New Cherokee lineup includes base, Laredo, Limited, and Overland variants—all offering 37 miles per gallon combined and more than 500 miles of range between fill-ups.
Last week’s Cherokee unveiling in Brooklyn turned into a block party that included neighbors and 300 Jeep owners who live within 50 miles.
Jeep CEO Bob Broderdorf said consumers will be able to buy a “typically equipped” Cherokee for under $40,000, hitting a sweet spot in a crowded market.
“Don’t call it a comeback,” rapped LL Cool J in a new commercial screened as Jeep revealed the new 2026 Jeep Cherokee.
It’s a hybrid-only model—back after three years and starting at $36,995 including destination.
Hordes of young influencers at Williamsburg’s Domino Park August 21 posed for their close-ups in front of displays representing the popular Cherokee over the years, from 1974 on.
Two new cars were shown, a gray Limited and a blue Overland, alongside a row of iconic Jeeps dating back to the earliest days.
The new Cherokee lineup also includes base and Laredo variants, and all of them will offer 37 miles per gallon combined and more than 500 miles of range between fill-ups.
The emphasis at the Brooklyn unveiling was history light, the return of an icon, but with only one eye looking back.
30% More Cargo Room
The other eye, said CEO Bob Broderdorf from the stage, has “a resolute focus on where we’re going.”
Jeep sold more than 2.88 million XJ Cherokees during the model’s 17-year run, and obviously it wants to sell millions more in an evolving automotive landscape.
Chief Design Officer Ralph Gilles said the car’s evolutionary styling “is as timeless as the XJ was,” with tech, including a modestly sized 12.3-inch screen that “isn’t a giant tablet that clobbers you over the head.”
The Overland on display had an Alpine sound system as part of a fairly simple and straightforward interior layout. Practically, there’s 30% more cargo room compared to the earlier model.
Wendy Orthman, vice president of Jeep brand marketing, said the company chose to debut its car on the shores of the East River because a) Jeep is “the most patriotic brand” and the Statue of Liberty isn’t far off; and b) New York is “Jeep’s biggest sales market.”
The ads shown made the Cherokee look more urban than off-road. The unveiling later turned into a block party that included neighbors and 300 Jeep owners who live within 50 miles.
PHEV Cherokee Is Unlikely
A supergroup called The Royal Machines entertained, as well as Sebastian Bach from Skid Row.
In an interview with Autoweek, Broderdorf emphasized that Jeep hasn’t yet brought out the off-road Trailhawk version of the Cherokee, and the affordable models shown are more oriented toward pavement.
The future for Jeep is electric—at least partly. Broderdorf said that Jeep’s first hybrid without a plug made sense because “there’s no behavior change, no worry about charging.
Hybrids are hot now, and they’re the easiest way to get started with electrified powertrains.”
Asked if Jeep was pulling back on battery cars, Broderdorf said rather that the company is hedging its bets, offering the consumer “full freedom of choice.
“With our range of powertrains, from full electric to plug-in hybrid, hybrid, and internal-combustion, we’re ready for the market whichever way it goes.”
So, who are the customers for the new Cherokee?
Broderdorf said young buyers are an obvious target, but also “empty nesters, traditional midsize SUV buyers, as well as people who are simply interested in hybrid technology and its fuel-economy benefits.”
Broderdorf said a plug-in hybrid version of the Cherokee isn’t likely forthcoming because the brand has two other PHEVs on offer, in the Grand Cherokee and the Wrangler.
For now, a major focus under the new CEO is on affordability, and Broderdorf said consumers will be able to buy a “typically equipped” Cherokee for under $40,000, hitting a sweet spot in a crowded market.
Should Jeep also offer a PHEV version of the new Cherokee, or will this new hybrid be sufficient? Please comment below.
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