2026 Cherokee (KM) Spied - Nobody cares because of the 1.6L powertrain

[cygnus]

2026 Jeep Cherokee spied for first time

DOA vehicle. This is the one vehicle where putting in the 2L GME T-4 makes sense. The GSE T-4 is too underpowered for US Jeep. Go let the Europeans buy 1.3L vehicles.

 

[redriderbob]

2026 Jeep Cherokee spied for first time

DOA vehicle. This is the one vehicle where putting in the 2L GME T-4 makes sense. The GSE T-4 is too underpowered for US Jeep. Go let the Europeans buy 1.3L vehicles.

Its not a 1.3-liter, its a 1.6-liter turbo with a new 3-speed hybrid transmission...

Jeep® Cherokee Will Return In 2026, With Hybrid Power

The Jeep® Cherokee is officially making its comeback next year, equipped with a hybrid powertrain to align with Jeep’s vision of electrified mobility. Antonio Filosa, Jeep® CEO, and Stellantis’ North American COO confirmed the news during the 2024 LA Auto Show, generating excitement among fans...

moparinsiders.com

 

[cygnus]

Dodge/Jeep/Ram buyers are not the group to skimp on powertrain with. They want more displacement and cylinders, not less.

 

[scatpack_69]

The 1.4 turbo in the Dart was an exceptional unit. Turbos do wonders, as can be seen with the 2.0 in Wrangler and the Hurricane, both of which punch far above their weight classes in power output.

 

[cygnus]

And yet the 1.6L Dart and 2L Wrangler and Cherokee were sales flops.

 

[patfromigh]

The Ram pickup was knocked out of the number 3 sales spot by the Toyota RAV4. The RAV4 is in the same sales segment as both the discontinued and upcoming generations of the Jeep Cherokee. The next closest competitor to the RAV4 is the Honda CRV and its sales are also impressive. As I've said before the sales strength of the Honda and Toyota offerings in this segment is heavily influenced by offering hybrid options.

The success of the jeep hybrids with the 1.6 four cylinder will be determined by how much the engineers in Auburn Hills strengthen the French design into something which can tackle American highways.

 

[cygnus]

It’s sad how a once heralded US ICE powertrain group was driven into the ground.

Nobody is cross shopping a four banger Toyota or Honda with a 3.6L V6 Grand Cherokee, Gladiator, or Wrangler.

And yet the Grand Cherokee will lose its 3.6L V6 next year. Fortunately, I think the Wrangler and Gladiator are safe.

 

[scatpack_69]

And yet the 1.6L Dart and 2L Wrangler and Cherokee were sales flops.

Dart never had a 1.6.

Quantify “sales flops”. Plenty of 2.0 Wranglers running around and still available. Cherokee was end of life anyways when 2.0 debuted for ‘19

In short, I call BS

 

[cygnus]

Bet anyone here a dollar this thing will absolutely flop. It will be worse than what KL sold, any year, after its 2013 launch.

 

[scatpack_69]

So we make a bold statement that is wrong and go in another post bragging about “being right about everything the last decade” while absolutely failing to back up statement here…

Classic

 

[cygnus]

Check my post history. I've been religious about keeping the V6 and V8 in products, no matter the cost via CO2 credits. I was right.

And guess what - CO2 costs don't exist the next four years. And there are ways to keep the V6 and V8 in products via series hybrids, powering a generator, if you want to hedge your bet.

 

[Mopar426]

If its a 1.6L on its own it'll be a disaster but if its tied to an electric motor it'll be fine. I've driven a RAV-4 hybrid, you floor it and get the anemic scream of a 4cyl but you get the instant acceleration from the electric motor - and it was quicker than I thought it would be

 

[UN4GTBL]

If its a 1.6L on its own it'll be a disaster but if its tied to an electric motor it'll be fine. I've driven a RAV-4 hybrid, you floor it and get the anemic scream of a 4cyl but you get the instant acceleration from the electric motor - and it was quicker than I thought it would be

It will be ok potentially with the electric assist.

My wife likes the instant torque of her Prius vs having to wait 2 business days for the 9-speed in the Cherokee to downshift to accelerate.

Having said that, the Prius quickly runs out of steam, especially going up hill and you just hear the little 4-banger screaming for it's life. Once the Cherokee downshifts to the correct gear it is great and doesn't sound like you're asking too much of it and will happily pass the Prius, especially going up hills.

A test drive will be needed to determine what it will be like.

 

[Mopar426]

It will be ok potentially with the electric assist.

My wife likes the instant torque of her Prius vs having to wait 2 business days for the 9-speed in the Cherokee to downshift to accelerate.

Having said that, the Prius quickly runs out of steam, especially going up hill and you just hear the little 4-banger screaming for it's life. Once the Cherokee downshifts to the correct gear it is great and doesn't sound like you're asking too much of it and will happily pass the Prius, especially going up hills.

A test drive will be needed to determine what it will be like.

A 1.6 on its own would be like that short lived 500L that had the anemic small turbo 1.4L (Abarth versions had a bigger turbo). Dated an Italian girl that specially ordered one and waited months for it to show up, it could barely get out of its own way, you had to floor it just to get it to move. She traded it in after a few months because it was so under powered.

 

[scatpack_69]

Check my post history. I've been religious about keeping the V6 and V8 in products, no matter the cost via CO2 credits. I was right.

And guess what - CO2 costs don't exist the next four years. And there are ways to keep the V6 and V8 in products via series hybrids, powering a generator, if you want to hedge your bet.

Fantastic.

None of that has any relevance re: the 2.0 turbo being a sales flop.

For the record, I’m ok with sixes. The Hurricane is and can be cool. There’s a place for it 100%. And Pentastar. That place being a replacement for V8 in muscle cars isn’t it though

 

[Bili]

Its not a 1.3-liter, its a 1.6-liter turbo with a new 3-speed hybrid transmission...

Jeep® Cherokee Will Return In 2026, With Hybrid Power

The Jeep® Cherokee is officially making its comeback next year, equipped with a hybrid powertrain to align with Jeep’s vision of electrified mobility. Antonio Filosa, Jeep® CEO, and Stellantis’ North American COO confirmed the news during the 2024 LA Auto Show, generating excitement among fans...

moparinsiders.com

Is it a 3 speed or 3 clutches?

 

[Bili]

2026 Jeep Cherokee spied for first time

DOA vehicle. This is the one vehicle where putting in the 2L GME T-4 makes sense. The GSE T-4 is too underpowered for US Jeep. Go let the Europeans buy 1.3L vehicles.

It depends on competitors.

But yes, low to mildly boosted 2.0 GME running on Miller cycle would be a much better choice.

I don't like this push up with PSA sourced engines.

We ate the **** in Europe. But it's too much with US.

And IMO this product has engine problem on pointing to a wrong direction.