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All-New 2026 Jeep® Cherokee (KM) Prepares for Debut Late 2025

All-New 2026 Jeep® Cherokee (KM) Prepares for Debut Late 2025​

Jeep’s First-Ever North American Hybrid-Only SUV Breaks Cover This Year​


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Jeep® fans, the wait is almost over. The all-new 2026 Jeep Cherokee (KM) is on its way, and it’s bringing a big change with it: it’s going hybrid-only. That’s right—this will be the first North American Jeep vehicle offered exclusively with a hybrid powertrain. No gas-only or plug-in (PHEV) options—just one smart, fuel-saving setup built for adventure.

 
I think it looks REALLY good, and far better than the previous model.

As far as hybrid powertrain goes, you have to decide if the gain in MPG is worth the added cost and complexity of ownership over time. If we use the Toyota RAV4 as an example, there is only a 5 MPG difference on the highway. Stop and go in the city is where the hybrid shines. But for most users the efficiency difference isn't massive. So is all the additional wiring, battery, programming, etc. worth it long term? In the case of a well engineered Toyota, maybe. In the case of a poorly engineered Stellantis product from Europe, I doubt it.

Where I live, there is no such thing as highway driving. Rush hour never ends, so a hybrid is attractive to me for my current commute and driving needs.

Having said that, batteries, electrical and just general quality is not a strong point for Stellantis.
 
People still complaining about Hybrid. STLA expecting to be the last man standing while everyone else converts their entire fleets? I not happy about the 1.6 hopefully they sort it out. But jump on board or be left behind. All the main competitors will have there entire fleets converted.

Only 5 mpg... ONLY!!!
 
Has anybody really heard what hybrid system this Cherokee uses?

If it's the Punch transaxle run away.

Is it a 48V mild hybrid or a high voltage full hybrid?

Which or whose design will it be?
 
@patfromigh

I'm not sure about transmission. I believe it's a Punch bit it seems it's a high voltage hybrid and there is a rumour that the same or similar powertrain is considered for use on STLA Medium products in Europe.
 
People still complaining about Hybrid. STLA expecting to be the last man standing while everyone else converts their entire fleets? I not happy about the 1.6 hopefully they sort it out. But jump on board or be left behind. All the main competitors will have there entire fleets converted.

Only 5 mpg... ONLY!!!

I'll believe that when I see it. Again, there is a lot of complexity to hybrid powertrains, and a lot of issues to be dealt with to acquire all the materials needed to fully convert "the entire fleet".

And yes... ONLY 5 MPG. To put that into perspective, at 1,500 miles per month and $3/gallon which is the average current gasoline cost, the difference between 35 MPG and 40 MPG is only $16.00 per month. Is sixteen bucks a fair tradeoff for a higher upfront cost, higher future repair cost, and perhaps higher maintenance cost? Absolutely not in my opinion.
 
People continue to project their own bias into the market place. That one would say put a lazy old powertrain in it or I won't buy it, shows it. Please Please put something that is heavy, underpowered, poorly packaged, and less efficient..... is NOT a broader market position.

Lets sit it product meeting a make that pitch, yes there is no ROI and it make the product worse is nearly every aspect weight, power, balance, braking, handling, emission, efficiency, manufacturing complexing, regulatory approval ...... Sure Kevin... here is a paper box your last check will come in Mail ........ but but guys on the Mopar forum want old tech engines cuz even though hybrid tech is proven and in high demand everywhere else and decades old just because they are new adverse. Great Kevin you want us to compete with our own Used vehicles? Good luck in life.

We want affordability... Build one powerplant and build it well. I not concerned at all with it being Hybrid, in fact it would be suicide NOT to offer it as Hybrid, I am not concerned with it being exclusively a Hybrid.... I am concerned that it is PSA based.

My expectation is this is the FWD Large so the engine will run direction for best packaging.... So if there is another powertrain offered I would like to see a upgrade to the 2.0 and e-axle .....

As for putting the Hurricane 6 in it.... LOVE THE Idea... SRT Cherokee.....:D :D :D :D not happening but love it. They should drop the in JGC and Wrangler first though.
What makes me think I’m the lazy old power train biased guy you allude to, thanks for maybe thinking of your old pal here. Your right, it’s fifteen years and three Pentastar vehicles that drive that bias, but your old pal has a caveat to your statement, I’d be all over that shiny new Hurricane six if that were offered. Fifteen years of flawless, satisfying service can sway your thinking, but I’m a boy at heart who loves new toys, so let’s hope that Hurricane is coming to this attractive Cherokee, so I can start another string of experiences evoking a new bias that validated my choice.
One more thing I’m hoping on this one, a higher level Cherokee model like my current Overland with all the bells and whistles. If they put that Hurricane in the Wagoneer S that might get my lazy old butt in its seat. A new toy with more shiny.
 
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While the new Cherokee will be smaller than the 3-row Grand Cherokee L, it looks to be about the same size as the 2-row Grand Cherokee. So what's Jeep's plan here? And judging from the side profile, the Cherokee's proportions suggest a FWD-based vehicle with a transverse engine, which should shoot down any hopes for an inline 6 option. In that case I wouldn't mind seeing a larger displacement GME turbo 4 (hybrid or not), something around 2.3 to 2.5L.
 
@patfromigh

I'm not sure about transmission. I believe it's a Punch bit it seems it's a high voltage hybrid and there is a rumour that the same or similar powertrain is considered for use on STLA Medium products in Europe.
The Opel Grandland PHEV uses a high voltage eDCT. The Stellantis media announcements haven't gone into any detail on it. I don't know enough of the EU side to be 100% sure where it is sourced from.

The Cherokee is based on the STLA Large platform, we still don't have many of the technical details of this version of the platform, such as the power-train layout or whether it allows for a front to rear drive shaft.
 
The Opel Grandland PHEV uses a high voltage eDCT. The Stellantis media announcements haven't gone into any detail on it. I don't know enough of the EU side to be 100% sure where it is sourced from.

The Cherokee is based on the STLA Large platform, we still don't have many of the technical details of this version of the platform, such as the power-train layout or whether it allows for a front to rear drive shaft.

Punch and it's not a DCT, at least not a classic one with preselected gears.

From what I know it has 4 physical gears or reductor. Depending on application it has 6 or 7 operational gears.
For 48V MHEV it's 6, for PHEV it's 7.

And yes, it's Punch.
 
While the new Cherokee will be smaller than the 3-row Grand Cherokee L, it looks to be about the same size as the 2-row Grand Cherokee. So what's Jeep's plan here? And judging from the side profile, the Cherokee's proportions suggest a FWD-based vehicle with a transverse engine, which should shoot down any hopes for an inline 6 option. In that case I wouldn't mind seeing a larger displacement GME turbo 4 (hybrid or not), something around 2.3 to 2.5L.
The Jeep Wagoneer S is built on the same platform and uses the same architecture as the KM. The "S" has a 113" wheelbase and is 192.4" overall. The KM Cherokee has different front and rear styling so overall length will be different but very close.

The two row Grand Cherokee is only an inch and a half longer than the Wagoneer S on a 116" wheelbase.

The next Jeep Compass already being built in Europe has a 110" wheelbase and is 179" overall.

The size of the GME four is pretty much set in stone. I don't expect any displacement increases.
 
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