Model research hub
Jeep Cherokee
Car and Driver says after being discontinued in 2023, the Cherokee returns to the spotlight for 2026 as a hybrid vehicle with standard all-wheel drive, with the EPA estimating 39 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 37 mpg combined, and every 2026 Jeep Cherokee using a 12.3-inch infotainment screen running Uconnect5 software; pricing starts at $36,995 for the base model and rises to $44,995 for the top-spec Overland. The Gentleman Racer says after a three-year break, the Jeep Cherokee returns bigger, boxier, and decisively modern, with every 2026 Cherokee coming with a turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-4 engine, twin electric motors, a modest battery, and an e-CVT for all-wheel drive, and asks whether having LL Cool J as a spokesperson will be enough to launch the all-new Cherokee to the mid-40s millennials Jeep needs to reach.
A hybrid-only comeback
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says after being discontinued in 2023, the Cherokee returns to the spotlight for 2026 as a hybrid vehicle with standard all-wheel drive, with the EPA estimating 39 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 37 mpg combined, and every 2026 Jeep Cherokee using a 12.3-inch infotainment screen running Uconnect5 software.
Pricing
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says pricing for the 2026 Jeep Cherokee starts at $36,995 for the base model and rises to $44,995 for the top-spec Overland.
Bigger, boxier, and chasing new buyers
The Gentleman Racer (opens in a new tab) says after a three-year break, the Jeep Cherokee returns bigger, boxier, and decisively modern, with every 2026 Cherokee coming with a turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-4 engine, twin electric motors, a modest battery, and an e-CVT for all-wheel drive, and asks whether having LL Cool J as a spokesperson will be enough to launch the all-new Cherokee to the mid-40s millennials Jeep needs to reach.
Questions buyers ask
Is the new Jeep Cherokee a hybrid?
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says yes, it returns for 2026 as a hybrid with standard all-wheel drive.
How much does the 2026 Jeep Cherokee cost?
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says $36,995 to $44,995.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2026 Jeep Cherokee is built around 1.6L turbo hybrid four-cylinder, rated at 210 horsepower across its compact hybrid SUV body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2026 U.S. lineup has 4 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe 2026 Cherokee seats 5 and is a Compact hybrid SUV.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2026 Cherokee.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2026 Jeep Cherokee
The Cherokee returns as a hybrid-only compact SUV built around a 210-horsepower turbo hybrid four-cylinder with standard Jeep Active Drive I 4x4 across all four trims, from the base Cherokee through Laredo and Limited to the range-topping Overland.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
2 indexed Jeep Cherokee model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Jeep Cherokee | 1 | 2026 record → |
| 2023 Jeep Cherokee | 2023 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the Jeep Cherokee.
The Jeep Cherokee is a line of sport utility vehicles (SUV) manufactured and marketed by Jeep over six generations. Marketed initially as a variant of the Jeep Wagoneer (SJ), the Cherokee has evolved from a full-size station wagon (before the SUV description came into use) to one of the first compact SUVs and into its latest generation as a crossover SUV.
Source: Jeep Cherokee (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
Jeep Cherokee at a glance
- Model years
- 1974–2012, 2014–2023, 2026–present
- Class
- Full-size SUV (1974–1983), Compact SUV (1984–2013), Compact crossover SUV (2014–2023, 2026–present)
- Layout
- Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (1974–2013), Front-engine, front-wheel-drive (2014–2023), Front-engine, four-wheel-drive (1974–2023, 2026–present)
- Chassis
- Body-on-frame (1974–1983), Unibody (1984–2023, 2026–present)
- Also called
- Jeep Liberty (2002–2012)
Jeep Cherokee generations
The Jeep Cherokee has been redesigned in 1984, 2002, 2008, 2014, 2026, gaps of 10, 18, 6, 6, 12 years, an average of 10.4 years between generations. The current generation (sixth generation, KM) began in 2026.
| Generation | Code | Began | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| First generation | SJ | 1974–1984 | The first generation Cherokee was a rebadged reintroduction of a two-door body style Jeep Wagoneer. |
| Second generation | XJ | 1984–2002 | While the full-sized Wagoneer continued production for another eight years as the Grand Wagoneer, the Cherokee nameplate was moved to a new platform starting with the 1984 model year and continuing through 2001. |
| Third generation | KJ | 2002–2008 | The third generation, marketed as the Jeep Liberty in North America to differentiate it from the Grand Cherokee, was introduced in April 2001 for the 2002 model year. |
| Fourth generation | KK | 2008–2014 | Continuing to be marketed as the Jeep Liberty in North America, the Cherokee was redesigned in 2008. |
| Fifth generation | KL | 2014–2026 | For the fifth generation, the Cherokee nameplate returned to North America as the vehicle was converted to a crossover and grew to midsize to make room for the Jeep Renegade below the Cherokee and Compass. |
| Sixth generation | KM | 2026–present | Jeep revived the Cherokee for a sixth generation (KM) in August 2025. |
NHTSA rated the 2023 Jeep Cherokee overall 4 of 5 stars, front crash 4 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.
