2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Review: Is This Iconic SUV Worth Buying?

The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a full-size SUV. It comes from America. This model gets updates for 2026. It includes a new engine option. Prices start at $40,730 MSRP. The top trim can go up to $63,990. In the US, add taxes and fees. Dealers may offer deals. The Grand Cherokee competes with Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander. It also fights Chevy Tahoe. In America, buyers want power and space. The Grand Cherokee offers both. For US roads, ground clearance matters. It has up to 11.4 inches on some trims. This helps on potholes. Fuel costs are key here. It gets up to 22 mpg combined. Service is available at Jeep dealers. But parts can be pricey. This review uses 2026 info from sources. The Grand Cherokee sells well in SUVs. Jeep grew sales in 2025. Now, they add the Hurricane engine. In cities like Chicago, it looks tough. Highways like I-95 feel stable. Family trips are easy. Cargo fits lots of gear. Safety is strong. It has many assists. For US families, it seats five or seven in L model.

Quick Spec Table

Specification	Details
Engine	3.6L V6 / 2.0L Turbo I4 / 2.0L Hybrid
Power	293 hp / 324 hp / 375 hp
Torque	260 lb-ft / 332 lb-ft / 470 lb-ft
Transmission	8-speed Auto
MPG (city/highway)	19/26 (V6) / 21/27 (Turbo)
Ground Clearance	Up to 11.4 inches
Cargo Space	37.7-70.8 cu ft
Seating	5 or 7
Price (MSRP)	$40,585 – $63,990
Safety Rating	5-star NHTSA expected

Exterior Design

The 2026 Grand Cherokee looks bold and fresh. It has a mild facelift. The front has a new seven-slot grille. It is three-dimensional. Headlights are LED. They are slim. DRLs are hockey-stick shaped. Bumper has revised air intakes. This helps cooling. Fog lamps are pixel style on some. Sides are clean. Wheel arches are square. Wheels are up to 20-inch. Roof rails hold gear. Ground clearance is 8.4 inches base. Up to 11.4 inches with air suspension. Approach angle is 26.9 degrees. Departure is 34.7 degrees. This suits light trails.

Rear has LED tail lights. They are column style. Diffuser is silver. Spoiler is small. Colors include Steel Blue and Fathom Blue. New Copper Shino too. Paint resists scratches. In snowy states like Michigan, no rust issues. Design is rugged. Not too flashy. Compared to old model, front is modern. Profile is muscular. Aerodynamics cut wind noise. Low at highway speeds.

Trail hawk trim has red hooks. This looks off-road ready. Black packages available. This adds style. Overall, exterior scores high. It feels American tough. In US traffic, it stands out. The boxy shape adds presence. Users say it turns heads at gas stations. The grille has sensors for safety. This keeps it clean. Wheels fill arches well. No small look. Roofline helps airflow. This saves fuel on long drives.

The updates make it current. But keeps Jeep heritage. In tests, it looks premium. Some want more colors. The LED lights are bright. They corner well. Tow hooks are functional. This boosts utility.

Interior and Comfort

Inside, the Grand Cherokee feels upscale. Dashboard is flowing. It has slim vents. Materials are soft touch. Some wood trim on Summit. Fit is solid. No rattles. Seats are leather. Front seats ventilate. They adjust 16 ways. Memory for driver. Massage optional. In hot states like Texas, cooling helps. Rear seats recline. They split 40:20:40. Legroom is ample. Headroom fits tall people. Shoulder space okay for three.

Climate is four-zone. Auto AC. Vents in rear. Ambient lights have colors. Panoramic sunroof opens wide. But dust enters in open areas. Cargo is 37.7 cubic feet behind rear. Expands to 70.8 cubic feet. Lip is low. Spare is full size on some. Steering wheel heats. Console has wireless charge. USB ports many. Cabin is quiet. Less road noise. For long drives on I-80, no fatigue. Users say seats like first class.

Storage is plenty. Door bins deep. Glovebox cooled. Armrest slides. ISOFIX for kids. Overall, interior suits families. It beats rivals in space. In US, leather cleans easy. Ventilation works in 100F heat. Tupelo trim adds luxury. Quilted leather on Summit. This looks premium.

Front seats have side bolsters. This supports in turns. Rear has heated seats optional. Armrest with cups. Power shades cut sun. Quiet glass reduces noise. In tests, passenger volume is best in class. Cupholders are large. But tall drinks may block view. Storage bins are small. No false floor in cargo. But hooks help. Overall, comfort high. The three-row L model adds space for seven. This fits big families. The two-row is nimble. Wood trim is open pore. This feels natural. Ambient light has five colors. This sets mood at night.

