Jeep Superfans and the 37 MPG Cherokee
The new Jeep Cherokee is quite good. However, there’s a problem with Jeep, and it isn’t about the vehicles; it’s the fans, the lovers of all things “Jeep,” who don’t love all Jeep things.
Jeep is the kind of automaker where people have very strong opinions, but mostly seem stuck in the past. Nowhere is this more evident than in online comments. Something tells me a lot of negative comments are made by guys on Facebook Marketplace looking for a used Warn winch, not a mom looking for a Kia Sorento competitor.
On the surface, this level of enthusiasm is the exact kind of thing every brand wants. Imagine if a significant portion of the “dining out” public were superfans of Taco Bell. I bet Taco Bell would love it.
With Jeep, it’s a mixed blessing, at best. The problem is, all those Jeep superfans seem unable to let the brand grow. It’s good to have fans, but not every new vehicle can be yet another version of the Wrangler. Let’s be honest, there are PLENTY of Jeep Wrangler variations. Rather than Jeep superfans, the brand needs to impress Toyota RAV4 owners more than diehard Willys enthusiasts. VW has the same type of dilemma. Both types of buyers are important.
The 2026 Jeep Cherokee is very good within its class, and that class is not “ultimate off-roaders.” Yes, there will be a Cherokee Trailhawk, but Trailhawk-type vehicles are supposed to be extreme variants. The main thing that makes a Rubicon 392 or a Cherokee Trailhawk possible is that the bulk of new Jeep buyers are getting a more mainstream version – driving an exception to the rule is cool.
Bold and Boxy
Still, the new Cherokee is cool on its own. Intentionally designed to look like an updated XJ Cherokee, the new Cherokee has a boxy look but is completely modern.
One benefit of that boxy shape is more interior space. Compared to the previous Cherokee, the new model has significantly more space. A longer wheelbase helps create 30 percent more cargo capacity than the previous generation, along with good rear legroom, even for adults. That longer wheelbase makes the Cherokee feel more stable on the road, less like a bouncy compact and more like a substantial midsize SUV. The Cherokee is a larger overall vehicle than many competitors, even though the Honda CR-V has more total cargo capacity.
Even more important than the space is that the new Cherokee uses higher-quality materials and features more pleasing textures, colors, and materials. The overall vibe is a fresh take on an everyday Jeep, intended for on-road use a little more than off-road. But that’s not a knock against the Cherokee; all those small SUVs like the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-50, and RAV4 are the exact kind of SUV buyers want. Compare the new Cherokee to those compact SUVs, and it comes out quite favorable – something different in a sea of SUV sameness.
Hybrid Power
Hybrid is the only way the new Cherokee is offered. Every 2026 Cherokee comes standard with an all-new 1.6-liter turbocharged hybrid powertrain that delivers a combined 37 MPG and an impressive total driving range of 500 miles.
Don't dismiss the new Cherokee as only a fuel-sipping hybrid. That hybrid powertrain is useful off-road, too. The instant torque of an electric motor can help in tight, low-speed, off-road situations.
The new Cherokee doesn't say "hybrid" on the back, and hybrid isn't an option; it comes that way every time, which means every version of the new 2026 Jeep Cherokee is four-wheel drive too. The Cherokee also leads its segment with a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, surpassing the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Honda CR-V Hybrid.
Ultimately, it's the Cherokee's look and hybrid powertrain that set it apart. The interior is comfortable, but Honda and Mazda have better-than-average interiors, too. If you really plan to do serious off-roading, get the Trailhawk. For everyone else, the Limited is just about right.
-Brian Moody
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