Recent recalls (4 campaigns across the latest model years)
- September 2026, Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems. Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Jeep Wagoneer, 2024-2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Jeep Grand Cherokee 4XE, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, 2025 Jeep Wagoneer L, 2025-2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer L, and 2026 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. Due to a… Consequence: A TPMS warning light that fails to notify the driver of low tire pressure increases the risk of a crash.
- August 2026, Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera. Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Gladiator, Jeep Compass, Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Jeep Grand Wagoneer L, Ram Promaster, Ram Promaster EV, Ram 1500, Ram 2500, Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In… Consequence: A rearview camera image that fails to display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- April 2026, Electronic Stability Control (Esc). Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The brake system control module may fail to operate properly, which can cause a loss of anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC). Consequence: A loss of anti-lock brakes or electronic stability control increases the risk of a crash.
Year by year
The Jeep Cherokee across 10 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records | NHTSA recalls | NHTSA complaints | NHTSA overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Jeep Cherokee | 37 | $1,750 | 1 | 3 | 5 stars | |
| 2023 Jeep Cherokee | 22–24 | $2,600–$2,850 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 stars |
| 2022 Jeep Cherokee | 21–26 | $2,400–$2,950 | 7 | 3 | 48 | 4 stars |
| 2021 Jeep Cherokee | 21–26 | $2,400–$2,950 | 9 | 4 | 154 | 4 stars |
| 2020 Jeep Cherokee | 21–26 | $2,400–$2,950 | 10 | 3 | 288 | 4 stars |
| 2019 Jeep Cherokee | 21–26 | $2,400–$2,950 | 10 | 11 | 1,623 | 4 stars |
| 2018 Jeep Cherokee | 21–25 | $2,500–$3,400 | 10 | 7 | 682 | 4 stars |
| 2017 Jeep Cherokee | 21–25 | $2,500–$3,400 | 10 | 6 | 1,332 | 4 stars |
| 2016 Jeep Cherokee | 22–25 | $2,500–$2,850 | 10 | 9 | 1,405 | 4 stars |
| 2015 Jeep Cherokee | 21–25 | $2,500–$2,950 | 10 | 11 | 1,785 | 4 stars |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the Jeep Cherokee, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 to 2026 | 2 to 1 | 23.0 to 37.0 | Labels: Cherokee AWD; Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl Hybrid; Transmissions: Automatic (variable gear ratios); Size classes: Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | Labels: Cherokee 4WD, Cherokee Trailhawk 4WD; Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 2L 4-cyl SIDI; Transmissions: Automatic 9-spd; Size classes: Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| 2022 to 2023 | 7 to 2 | 23.5 to 23.0 | Labels: Cherokee FWD; Engines: 3.2L 6-cyl; Drives: Front-Wheel Drive; Size classes: Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | |
| 2021 to 2022 | 9 to 7 | Labels: Cherokee 4WD Active Drive II | ||
| 2020 to 2021 | 10 to 9 | |||
| 2019 to 2020 | Drives: 4-Wheel Drive | |||
| 2018 to 2019 | 23.0 to 23.5 | Engines: 2L 4-cyl SIDI | Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl FFV; Fuels: Gasoline or E85, Midgrade | |
| 2016 to 2017 | 23.5 to 23.0 | Fuels: Midgrade | ||
| 2015 to 2016 | 23.0 to 23.5 |
Buying used
What the Jeep Cherokee recalls and complaints are about.
