You may be asking yourself why this review of the Jeep Cherokee is spread out over a few years. Jeep officially retired the Cherokee after the 2023 model year and spent a little time at the drawing board to figure out how to make it relevant again. Here's the breakdown of Jeep Cherokee changes from 2023 to 2026.
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 Cherokee is brand new; the last model before it was in 2023.
- The new Cherokee is a hybrid-only SUV with standard all-wheel drive.
- The 2023 lineup had two trims; 2026 has double the choices, with four models to choose from.
Styling and Size of the 2026 Cherokee vs. the 2023 Cherokee
In terms of styling, Jeep switched gears for the new Cherokee. Back in 2014, its pointy front end and skinny LED "eyebrow" lights were pretty controversial, but they started a huge trend for SUVs. Now, Jeep is moving away from that look and going back to its roots with a much boxier, upright frame.
The 2026 looks a lot more like a mini Grand Cherokee these days, especially with the more rectangular headlights and taillights. This version is also bigger than it used to be--the wheelbase and overall length have stretched out significantly, and it's gained some height and width, too. Plus, because of the new size and the hybrid tech, it's a lot heavier, coming in at about 400 pounds more than the 2023 base model.
What are the 2026 Cherokee vs. 2023 Cherokee Tech and Comfort Differences?
For 2026, all Cherokees feature a 10.3-inch digital gauge cluster, which is a big upgrade over the 2023 model's small screen. Overall, the dash is more horizontally oriented today, with thin climate system vents running along the top edge, highlighted by chrome trim. The steering wheel also ditches the traditional circular shape for an octagon.
Jeep touts a 30 percent bump in cargo room, with 68 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded down. That's a significant bump over the 2023 model's 55 cubic feet. The new model also has an advantage with the rear seats in place, with 34 cubic feet versus the previous
Cherokee's 26 cubic feet.
While the front passengers gain almost an inch of extra headroom on Cherokees without the panoramic sunroof, adding in that glass panel negates the advantage, and legroom only increases by two-tenths of an inch. Shoulder room is nearly the same as before, while hip room increases by 0.6 inches. The second row also gets a bit of extra headroom, but legroom is actually down by almost two inches. Still, second-row passengers get an extra 2.5 inches of shoulder room and a smidge more hip room.
Powertrains in the 2026 Cherokee vs. the 2023 Cherokee
Back in 2023, Cherokee owners had two four-cylinder options: a basic 180-hp version or a punchier 270-hp engine in the Trailhawk, which had just recently discontinued its V-6. Fast forward to the '26 model, and things look pretty different under the hood. The Cherokee is now a hybrid, pairing a turbo 1.6-liter with two electric motors for a total of 210 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque. Jeep also swapped out the old nine-speed automatic for a CVT.
This new setup is far more efficient. Jeep is eyeing a combined 37 mpg, which blows the old ratings of 22 and 24 mpg out of the water. You can apparently drive over 500 miles before needing to fill up. That's a huge jump from the 300-something miles the old engines managed.
Every 2026 Cherokee now comes standard with all-wheel drive, moving away from the front-wheel-drive setups Jeep used to offer before they trimmed down the line. (There were two trims in '23--today, there are four.) The Cherokee now has a system that can uncouple the rear axle when it's not needed, plus additional settings for handling snow, mud, or sand.
Powertrains Options
| Hybrid powertrain with turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and two electric motors |
180-hp 4-cylinder engine available, 270-hp four-cylinder engine available on Trailhawk trim |
| CVT automatic transmission standard |
9-speed automatic transmission standard |
| All-wheel drive standard |
Front-wheel drive standard, available all-wheel drive |
Drive a Jeep Cherokee Off the Lot!
The 2026 Jeep Cherokee takes a clear step away from the 2023 model with new hybrid possibilities, while the 2023 version still holds appeal for buyers who prefer a simpler, gas-only approach. Are you ready to take a test drive? Contact Coleman Motors today!