Also Read 2026 Audi A5 Review: Is This Premium Sedan Worth Buying in India?

Engine and Performance

The 2026 Grand Cherokee has engine choices. Base is 3.6L V6. It makes 293 hp. Torque is 260 lb-ft. New is 2.0L Hurricane turbo four. It gives 324 hp. Torque is 332 lb-ft. This is standard on some trims. 4xe hybrid is available. It has 375 hp. Torque is 470 lb-ft. All pair with 8-speed auto. Drive is RWD or 4WD.

V6 does 0-60 in 7.4 seconds. Turbo four is faster. Hybrid in 5.3 seconds. Top speed 117 mph limited. Braking 70-0 in 163 feet. Skidpad 0.85 g. Ride is smooth. Air suspension soaks bumps. Off-road it shines. Three 4WD systems. Quadra-Drive II sends power to one wheel. Selec-Terrain has modes like Rock and Snow. Towing up to 6200 pounds. This hauls boats.

Gas needs regular. MPG is 19 city/26 highway for V6. Turbo four better at 21/27. Hybrid 25 miles EV range. Real city 18 mpg. Highway 25 mpg. Tank is 23 gallons. Range 500 miles. Users like power. No lag in turbo.

Platform is sturdy. Performance is balanced. Not pure sport. In tests, it feels capable. Water fording 24 inches. Crawl ratio 47.4:1 on Trailhawk. This beats rivals off-road.

Ride and Handling

Ride is comfy on pavement. Suspension absorbs bumps. Low speed firm on potholes. But highway planted. No sway at 100 mph. Handling agile for size. Steering precise. Light in city. Heavy in sport. Body roll low. Corners well. Brakes strong. All disc. ABS quick. Tires wide. Wet grip good. Ground clearance up to 11.4 inches. Handles bad roads in Northeast. Speed bumps okay. Light trails fine.

Users say stable. Better than Explorer in off-road. But firm jars sharp holes. Quadra-Lift air suspension adjusts height. This helps entry and aero. Selec-Speed controls descent. Suits US winters. In snow, 4WD grips. Overall, versatile. Not just truck rough.

Adaptive dampers optional. They adjust firmness. Eco mode saves gas. Sport mode tightens. In tests, grip high. Stopping short.

Features and Technology

Features are loaded. Screen is 12.3 inch touch. Uconnect 5 with nav. Wireless CarPlay. Android Auto. Cluster is digital. HUD optional. Cruise adaptive. Rain wipers auto. Lights LED. 360 camera optional. Park assist. Keyless entry. Push start. Ventilated seats. Ioniser AC.

Audio is McIntosh 19 speakers. Sound rich. Wi-Fi hotspot. Alexa integration. Passenger screen 10.3 inch. This streams video. Off-road camera. Night vision optional. ADAS Level 2. Lane keep. Collision brake. Blind spot. For highways safe. Intersection assist. Drowsy detect. My Jeep app tracks car.

In US, tech wows. But learning curve. Hands-free drive on highways. This eases long trips.

Safety

5-star NHTSA expected. IIHS Good in tests. 6 airbags. ABS EBD. ESC. Traction. Hill hold. TPMS. ISOFIX. 360 view. ADAS evasion. High beam assist. Forward warn. Blind spot. Rear cross traffic. Lane depart. Traffic sign read. Night vision for peds.

In US, superior prevention. Users feel secure. AEB for peds. Swerve assist. Park plus steers auto.

Pricing and Trims in US

Trims: Laredo $40,585. Limited $45,985. Summit $62,585. Average $50,000. Lease from $600/month. Finance low APR. Warranty 3 years/36,000 miles. Maintenance free for some. Parts costly.

Rivals Explorer $40,000. Highlander $40,000.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• New turbo engine power.
• Off-road capability.
• Premium interior.
• Rich tech.
• Good safety.
• Spacious cargo.

Cons:

• Average fuel economy.
• High price on top trims.
• Firm ride low speed.
• No hybrid base.
• Luxury cost.

FAQs

Conclusion

The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a versatile SUV. It mixes power and luxury. For US buyers, off-road stands out. Features are modern. Safety good. But fuel average. Price high on Summit. In 2026, new turbo adds value. Against Explorer, pick for Jeep heritage. Test drive at dealer. Worth if need capability. Sales strong for reason.