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​

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.

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[Josh]

If it’s hybrid only I’m not biting yet. Perhaps there is a Pentastar V-6 lurking. Ten years in two wonderful current generation Cherokees has me sold on this Jeep, but I’m just not there on a hybrid. I’ll test one for sure but is there any chance us old school gas engine guys get something, you know, old school?

No man, you're way off. Under FCA right before Stellantis, there was the WGE/Tigershark 2.0/2.4, the Pentastar 3.2/3.6, and the Hemi 5.7/6.2/6.4. Then came the GSE 1.0T I3 and 1.3T I4 to replace the WGE/Tigershark 2.0/2.4 I4, the GME Tornado 2.0T I4 to replace the Pentastar 3.2/3.6 V6, and finally the GME Hurricane 3.0TT I6 S.O./H.O. to replace the Hemi 5.7/6.4 V8. The 6.2 would have been replaced by a Hurricane 3.0TT I6 H.O. hybrid. The reason I have to remind you of all of this is because you ask the powers that be floating in the heavens for something as ridiculous as a 2026 Jeep Cherokee with a Pentastar V6. Read what I posted above man, the Pentastar is on its way out. And this resurgence of Hemis will only last as long as people vote conservative. The question you should be asking the powers that be is; why didn't Stellantis use the FCA developed 1.3T I4 GSE Firefly, ZF 9 speed automatic transmission, with a low range 4WD system, and a full plug in hybrid powertrain (which the ZF 9 speed supports)? Going forward there will be no FWD/AWD vehicles in Stellantis's portfolio with engines 2.0 liters or larger EXCEPT FOR THE VANS. The Hornet/Compass are biding their time...

 

[cygnus]

Stupidly overpriced. Why the hell would you get this vs a Grand Cherokee 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo X For Sale in Farmington Hills, MI | Stock: SC344974

 

[cygnus]

For all of the people asking or hoping for a 2.0 Cherokee, it's more than likely not going to happen. The 2.0 GME Tornado is supposed to be upgraded to the 2.0 GME EVO this year, meaning a 300 hp 2.0 and a 400 hp 2.0 4XE. In other words, the 2.0 will become a large vehicle engine taking the 3.6 Pentastar's spot. The Pacifica and Promaster may be the only FWD vehicles with the 2.0 and 9 auto going forward. Everything else FWD/AWD going forward is likely going to have engine displacement UNDER 2.0 liters. This is why I asked in my first post why Stellantis chose not to use the 1.3 GSE Firefly with the ZF 9 speed in the 2026 Cherokee...

KM is STLA Large. So is WL74/WL75, which will get the the 2.0 GME EVO for 2026.

2.0 GME EVO will fit in KM.

 

[TripleT]

Only VW resemblance I see is the way the headlights trail back onto the fenders like the previous generation Tiguan.
View attachment 11937

Honestly aside from being a 2 box I don't see a bit of resemblance, especially since the VW are way leaned back compared to most CUVs and especially this Jeep.

 

[TripleT]

Why not use the FCA 1.3 GSE Firefly, ZF 9 speed automatic with a low range, and have a true plugin hybrid option (which the ZF 9 speed supports)? The 1.3 GSE Firefly is newer than the Peugeot 1.6, and it's also smaller with the same power meaning it's more efficient. The ZF 9 speed issues should be gone by now, but even if they weren't all they really needed to do was convert it to an 8 speed as Ford did GM's 9 speed. So who at Stellantis thought it was a great idea to rush-reengineer a powertrain engineered in France for small city cars, assemble this thing in Mexico so it would be hit by tariffs, and then market this as a Jeep Cherokee with no low range 4WD of all things? This thing is a major abomination, not only to the Jeep and Cherokee namesakes, but also to Jeep customers. Stellantis really thinks people are slow. I would rather have the Dodge Hornet over this thing...

I am going to guess most ..... Most people will be fine with it given the price.

