The new Jeep Cherokee will remain capable off-road, as CEO Bob Broderdorf affirmed. After an absence of several years, the Cherokee is making its official return. Although the 2026 model is a mid-size vehicle similar to the one it replaces, it will arrive in a radically different automotive landscape, much more competitive and unpredictable.
A Transformed Market for the Cherokee’s Return
The SUV segment has evolved significantly since the last generation of the Cherokee. Jeep will no longer be alone against outdated competition. Toyota has unveiled a new Land Cruiser and a 4Runner, while Subaru and Honda are enhancing the off-road capabilities of their two-row models. Nissan has even announced the upcoming return of the Xterra. By 2025, almost every brand is now an SUV brand.
A Key Positioning for Jeep Dealers
In Jeep dealerships, customers often dream of a Wrangler or a Gladiator but frequently leave driving a Grand Cherokee or a Compass due to budget constraints. The reasonably priced, mid-size Cherokee will offer dealers a third option for buyers limited by their wallets.
Off-Road Heritage Preserved
But the need for volume does not mean that Jeep’s mainstream models have to be boring. CEO Bob Broderdorf wanted to reassure purists: despite market constraints, the new Cherokee will uphold the brand’s 4×4 heritage.
A Trailhawk Version and a Competent Mechanical Base
When asked about his aspirations, Broderdorf assured not only that a Trailhawk version would be introduced but also that even the most basic models would have the fundamental mechanical components to tackle off-road trails. “It’s a Jeep,” he stated emphatically.
A Shared Platform but a Specific Powertrain
The Cherokee is built on the same new platform as other mid-size models from the Stellantis group. However, it will not be the flagship for the brand’s electrification. It will also not feature Jeep’s longitudinal engines. The four-cylinder hybrid powertrain is a transverse (“east-west”) configuration with a traditional mechanical transmission and a driveshaft at the rear. In short: no Hemi in sight.
The only remaining unanswered question is the precise launch timeline.