Updated 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee: New Engine and Familiar Luxury
The Jeep Grand Cherokee hit the market nearly 35 years ago and finished 2025 as the brand’s best-selling vehicle. This is not surprising, as it offers an attractive combination of comfort, space, and capability.
This statement remains true for the 2026 model year, but Jeep has changed some key components. Most notably, the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine has been replaced by an all-new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in most trims. However, the company didn’t stop there, giving the mid-size SUV a minor facelift and new technologies.
Fast Facts
Light Exterior Updates
The fifth-generation Grand Cherokee debuted in 2021 and still looks good. Given this, designers didn’t experiment with success, so the exterior changes are relatively minor and easy to miss.
However, the crossover gets a new seven-slot grille that echoes the one on the smaller Cherokee. It is complemented by updated headlights and a front bumper. The latter features a new central air intake and larger side openings.
Photo: Michael Gauthier/Carscoops
The modest changes continue further back: updated wheel designs and new trim options. Buyers will also find new colors known as Copper Shino, Fathom Blue, and Steel Blue.
While these changes are easy to overlook, the 2026 Grand Cherokee gets an all-new rear bumper without cutouts for the exhaust system. This gives it a cleaner but less aggressive look.
An Interior That Luxury Brands Should Study
The automotive industry seems to have entered a dark age of interior design, as too many companies use black cabins with glossy black plastic and massive screens. Instead of conveying a sense of modern luxury, they often feel cold and clinical.
This is certainly not the case with our top-of-the-line Grand Cherokee Summit, whose interior is worthy of luxury brands. The cabin immediately impresses with stylish Palermo leather seats and light Absolute Oak wood trim. They are complemented by stylish metallic accents, diamond-patterned door panel stitching, and just the right amount of glossy black plastic.
No matter where you look, it’s clear that someone paid attention to the smallest details. Virtually every surface is covered in leather or soft-touch plastic, and numerous components have faux stitching that enhances their appearance.
Photo: Michael Gauthier/Carscoops
Drivers sit behind a bright 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster that offers numerous display modes: from classic gauges to a full map. It is joined by an all-new 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 infotainment system that comes standard starting with the Laredo Altitude trim.
It replaces last year’s 10.1-inch display and is accompanied by new switches. The system is fast, responsive, and easy to use. Jeep also provides dedicated buttons and knobs for frequently used functions like the climate control system and heated, ventilated, and massaged front seats. Lower trims retain the relatively small 8.4-inch Uconnect 5 display.
Speaking of screens, our test vehicle was equipped with a 10.25-inch display for the front passenger. These have become relatively common on luxury vehicles but often look like an afterthought. In the Grand Cherokee, this is not the case: the display is harmoniously integrated into the cabin.
That’s good news, but the screen doesn’t live up to its potential, as there is no YouTube or Netflix integration. Instead, video can only be played via a USB flash drive or HDMI connection, as if we were in the early 2000s.
Users can also connect Bluetooth headphones and listen to the radio. Of course, most people would prefer to use their smartphone and stream music.
Other features are also not impressive, but navigation and camera view options are available. The former allows passengers to act as co-pilots and send destinations to the main infotainment system.
Aside from mediocre features, the display is dim and prone to glare during the day. It’s not the best combination, but the front passenger display comes standard on the Summit.
Photo: Michael Gauthier/Carscoops
Fortunately, the premium 19-speaker McIntosh audio system is much better. I’m not an audiophile, but it sounds incredible, and you’ll immediately miss it when you get into another car. Features include four woofers in the doors, a rear 10-inch subwoofer, and round dashboard speakers with integrated tweeters. The system also features stylish metal grilles with illuminated logos.
Putting the tech aside, the Grand Cherokee has supportive front seats with 12-way power adjustment and memory on both sides. They remain comfortable for hours and feature five massage modes, each with three intensity levels.
Second-row passengers don’t feel like second-class citizens, as there is a comfortable bench with an adjustable backrest and a fold-down armrest with cupholders. More importantly, the top trim has four-zone climate control, as well as heated and ventilated rear seats. Passengers also get two USB-C ports for charging and a 115-volt outlet.
That’s quite impressive, and the good news doesn’t end there: the second row offers 971 mm of legroom. This 6’2″ journalist also found plenty of headroom, even with the panoramic sunroof.
Speaking of space, the Grand Cherokee can hold 1068 liters of cargo behind the rear seats. This can be expanded to 2005 liters by folding the second row, but there is no power-folding option, which is slightly disappointing given the $66,585 price tag.
If you need more space, you can always move up to the Grand Cherokee L. It has a power-folding third row and a maximum cargo capacity of 2396 liters. However, this trails competitors like the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride.
A Turbocharged Heart
Under the hood, the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 continues to be used in the base Laredo and Laredo X trims. It produces 293 hp and 352 Nm of torque, and drivers can expect fuel economy of up to 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 22 combined.
This brings us to the biggest news for 2026, namely the arrival of the turbocharged 2.0-liter Hurricane four-cylinder engine. It uses turbulent jet ignition technology, which “uses a spark plug to ignite a small amount of fuel in a pre-chamber above each cylinder. The burning fuel expands and jets into the combustion chamber, causing faster and more complete combustion of the air-fuel mixture, resulting in better performance and fuel efficiency.”
