discovered on the smaller Cherokee. It’s flanked by revamped headlights and an up to date entrance bumper. The latter incorporates a brand new mid-mounted consumption in addition to bigger outer openings.
Pictures Michael Gauthier/Carscoops
The modest modifications proceed additional again with revised wheels and new trim finishes. Consumers may even discover contemporary colours referred to as Copper Shino, Fathom Blue, and Metal Blue.
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Whereas these modifications are straightforward to overlook, the 2026 Grand Cherokee adopts an all-new rear bumper that lacks exhaust minimize outs. This leads to a cleaner, however much less aggressive look.
An Inside Luxurious Manufacturers Ought to Examine
The automotive business has seemingly entered the darkish ages of inside design as far too many corporations have embraced black interiors with gloss black trim and big screens. As an alternative of conveying a way of recent luxurious, they usually come off feeling chilly and scientific.
That’s definitely not the case with our range-topping Grand Cherokee Summit, which has an inside that luxurious manufacturers ought to be aware of. The cabin is straight away inviting due to trendy Palermo leather-based seats and light-weight Absolute Oak wooden trim. They’re joined by trendy steel accents, diamond-quilted door panels, and simply the correct quantity of gloss black plastic.
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In all places you look, it’s clear somebody paid consideration and sweated the smallest particulars. Nearly each floor is leather-based or soft-touch plastic, and quite a few elements have fake stitching that elevates their look.
Pictures Michael Gauthier/Carscoops
Drivers sit behind a shiny 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, which affords quite a few show choices starting from basic gauges to a full map view. It’s joined by an all-new 12.3-inch Uconnnect 5 infotainment system, which comes normal on Laredo Altitude and above trims.
It replaces final yr’s 10.1-inch show and is accompanied by new switchgear. The system is quick, responsive, and simple to make use of. Jeep additionally offers devoted buttons and knobs for generally used options such because the local weather management system and heated, ventilated, and massaging entrance seats. Lesser variations retain their comparatively small, 8.4-inch Uconnect 5 show.
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Sticking with screens, our tester was outfitted with a ten.25-inch entrance passenger show. These have turn out to be comparatively widespread on luxurious automobiles, however they usually seem like a tacked on afterthought. That’s not the case with the Grand Cherokee’s show, which is properly built-in into the cabin.
That’s a welcome improvement, however the display doesn’t stay as much as its potential as there’s no YouTube or Netflix integration. As an alternative, you’re compelled to play movies by way of USB flash drive or an HDMI connection, prefer it’s the early 2000’s.
Customers can even join Bluetooth headphones and take heed to the radio. After all, most individuals would reasonably use their smartphone and take heed to streaming music as an alternative.
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Different features aren’t terribly spectacular both, however there are navigation and digicam view choices. The previous permits passengers to behave as co-pilots and ship locations to the principle infotainment system.
Moreover so-so options, the show is dim and extremely reflective through the day. That’s not an important mixture, however the entrance passenger show comes normal on the Summit.
Pictures Michael Gauthier/Carscoops
Fortunately, the 19-speaker McIntosh premium audio system is much better. I’m no audiophile, nevertheless it sounds superb and also you’ll instantly miss it when driving one thing else. Highlights embody 4 door-mounted woofers, a rear 10-inch subwoofer, and round dash-mounted audio system with built-in tweeters. The system additionally contains trendy steel grilles with illuminated logos.
Placing the tech options apart, the Grand Cherokee has supportive entrance seats with 12-way energy adjustment and reminiscence on either side. They continue to be snug for hours at a time and include 5 therapeutic massage settings, every providing three ranges of depth.
Second-row passengers aren’t handled like second-class residents as there’s a cushty bench with an adjustable backrest and a flip-down cup holder. Extra notably, the range-topping trim has a four-zone local weather management system in addition to heated and ventilated rear seats. Passengers may even discover two USB-C charging ports in addition to a 115V outlet.
That’s fairly spectacular and the excellent news doesn’t finish there because the second-row affords 38.2 inches (971 mm) of legroom. This 6’ 2” scribe additionally discovered loads of headroom, even with the panoramic glass roof.
Talking of house, the Grand Cherokee can maintain 37.7 cubic ft (1,068 liters) of cargo behind the rear seats. That may be expanded to 70.8 cubic ft (2,005 liters) by reducing the second row, however there’s no power-folding choice, which is a bit disappointing given the $66,585 sticker worth.
In the event you want extra room, you may all the time transfer as much as the Grand Cherokee L. It has a power-folding third-row in addition to a most cargo capability of 84.6 cubic ft (2,396 liters). Nevertheless, that trails rivals such because the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride.
A Turbocharged Coronary heart
Underneath the hood, the three.6-liter Pentastar V6 continues to be discovered within the value-focused Laredo and Laredo X trims. It produces 293 hp (218 kW / 297 PS) and 260 lb-ft (352 Nm) of torque, and drivers can count on to stand up to 19 mpg metropolis, 26 mpg freeway, and 22 mpg mixed.
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That brings us to the most important information of 2026, which is the introduction of a turbocharged 2.0-liter Hurricane four-cylinder engine. It options turbulent jet ignition combustion expertise, which “makes use of a spark plug to ignite a small quantity of gas in a cup-like pre-chamber atop every cylinder. The burning gas expands and jets into the combustion chamber, triggering a quicker and extra full burn of the air-fuel cost, which permits higher efficiency and gas effectivity.”