But I agree as a Upgrade the 1.3 and e-axle that is in my Tonale would be a great upgrade. Or even the Punch with a E-axle.

 

[bill burke]

Sadly, Jeep has lost me on this Cherokee. Frankly, the Interior is dog ugly, the exterior too boxy and lacking painted bumpers and wheel lips of my current Cherokee that gave the top shelf Overland an upscale look. Worst of all, it’s hybrid only. Why no reliable and loved Pentastar V-6 for gas fans? Big, big mistake Jeep.
Yea, I’m out on this one and I had been hoping for better things from Jeep.
So, so disappointed. I can see Tavares written all over this thing. Thanks Carlos.

 

[Ryan]

This was never going to have a Pentastar. It would be uncompetitive in the segment. Using that tired engine in a brand new vehicle and expecting it to be competitive would have been the real mistake. It’s time to put that engine out to pasture.

If anything, I can see this getting the 2.0 turbo as a higher output engine along with a PHEV variant.

 

[bill burke]

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..... not happening but love it. They should drop the in JGC and Wrangler first though.

Every statement by TT has some, and I emphasize some, validity, but critical and inflammatory statements to those just wanting simple, proven and in many instances loved V-6 engines might be a low blow. Your right, it is not in the sweet spot of the market, with all its other sins, but there remains many old timers who want old things. We may not find that in this Cherokee and we may have antiquated thinking but come on, don’t insult us seasoned Jeep fans. I was taught to respect everyone no matter my opinion, which opinion, as logic defines, is fundamentally a bias itself. Show us some love won’t you.

 

[TripleT]

I guess they are silenced .... Who exactly is advocating for a heavy, complex, and uncompetitive in todays world powerplant? We need to allow some of these to retire with honors not role them out to get beat up in todays world.

YES..... the Hurricane 4 would be SRT level with a E-axle.

 

[Ryan]

The RAV4 and CR-V are segment leaders and haven’t offered a V6 in a while. RAV4 is going hybrid only as well. Those who are demanding a V6 are not reflected in any major sales numbers in the small to midsize crossover segment, so this is a case of “it matters to me so it must matter to everyone else too!”

That does not align with reality.

 

[TripleT]

The RAV4 and CR-V are segment leaders and haven’t offered a V6 in a while. RAV4 is going hybrid only as well. Those who are demanding a V6 are not reflected in any major sales numbers in the small to midsize crossover segment, so this is a case of “it matters to me so it must matter to everyone else too!”

That does not align with reality.

Yes for me to buy it would need to have more than the 210hp and 230 torque.... coming form Apache, 4xE, and Tonale PHEV....

But for the vast majority of people they buy fuel, if it goes that are happy. If it goes really far on a tank... they are VERY Happy.

 

[Ryan]

Yes for me to buy it would need to have more than the 210hp and 230 torque.... coming form Apache, 4xE, and Tonale PHEV....

But for the vast majority of people they buy fuel, if it goes that are happy. If it goes really far on a tank... they are VERY Happy.

Agree. The engine isn’t quite powerful enough for me, but should be fine for most people. But I don’t care if it has a V6 or not, in fact I’d prefer the higher output motor be a 2.0 turbo or some other PHEV because I have owned 4 Pentastar vehicles and am frankly tired of the way they feel.

 

[TripleT]

Agree. The engine isn’t quite powerful enough for me, but should be fine for most people. But I don’t care if it has a V6 or not, in fact I’d prefer the higher output motor be a 2.0 turbo or some other PHEV because I have owned 4 Pentastar vehicles and am frankly tired of the way they feel.

There is a issue when you roll out old but at one time brilliant powertrains until they are no longer competitive and tarnish their memory. Now it is just thirsty, heavy, complex, a bit dirty, and lazy power delivery.

I would expect the Punch not to reel lazy when you don't have to wait for the torque converter, the Motor will have instant power.

