2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Review: Expert Insights, Pricing, and Trims

Motor Trend

14-05-2025

Reviewed by Alex Leanse
The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee joins a legendary line of vehicles. Introduced in the early 1990s, the Grand Cherokee became an archetype of what an SUV should be, combining roadgoing refinement with function and off-road capability.
The current model was introduced for model year 2021 in three-row L configuration. The two-row standard Grand Cherokee covered here arrived for 2022, aimed at other midsize SUVs including the Toyota 4Runner, Honda Passport, and Subaru Outback.
What's New
We're hopeful that 2026 will bring updates to the Grand Cherokee lineup including:
Refreshed exterior design
Improved interior technology features
Available Hurricane I-6 engine to improve acceleration and efficiency
This page will be updated with more insights and photos as information becomes available.
What We Think
Solid and stylish, the current Jeep Grand Cherokee is compromised most by one key attribute—but that could change for 2026.
With its chiseled, handsome looks, the Grand Cherokee could never be mistaken for anything but an SUV. Inside the cabin, the Grand Cherokee presents more stylish design and a decent array of standard features.
However, in lower-end configurations the Grand Cherokee's interior materials feel a bit cheap, and all versions would benefit from upgraded technology—which could come for 2026.
On the road, the Grand Cherokee moves with weighty, assured manners, meaning the SUV always feels substantial; if you want quick steering and a lightweight feel, look elsewhere. Crucially, the 2026 Grand Cherokee is also ready to venture off the beaten path.
Regardless, though, its archaic V-6 engine should be replaced with something modern and better. That's at the top of our wish list of changes for the 2026 Grand Cherokee, so stay tuned to see if the company's excellent Hurricane I-6 goes under the hood.
Top-Ranked Competitors:
MotorTrend Tested
The standard engine in the 2026 Grand Cherokee will likely continue to be a 3.6-liter V-6 that produces 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. The engine is connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with RWD standard and 4WD optional or included depending on trim.
In MotorTrend testing, a Grand Cherokee AWD with this V-6 accelerated from 0–60 mph in 7.3 seconds.
Jeep no longer offers a V-8 engine in the Grand Cherokee.
Hurricane I-6 Engine? Hopefully
We're hopeful that the Grand Cherokee will get an engine upgrade for 2026. The likely candidate would be the Hurricane, a 3.0-liter twin-turbo I-6.
Depending on how it's tuned, the Hurricane can produce up to 510 hp, much more than the Grand Cherokee's old 5.7-liter V-8 had. What's more, the engine is refined and efficient, as well.
The Hurricane would likely be optional in the 2026 Grand Cherokee, with the 3.6-liter V-6 remaining standard. Hopefully, the Hurricane fits in the Grand Cherokee's engine bay, because it's an excellent engine.
MPGs and Range
Expect fuel economy to measure at approximately 19/26 mpg city/highway. Maximum driving range on a tank of gas is over 500 miles.
Jeep also offers a plug-in hybrid two-row SUV called the Grand Cherokee 4xe.
Safety Features
Expect the 2026 Grand Cherokee to come well-equipped with driver-assist and active safety features. Likely to be included among these are:
Front and rear automatic emergency braking
Rear cross-traffic alert
Lane-keep assist
Blind-spot monitoring
Adaptive cruise control
Cargo Space and Interior Room
Interior space in the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee is comfortable, but others offer more room for people and their stuff.
Technology
Infotainment
Screen size could increase in the 2026 Grand Cherokee. Instead of the 10.1-inch upgrade touchscreen it has now, the Jeep could get the 12.3-inch unit from the Wagoneer S. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will remain included.
Expect to see a 10.3-inch driver display as standard, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen ahead of the front passenger offered as an option. Both rows of seats will have USB ports, and a wireless charging pad will be added on higher trims.
Sound System
Depending on configuration, an audio system with six, 10, or 20 speakers is equipped.
Available Upgrades
Additionally, a head-up display and night-vision camera will be available.
The Three-Row Grand Cherokee
For additional passenger and cargo space, Jeep builds the Grand Cherokee L. As the letter in its name implies, the Grand Cherokee L has a longer wheelbase that accommodates a third row to seat up to seven passengers.
Otherwise, the Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L provide essentially identical features, hardware, and driving manners. See more about the Jeep Grand Cherokee L here.
All-Electric Grand Cherokee?
For the closest thing to a Grand Cherokee EV, get the 4xe powertrain. This plug-in hybrid system gives the Grand Cherokee 4xe up to 25 miles of all-electric driving range. Read more about the 2026 Grand Cherokee 4xe here.
If a true EV is what you want, consider the Jeep Wagoneer S. The sub-brand expanded The SUV is sized and shaped similarly to the Grand Cherokee but has an all-electric powertrain.
The Wagoneer S is built using very different hardware than the Grand Cherokee, though, and is intended more for luxurious high performance on pavement—it has up to 600 hp, after all—rather than all-around capability including dirt. Read all about the Jeep Wagoneer S here.