The engine operates on the Miller cycle and sports activities two spark plugs per cylinder. The mill additionally has port and direct injection, a variable geometry turbocharger, and electrical pumps to scale back parasitic losses. Regardless of the flamboyant options, it runs on common 87 octane.
Pictures Michael Gauthier/Carscoops
Talking of gas, the engine has an EPA score of as much as 21 mpg metropolis, 27 mpg freeway, and 23 mpg mixed. Which means it returns an additional 2 mpg metropolis, 1 mpg freeway, and 1 mpg mixed. That doesn’t sound very spectacular, however the brand new engine is 10.5% extra environment friendly within the metropolis and produces decrease emissions.
Whereas the gas financial savings are welcome, the excellent news doesn’t finish there. Fairly the alternative, because the engine produces 324 hp (242 kW / 329 PS) and 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) of torque. That’s 31 hp (23 kW / 31 PS) and 72 lb-ft (98 lb-ft) greater than the getting old Pentastar V6.
The turbocharged engine has loads of pep because it powers the Grand Cherokee with ease. Nevertheless, it nonetheless falls in need of the previous 5.7-liter Hemi V8, which churned out 357 hp (266 kW / 362 PS) and 390 lb-ft (528 Nm).
The Hurricane is fairly refined and works effectively round city as there’s minimal turbo lag. The latter turns into extra distinguished at freeway speeds, the place there’s a brief delay once you ground it to move slower transferring automobiles.
The beginning/cease system sometimes comes off somewhat tough, however that’s the character of the beast. Nevertheless, the engine is fairly civilized and well-mannered general. It could not have the smoothness of the Pentastar, however we managed to beat the EPA mixed score by averaging 24.1 mpg over the course of every week.
All issues thought-about, there’s loads to love in regards to the engine because it’s extra highly effective and fuel-efficient than the three.6-liter V6. It additionally permits the Grand Cherokee to tow as much as 6,200 lbs (2,812 kg), which is similar because the Pentastar.
Snug And Succesful
Sliding behind the wheel reveals a pleasant driving expertise, which is geared in the direction of consolation. A big a part of this may be chalked as much as the Quadra–Carry air suspension, which provides the Grand Cherokee a little bit of a floaty really feel. It permits the crossover to simply take care of street imperfections with out fuss. Regardless of this, physique roll is stored in examine and the automobile handles surprisingly flat and safe in corners.
With a flick of a swap, the automobile transitions into Sport mode. This lowers the suspension, provides heft to the steering, and makes for punchier shifts. The exhaust additionally takes on a louder and sportier be aware, which is usually a little tiring after awhile.
Each engines are related to a clean shifting eight-speed automated transmission that’s managed by a rotary dial. On our tester, it was paired with a Quadra–Trac II four-wheel drive system and an digital restricted–slip rear differential.
Like most house owners, I caught to the road, however the Grand Cherokee has professional off-road chops. The aforementioned air suspension has two off-road settings and the very best offers 10.9 inches (277 mm) of floor clearance in addition to an method angle of as much as 30.1 levels.
Getting again to the pavement, the Jeep has glorious all-around visibility in addition to a plethora of digicam views. They’re joined by properly weighted steering and a linear throttle. Whereas the automobile handles effectively, it comes off somewhat aloof and never significantly participating.
The brakes don’t really feel one of the best both as there’s a little bit of journey earlier than they have interaction. You sort of get used to it after some time, however they get the job carried out. Unsurprisingly, they’re nothing to put in writing residence about because the mannequin has 14- and 13.8-inch discs with two-piston calipers up entrance.
The inside is comparatively hushed round city, however there’s a little bit of noise coming from the A-pillar at freeway speeds. Nevertheless, it’s not unhealthy and it provides you one other excuse to crank up the McIntosh audio system.
We additionally must reward the Fingers–Free Energetic Driving Help system, which works remarkably effectively. You may learn extra about it in our mini evaluation, nevertheless it drives the Grand Cherokee in a clean, protected, and reassuring method. Whilst you nonetheless want to concentrate, it offers automated lane modifications and straight ahead operation.
Verdict
The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee transcends the same old facelift by adopting an all-new turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. This can be a welcome improvement because it brings a notable efficiency enhance and a bit extra effectivity.
Whereas the engine is new, the corporate didn’t mess with success elsewhere. The design is immediately recognizable, however incorporates a couple of minor tweaks in addition to a bigger 12.3-inch infotainment system.
Consumers may even discover a snug trip, respectable driving dynamics, and a roomy inside with extra persona than many luxurious automobiles. After all, that shouldn’t be too stunning contemplating our tester stickered for $66,585.
That’s clearly some huge cash, however the 2026 Grand Cherokee begins at $38,920 earlier than a $1,995 vacation spot price. Whereas the bottom mannequin is okay, the guts of the lineup is the $44,360 Laredo Altitude.
It options the turbocharged engine in addition to an assortment of upscale options together with heated Capri leatherette entrance seats with suede inserts. They’re joined by a heated steering wheel, dual-zone automated local weather management, a wi-fi smartphone charger, and the brand new infotainment system.
With all that being stated, there’s loads to love in regards to the newest Grand Cherokee because it mixes mainstream attraction with a stunning quantity of luxurious.