 

[patfromigh]

Here are some clarifications on the hybrid power-train. The gas engine is transversely mounted. It is not the Punch transmission. The supplier remains unrevealed. Remember that nearly all eCVT transmissions use planetary gears, not pulleys and belts. This transmission will have planetary gears. Attached to it is a mechanical AWD system. It is not an e-axle.

Hybrid Only to Start
The big news is Cherokee is going hybrid-only for the 26MY, with the sole propulsion system a new hybrid powertrain boasting a 177-hp, transverse-mounted 1.6L turbocharged direct-injected inline 4-cyl. engine with Miller Cycle combustion, two electric motors and a 1.08-kWh, 400V battery pack using lithium-ion cells with nickel, cobalt and manganese chemistry.

While the RAV4 is going all-hybrid (traditional and plug-in) for its upcoming 2026 model, Jeep officials here say the Cherokee’s hybrid system may not be the only propulsion system in coming model years, leaving open the possibility of others in the future.

While the 1.6L is from Europe (a PSA Peugeot Citroen and BMW creation), it has been modified for use in North American Cherokees and will be assembled at Stellantis’ Dundee, MI, engine plant, but the battery, set to be sourced from overseas, is all-new, as is the vehicle’s electronically controlled CVT – dubbed EVT by Jeep. That is being sourced from a still-to-be-named supplier.

Source WARDSAUTO Jeep Cherokee Returns for 2026 as Hybrid Only

 

[UN4GTBL]

Stupidly overpriced. Why the hell would you get this vs a Grand Cherokee 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo X For Sale in Farmington Hills, MI | Stock: SC344974

Yeah, maybe should have been closer to the $30k starting point?



Pricing in Canada is better between Compass and Grand Cherokee MSRP:
2026 Jeep Cherokee base = $42,390 ($39,995 MSRP plus additional fees
Laredo = $47,390 ($44,995 MSRP plus additional fees)
Limited = $52,390 ($49,995 MSRP and additional fees)
Overland = $56,390 ($53,995 MSRP plus additional fees)


My 2019 Cherokee Trailhawk Elite had a base MSRP of $42k, and stickered for $50k with destination/options/accessories, not that I paid that much tho.

 

[UN4GTBL]

0-60 in 8.7 seconds

 

[cygnus]

The RAV4 and CR-V are segment leaders and haven’t offered a V6 in a while. RAV4 is going hybrid only as well. Those who are demanding a V6 are not reflected in any major sales numbers in the small to midsize crossover segment, so this is a case of “it matters to me so it must matter to everyone else too!”

That does not align with reality.

Those vehicles are much smaller than this vehicle. The vehicle you’re thinking of is a 2026 Honda Pilot, which was just introduced, has a V6, and will be around for a long time.

So this will be a perfect case study for everyone that has been arguing for four cylinders with hybrids to compete against a V6 Honda Pilot.

My bet - Honda will set all time sales records with the new Pilot.

 

[UN4GTBL]

I think you are the only one that has shared the press launch, so thank you!



This is an excellent graphic to see KL vs KM.

So KL had the big nose because of the V6 supposedly, but KM still has the big nose because of what?

Is there something better coming?

 

[UN4GTBL]

@redriderbob

Were you able to stand under the open lift gate? At the end of your video it looks like the liftgate doesn't open that high?

One thing about the KL that I like, is that at 6'2", I can stand under the liftgate without a worry of hitting my head on it.

 

[vbondjr1]

Jeep is a brand that for a long time was synonymous with the Inline-6 engine. Would it be so difficult to imagine a fleet of naturally aspirated inline-6 engines making their way into alot of the brand's mainstream vehicles? Probably not. Something to the tune of about 310hp and maybe even 325lb-ft of torque. That's more than enough for a vehicle like the Cherokee, the Grand Cherokee, the Wrangler and even the Gladiator as an entry level powertrain. A Hurricane S/O would be a step up, offering 420hp/468lb-ft of torque which would be an awesome powertrain option for all of these vehicles while the Wrangler and Gladiator could go a step further with the 470hp 6.4L Hemi V8.