2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Review: Hurricane Power and Premium Polish

The Jeep Grand Cherokee burst onto the scene nearly 35 years ago and finished 2025 as the brand’s best-selling vehicle. That’s hardly surprising as it offers a compelling mix of comfort, space, and capability. For decades, the Grand Cherokee has occupied a unique white space in the American automotive landscape, straddling the line between mainstream family haulers and genuine luxury SUVs. It is the vehicle that taught us a rugged 4×4 could also be a sophisticated daily driver.

That continues to hold true for the 2026 model year, but Jeep has changed some key ingredients. Most notably, the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 has been replaced by an all-new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in most trims. However, the company didn’t stop there as they gave the mid-size SUV a minor facelift and some new technology to keep it competitive against a growing field of rivals like the Kia Telluride and Ford Explorer.

A Light Exterior Refresh

The fifth-generation Grand Cherokee debuted in 2021 and still looks good today. Given this, designers didn’t mess with success as exterior changes are relatively minor and easy to overlook. Jeep understands its audience; the Grand Cherokee’s silhouette is iconic, and radical changes often do more harm than good in this segment.

However, the crossover adopts a new seven-slot grille that echoes the one found on the smaller Cherokee. It’s flanked by revamped headlights and an updated front bumper. The latter incorporates a new mid-mounted intake as well as larger outer openings, giving the face a slightly more technical, modern aesthetic. The modest changes continue further back with revised wheels and new trim finishes. Buyers will also find fresh colors known as Copper Shino, Fathom Blue, and Steel Blue.

Photos Michael Gauthier/Carscoops

While these changes are easy to miss, the 2026 Grand Cherokee adopts an all-new rear bumper that lacks exhaust cut outs. This results in a cleaner, but less aggressive appearance. It’s a subtle shift toward a more EV-adjacent or minimalist look, even though there is still a combustion engine doing the heavy lifting under the hood.

An Interior Luxury Brands Should Study

The automotive industry has seemingly entered the dark ages of interior design as far too many companies have embraced black interiors with gloss black trim and massive screens. Instead of conveying a sense of modern luxury, they often come off feeling cold and clinical. That’s certainly not the case with our range-topping Grand Cherokee Summit, which has an interior that luxury brands should take note of.

The cabin is immediately inviting thanks to stylish Palermo leather seats and light Absolute Oak wood trim. They’re joined by stylish metal accents, diamond-quilted door panels, and just the right amount of gloss black plastic. Everywhere you look, it’s clear someone paid attention and sweated the smallest details. Virtually every surface is leather or soft-touch plastic, and numerous components have faux stitching that elevates their appearance.

Photos Michael Gauthier/Carscoops

Drivers sit behind a bright 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, which offers numerous display options ranging from classic gauges to a full map view. It’s joined by an all-new 12.3-inch Uconnnect 5 infotainment system, which comes standard on Laredo Altitude and above trims. It replaces last year’s 10.1-inch display and is accompanied by new switchgear. The system is fast, responsive, and easy to use. Jeep also provides dedicated buttons and knobs for commonly used features such as the climate control system and heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats—a welcome relief from the industry trend of burying everything in a touchscreen. Lesser versions retain their relatively small, 8.4-inch Uconnect 5 display.

Sticking with screens, our tester was equipped with a 10.25-inch front passenger display. These have become relatively common on luxury vehicles, but they often look like a tacked on afterthought. That’s not the case with the Grand Cherokee’s display, which is nicely integrated into the cabin. However, the screen doesn’t live up to its potential as there’s no YouTube or Netflix integration. Instead, you’re forced to play videos via USB flash drive or an HDMI connection, like it’s the early 2000’s. Users can also connect Bluetooth headphones and listen to the radio, though most would likely prefer smartphone streaming.

The 19-speaker McIntosh premium audio system is far better. I’m no audiophile, but it sounds amazing and you’ll immediately miss it when driving something else. Highlights include four door-mounted woofers, a rear 10-inch subwoofer, and circular dash-mounted speakers with integrated tweeters, all behind stylish metal grilles with illuminated logos.

Putting the tech features aside, the Grand Cherokee remains a master of ergonomics. The supportive front seats feature 12-way power adjustment and memory on both sides, remaining comfortable for hours with five massage settings. Second-row passengers enjoy 38.2 inches of legroom and an adjustable backrest. The Summit trim even adds four-zone climate control and ventilated rear seats. Cargo capacity stands at 37.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 70.8 cubic feet with the second row stowed. While generous, the lack of a power-folding option is a minor disappointment at this price point. Those needing more utility can opt for the Grand Cherokee L, though its 84.6 cubic feet of maximum space still trails the class leaders.

A Turbocharged Heart

Under the hood, the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 continues to be found in the value-focused Laredo and Laredo X trims, producing 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. However, the biggest news for 2026 is the introduction of a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. This “Hurricane” engine features turbulent jet ignition combustion technology, which uses a spark plug to ignite a small amount of fuel in a pre-chamber to trigger a faster, more complete burn. Operating on the Miller cycle with twin spark plugs per cylinder and a variable geometry turbocharger, this engine is designed for both punch and efficiency—and it remarkably runs on regular 87 octane.

Photos Michael Gauthier/Carscoops

The new engine produces 324 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque—a significant jump of 31 hp and 72 lb-ft over the aging V6. While it can’t quite match the 390 lb-ft of the departed 5.7-liter Hemi V8, it feels plenty peppy in daily driving. EPA ratings sit at 21 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, representing a modest but welcome improvement in efficiency. In real-world testing, we actually beat those figures, averaging 24.1 mpg over a week of mixed driving.

The Hurricane is reasonably refined and works well around town with minimal turbo lag. While the start/stop system can be a bit rough and highway passing requires a brief wait for the turbo to spool, the engine is generally civilized. Crucially, it maintains the Grand Cherokee’s 6,200-lb towing capacity, ensuring that downsizing the displacement doesn’t mean downsizing the lifestyle.

Comfortable And Capable

Sliding behind the wheel reveals a driving experience geared toward comfort. A large part of this can be chalked up to the Quadra–Lift air suspension, which gives the Grand Cherokee a bit of a floaty feel, easily soaking up road imperfections. Despite the soft ride, body roll is kept in check. Switching to Sport mode lowers the suspension and adds heft to the steering, though the louder exhaust note in this mode can become tiring over time.

The Jeep has legitimate off-road chops that most competitors can’t match. The air suspension provides up to 10.9 inches of ground clearance and a 30.1-degree approach angle. On the road, the Hands–Free Active Driving Assist system is a standout, operating in a smooth, safe, and reassuring manner with automated lane changes. While the brakes feel a bit soft with significant travel before engagement, the overall package is one of high-end competence.

Verdict

The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee transcends the usual facelift by adopting a more modern powertrain that brings a notable performance boost. While our $66,585 Summit tester is undeniably expensive, the lineup starts at $38,920. The $44,360 Laredo Altitude represents the heart of the market, offering the new turbo engine and Capri leatherette seats. By mixing mainstream appeal with a surprising amount of luxury, Jeep has ensured its best-seller remains a benchmark in the segment.

Photos Michael Gauthier/Carscoops