Jeep Cherokee

Name: 2026 Jeep Cherokee
Brand: Jeep

CR MPG:

Front 3/4, facing to the left view of 2026 Jeep Cherokee

Rear 3/4, facing to the right view of 2026 Jeep Cherokee

Road Test

Predicted Reliability Details

Predicted Owner Satisfaction Details

See All Ratings & Specs

Road Test

The Jeep Cherokee returns after a three-model-year hiatus, now packaged exclusively as a hybrid. During that period, the Cherokee grew, gaining 5 inches in overall length with a 6-inch-longer wheelbase. The increased dimensions give the Jeep a size advantage over small SUVs like the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-5, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4. Further, it’s only just a smidge smaller than true midsized SUVs like the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Honda Passport, Nissan Murano, and Subaru Outback.

New Models Predicted Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Jeep Cherokee

vs. Similar Cars

Buick Envision

Chevrolet Equinox

Dodge Hornet

Dodge Hornet Plug...

Dodge Hornet Plug-in Hybrid

Ford Escape

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Safety

CR Safety Verdict: Better

4 / 5

Meets Federal Safety Requirements.
Meets all CR Core Safety Requirements.
Doesn't meet all CR Advanced Safety Requirements.
Not tested in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Not tested in IIHS side crash test

Not tested in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Not tested in IIHS side crash test

Critical Active Safety Features

AEB-P

Standard

AEB-H

Standard

BSW

Standard

RCTW

Standard

Learn More in CR Safety Guide

Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

This car is new and detailed owner satisfaction will be available at a later date.

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Jeep vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Safety

CR Safety Verdict: Better

4 / 5

Meets Federal Safety Requirements.
Meets all CR Core Safety Requirements.
Doesn't meet all CR Advanced Safety Requirements.
Not tested in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Not tested in IIHS side crash test

Not tested in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Not tested in IIHS side crash test

Critical Active Safety Features

AEB-P

Standard

AEB-H

Standard

BSW

Standard

RCTW

Standard

Learn More in CR Safety Guide

Jeep vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Safety

CR Safety Verdict: Better

4 / 5

Meets Federal Safety Requirements.
Meets all CR Core Safety Requirements.
Doesn't meet all CR Advanced Safety Requirements.
Not tested in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Not tested in IIHS side crash test

Not tested in IIHS moderate overlap front crash test

Not tested in IIHS side crash test

Critical Active Safety Features

AEB-P

Standard

AEB-H

Standard

BSW

Standard

RCTW

Standard

Learn More in CR Safety Guide

Jeep vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

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CR's
Take

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Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

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Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

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Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

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Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

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Road test

Predicted Reliability

Predicted Owner Satisfaction

In Test

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Road test

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See All Compact SUVs Ratings

Features & Specs

4-door SUV

2 front, 3 rear

AWD

1.6-liter 4 hybrid (210 hp)

Join Consumer Reports cu. ft.

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

See All Ratings & Specs

Model History

2026-Present

Current Generation

The Cherokee returns after a brief hiatus in 2026, now packaged exclusively as a hybrid. During its time away, the Cherokee grew, gaining 5 inches in overall length with a 6-inch longer wheelbase, which notably improves rear-seat space and cargo room. The increased dimensions give the Jeep a size advantage over other small SUVs. Motivation comes from a 210-hp, 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder hybrid powertrain with an eCVT and standard all-wheel drive. Unfortunately, the driving experience is marred by laggy throttle response and a loud engine during hard acceleration. Fuel economy is disappointing, at just 31 mpg overall in our testing--several mpg behind rival hybrid compact SUVs. Our testers disliked the non-round steering wheel, and front-seat comfort is merely mediocre. The rear seat is quite spacious, but it's short on underleg support. The infotainment system feels outdated due to its small, thin onscreen fonts, and the undersized buttons are difficult to use while driving. We found the capacitive-touch climate controls unresponsive and distracting.

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.