It’s been a minute since we last saw the Jeep Cherokee, but it’s coming back and looks rather good for a compact SUV with mechanical AWD. It’s also coming with some electrification via a hybrid system. We now also know it will not be cheap when compared to its competitors.
Let’s start with the good news regarding the 2026 Jeep Cherokee Hybrid. The 1.6-liter gas engine puts down 177 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque, and the latter provides solid grunt at just 2,000 RPM. It’s coupled to a 1.08-kWh battery and a 33-hp, 9-lb-ft hybrid system for a total output of 210 hp and 230 lb-ft.
While all that power is sent through a planetary-type continuously variable automatic transmission, it can also go to all four wheels through a transfer case. That said, the Cherokee Hybrid doesn’t get a dedicated low gear. Sorry light crawler fans. It will have 8.0 inches of ground clearance, 19.6 degrees of approach angle, an 18.8-degree breakover angle, and 29.4 degrees of departure angle, so there is some real SUV left in the 2026 Jeep Cherokee. The Cherokee can also tow up to 3,500 pounds, Jeep says, so there’s some good news for those looking to attach a small camper to the new version. Keep in mind, these are stats for the mainstream Cherokee—an off-road Trailhawk version is surely coming, but has yet to be detailed.
So, How Much Will It Cost?
However, with a starting ticket of $36,995, the 2026 Jeep Cherokee Hybrid is starting off on a relatively pricey foot. It’s not the most expensive in its class (compact SUVs), but it isn’t the cheapest by a long shot. We’ll compare prices to its competition shortly. The next level up is the Cherokee Laredo at $39,995, followed by the Limited trim at $42,495, and the upscale Overland at $45,995.
The Cherokee is not your cheep Jeep anymore, but this is an issue for the smaller Compass, too. As the smallest Jeep you can buy, even the latter comes in at $28,895—that’s for a subcompact crossover, a class where a low-$20,000 starting price is possible.
Pricey Not Only for a Compact SUV, but for a Compact Hybrid SUV, Too
The Jeep’s premium pricing becomes more apparent when you compare it to top small hybrid SUVs. First up is the 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and, comparing bas