The engine operates on the Miller cycle and has two spark plugs per cylinder. It also features port and direct injection, a variable geometry turbocharger, and electric pumps to reduce parasitic losses. Despite its intricate features, it runs on regular 87-octane gasoline.
Photo: Michael Gauthier/Carscoops
Speaking of fuel, the engine has an EPA rating of up to 21 mpg city, 27 highway, and 23 combined. This means it provides an additional 2 mpg in the city, 1 on the highway, and 1 in combined driving. This isn’t hugely impressive, but the new engine is 10.5% more efficient in the city and produces fewer emissions.
While the fuel economy gains are welcome, the good news doesn’t end there. On the contrary, the engine produces 324 hp and 450 Nm of torque. That’s 31 hp and 98 Nm more than the aging Pentastar V6.
The turbocharged engine has enough energy to move the Grand Cherokee with ease. However, it still trails the old 5.7-liter Hemi V8, which produced 357 hp and 528 Nm.
The Hurricane engine is quite refined and works well in the city, as turbo lag is minimal. The latter becomes more noticeable at highway speeds, where there is a slight delay when you press the accelerator to pass slower vehicles.
The start/stop system can be a bit rough sometimes, but that’s the nature of such systems. However, overall, the engine is quite civilized and polite. It may not have the smoothness of the Pentastar, but we managed to beat the combined EPA rating, achieving an average of 24.1 mpg over the course of a week.
All things considered, the engine has many advantages: it’s more powerful and more efficient than the 3.6-liter V6. It also allows the Grand Cherokee to tow up to 2812 kg, which is the same figure as the Pentastar.
Comfortable and Capable
Getting behind the wheel, you experience a pleasant driving experience focused on comfort. This is largely thanks to the Quadra-Lift air suspension, which gives the Grand Cherokee a somewhat floaty feel. It allows the crossover to effortlessly absorb road imperfections without much fuss. Despite this, body roll is controlled, and the vehicle is surprisingly flat and confident in corners.
With the push of a button, the car switches to Sport mode. This lowers the suspension, adds weight to the steering, and makes gear changes sharper. The exhaust also takes on a louder, sportier note that can become a bit tiring over time.
Both engines are connected to a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission controlled by a rotary dial. In our test vehicle, it was paired with the Quadra-Trac II all-wheel-drive system and an electronic rear differential lock.
Like most owners, I drove primarily in the city, but the Grand Cherokee has serious off-road capabilities. The aforementioned air suspension has two off-road modes, with the highest providing 277 mm of ground clearance, as well as approach angles up to 30.1 degrees.
Returning to asphalt, the Jeep offers excellent visibility in all directions, as well as a multitude of camera modes. These are complemented by a nicely weighted steering wheel and a linear accelerator pedal. While the vehicle handles well, it feels somewhat detached and not very engaging.
The brakes are also not the best: there is some pedal travel before they engage. You get used to it after a while, but they get the job done. Unsurprisingly, they aren’t anything special, as the model has 14-inch and 13.8-inch discs with dual-piston calipers up front.
The cabin is relatively quiet in the city, but at highway speeds, there is a bit of wind noise from the front pillars. However, this is not critical, and it gives you another reason to turn up the McIntosh audio system.
We should also praise the Hands-Free Active Driving Assist system, which works surprisingly well. It controls the Grand Cherokee smoothly, safely, and confidently. While you still need to stay attentive, it provides automated lane changes and simple control.
Verdict
The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee goes beyond a typical facelift, receiving an all-new turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. This is a welcome change as it brings a noticeable increase in performance and slightly better efficiency.
While the engine is new, the company hasn’t experimented with success in other areas. The design remains recognizable but includes a few minor changes, as well as a larger 12.3-inch infotainment system.
Buyers will also find a comfortable ride, decent handling, and a spacious cabin with more character than many luxury vehicles. Of course, this shouldn’t be surprising, given that our test vehicle cost $66,585.
That’s obviously a lot of money, but the 2026 Grand Cherokee starts at $38,920 before a $1,995 destination charge. While the base model is good, the standout in the lineup is the Laredo Altitude trim at $44,360.
It gets the turbocharged engine, as well as a set of premium features, including heated front seats upholstered in Capri leatherette with Alcantara inserts. These are complemented by a heated steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, and the new infotainment system.
All things considered, the latest Grand Cherokee has a lot going for it, blending mass-market appeal with a surprising amount of luxury.
The 2026 update shows that Jeep has successfully found a balance between modernization and preserving time-tested qualities. Replacing the naturally aspirated V6 with the turbocharged Hurricane four-cylinder engine is a bold but justified move that improves dynamics and efficiency without sacrificing towing capacity. At the same time, the interior of the top-spec Summit trim can truly compete with premium German rivals in terms of material quality and attention to detail. Although the price for such versions can reach luxury brand levels, the base cost and rich standard equipment of the Laredo Altitude make the Grand Cherokee an attractive choice for a wide range of buyers looking for a modern, spacious, and comfortable SUV.