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2026 Jeep® Cherokee (KM) Drops More Camouflage

2026 Jeep® Cherokee (KM) Drops More Camouflage​

Hybrid Power and Classic Jeep DNA Come Together in This New SUV​


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After months of heavy camouflage testing in Metro Detroit, the upcoming 2026 Jeep® Cherokee (KM) is shedding more of its disguise, giving us the clearest look yet at its design. The latest prototype sightings confirm that the next-generation Cherokee is set to deliver a hybrid-only powertrain while staying true to Jeep’s legendary four-wheel-drive (4×4) DNA. With a more traditional SUV shape, advanced technology, and a spacious interior, the Cherokee is shaping up to be an exciting new addition to the lineup.

moparinsiders.com

2026 Jeep® Cherokee (KM) Drops More Camouflage

After months of heavy camouflage testing in Metro Detroit, the upcoming 2026 Jeep® Cherokee (KM) is shedding more of its disguise, giving us the clearest look yet at its design. The latest prototype sightings confirm that the next-generation Cherokee is set to deliver a hybrid-only powertrain...
moparinsiders.com moparinsiders.com
 
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If they don't offer an ICE option without hybridization I won't be buying one. I have been waiting for the new Cherokee as a possible next vehicle. My wife and I have had 3 Jeeps since 1999, all new and are very pleased with them. We currently have a 2018 Grand Cherokee Limited and maybe we will just get another. Surely they won't alienate the majority of their market by offering hybrid only.
 
Kego said:
If they don't offer an ICE option without hybridization I won't be buying one. I have been waiting for the new Cherokee as a possible next vehicle. My wife and I have had 3 Jeeps since 1999, all new and are very pleased with them. We currently have a 2018 Grand Cherokee Limited and maybe we will just get another. Surely they won't alienate the majority of their market by offering hybrid only.
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Keep in mind this is the D-Segment Cherokee, E-Segment Grand Cherokee will continue to have ICE power
 
Enjoyed your video on Mopar Junkie on this topic. Considering buying my third Cherokee, my wife loves them, but like others on this tread, if there is no ICE powered versions, I’m out.
I’m considering waiting on the next generation Grand Cherokee that currently has the excellent V-6 I love. If that option goes away, then it’s over for us and Jeep.
In my opinion the market demands ICE for every Jeep long term.
 
I'm really curious what the people in Auburn Hills will do to beef up the 1.6 for driving conditions in North America. I also would love to know the details on the 3-speed hybrid transmission. The Maverick hybrid with AWD uses a mechanical transfer transfer of power from the hybrid transmission. They don't use an e-axle like the RAV4 hybrid uses. I suspect Jeep will use a mechanical 4WD system as well, based on what was said in the video above.

We still don't know if the IC engine in the Jeep KM Cherokee will be North-South or transversely mounted. The front axle setback on the Wagoneer S looks like a front drive based design, but these spy photos for the KM Cherokee leave me guessing. I would guess the Recon is a front drive based design based on the proportions from the photos I've seen of that.
 
bill burke said:
In my opinion the market demands ICE for every Jeep long term.
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The senior apartment complex where I live has a reserved parking spot for the Grim Reaper.🫥 Automakers generally aren't thinking of my demographic when designing new products.

I drive a Toyota crossover equipped with a hybrid drive-train and an e-axle. I bought the Toyota because Jeep failed to market for the USA, either the Compass or Renegade hybrids with the e-axle. I simply got tired of waiting.

Battery electric lovers like to say once someone drives an EV they don't want to go back. Which is probably true until someone has to charge an EV up. Since part of my work responsibilities is to charge up the EVs in our fleet, I have driven a number of different models. Personally I remain unimpressed, and the charge times require a calendar. The e-motors in my hybrid provide enough boost to keep me happy.
 
Hopefully they get the look and proportions right on this one, unlike the last one.
 
This model should be REV or Hybrid drive like the competitors in the market like Toyota and Honda.... I think Punch is not the answer.

The I will only drive an ICE car are aging out of the market or don't know there car is actually a REV.

The conventional transmission and torque converter are things of the past. All non-performance vehicles MUST have some sort of Electric assist or MOPAR will not compete in the marketplace.

It is really that simple...
 
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I'm sure the torque converter will remain for use in niche products, but ZF and Aisin are competing with each other to remove it from the mainstream consumer market.

The CDJR brands can doom themselves by either cheapening out with the Punch hybrid or by thinking the reason the Dodge Hornet flopped is because American buyers want ICE only power. Auburn Hills must be free to choose their own path to electrification, independent of the Europeans. This should include the ability to choose suppliers for drive-train electrification.
 
Styling looks fine but 1.6L MHEV is not sufficient for the prices they're going to charge - $33K+ for mid-level trim.
 
bill burke said:
Enjoyed your video on Mopar Junkie on this topic. Considering buying my third Cherokee, my wife loves them, but like others on this tread, if there is no ICE powered versions, I’m out.
I’m considering waiting on the next generation Grand Cherokee that currently has the excellent V-6 I love. If that option goes away, then it’s over for us and Jeep.
In my opinion the market demands ICE for every Jeep long term.
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Take a look at the existing 2025 Grand Cherokee or 2026 Honda Passport. Honda passport has a 3.5L V6 and will continue to have it, since it just launched.

Jeep on the other hand is removing the Pentastar from the Grand Cherokee in 2026. Jeep is going in the wrong direction for powertrain and it's going to take until 2027 or 2028 to fix.
 
Passport is sub-50K unit vehicle in sales
 
AlexB said:
CRV: 402,791 (2024) & 361,457 (2023).
RAV4: 475,193 (2024) & 434,943 (2023)
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We don't want to sell in that segment. Why would you just nearly a million cars. Now do model Y.

I must be missing some context as the Passport is in the JGC segment.
 
TripleT said:
We don't want to sell in that segment. Why would you just nearly a million cars. Now do model Y.

I must be missing some context as the Passport is in the JGC segment.
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Exactly, Cherokee and Passport are not competitors. As well, Hyundai & GM are in talks involving the segment Cherokee replacement is in.
 
AlexB said:
Exactly, Cherokee and Passport are not competitors. As well, Hyundai & GM are in talks involving the segment Cherokee replacement is in.
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I am missing context, I must have ignored someone. Who is arguing that Passport and Cherokee are in the same segment? The same people arguing that car has to have to torque converter to be viable, in the face of the entire market that is kicking Mopar's butt has shifted? or that think underpowered Pentastar lump is best engine option in JGC?

I am lost. REALITY is Mopar is wilding behind in the powertrain by lazily be dependent on now ancient powerplants.
 
TripleT said:
I am missing context, I must have ignored someone. Who is arguing that Passport and Cherokee are in the same segment? The same people arguing that car has to have to torque converter to be viable, in the face of the entire market that is kicking Mopar's butt has shifted? or that think underpowered Pentastar lump is best engine option in JGC?

I am lost. REALITY is Mopar is wilding behind in the powertrain by lazily be dependent on now ancient powerplants.
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Cygnus introduced Passport into this thread.
 
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