| Model year | Campaigns | Systems recalled | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | exterior lighting (brake lights); electronic stability control (esc); back over prevention (sensing system); 1 more | None |
| 2023 | 1 | power train | None |
| 2022 | 3 | exterior lighting (turn signal); air bags (side/window); power train | None |
| 2021 | 4 | suspension (front); power train (automatic transmission); air bags (side/window); 1 more | None |
| 2020 | 3 | steering (rack and pinion); back over prevention (sensing system); power train | 1 fixable over the air |
| 2019 | 11 | engine and engine cooling; power train (automatic transmission); electrical system (wiring); 6 more | None |
| 2018 | 7 | equipment (other); engine and engine cooling; fuel system, gasoline (delivery); 3 more | None |
| 2017 | 6 | air bags (knee bolster); equipment (other); electrical system (wiring); 3 more | None |
| 2016 | 9 | electrical system (wiring); power train (axle assembly); seats; 3 more | 1 stop-driving or park-outside |
| 2015 | 11 | air bags (side/window); structure (body); equipment (electrical); 6 more | 1 stop-driving or park-outside |
Recalls that told owners to stop driving or park outside
- 2015, campaign 23V-338 (May 2023): electrical system (wiring). A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- 2016, campaign 23V-338 (May 2023): electrical system (wiring). A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
| System | Complaints | Share of all complaints | Worst model year |
|---|---|---|---|
| power train | 3,661 | 50% | 2015 (1,002) |
| engine | 1,621 | 22% | 2019 (457) |
| electrical system | 1,559 | 21% | 2017 (342) |
| unknown or other | 1,401 | 19% | 2017 (343) |
| service brakes | 457 | 6% | 2015 (127) |
| vehicle speed control | 366 | 5% | 2015 (120) |
Trim by trim
Every 2026 Jeep Cherokee trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | 4WD | 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Hybrid, Turbo) | 177 | 221 | 4,295 | 3,500 | 37 | – |
| Laredo | 4WD | 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Hybrid, Turbo) | 177 | 221 | 4,295 | 3,500 | 37 | $39,995 |
| Limited | 4WD | 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Hybrid, Turbo) | 177 | 221 | 4,295 | 3,500 | 37 | $41,995 |
| 85th Anniversary Edition | 4WD | 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Hybrid, Turbo) | 177 | 221 | 4,295 | 3,500 | 37 | $42,900 |
| Overland | 4WD | 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Hybrid, Turbo) | 177 | 221 | 4,295 | 3,500 | 37 | $44,995 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2026 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every Jeep Cherokee model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Hybrid, Turbo) | 177 | 4,295 | 3,500 | 13.7 |
| 2023 | 2 | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder (Zero Evap) / 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 180–270 | 3,875–4,260 | 2,000 | 15.8 |
| 2022 | 5 | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder (Zero Evap) / 3.2-liter V6 | 180–271 | 3,960–4,250 | 2,000 | 15.8 |
| 2021 | 9 | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder (Zero Evap) / 3.2-liter V6 / 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | 180–271 | 3,875–4,250 | 2,000 | 15.8 |
| 2020 | 10 | 3.2-liter V6 | 271 | 3,875–4,250 | 2,000 | 15.8 |
| 2019 | 9 | 3.2-liter V6 | 271 | 3,953–4,046 | 4,500 | 15.8 |
| 2018 | 7 | 3.2-liter V6 | 271 | 3,953–4,046 | 4,500 | 15.8 |
| 2017 | 9 | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder / 3.2-liter V6 | 184–271 | 3,655–4,028 | 4,500 | 15.8 |
| 2016 | 9 | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder / 3.2-liter V6 | 184–271 | 3,655–4,046 | 4,500 | 15.8 |
| 2015 | 5 | 2.4-liter 4-cylinder / 3.2-liter V6 | 184–271 | 3,655–4,028 | 4,500 | 15.8 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Owning it
Oil, fluid and wheel-nut figures for the Jeep Cherokee.
| Model year | Engine oil | Brake fluid | Wheel-nut torque | A/C refrigerant | Key-fob battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0W-20 | DOT 3 | 130 lb-ft | – | – |
| 2023 | – | DOT 3 | 100 lb-ft | – | CR2032 |
| 2022 | – | DOT 3 | 100 lb-ft | – | CR2032 |
| 2021 | – | DOT 3 | 100 lb-ft | – | CR2032 |
| 2020 | – | – | 100 lb-ft | R-134a | CR2032 |
| 2019 | – | – | – | R-134a | – |
| 2018 | – | – | – | R-134a | – |
| 2017 | – | – | – | R-134a | – |
| 2015 | – | – | – | R-134a | – |
Source: the manufacturer's owner's manual for each model year. A dash means that year's manual gave no single value for it, for instance one that lists two oil grades or two key types.
Model-year recall record
Jeep Cherokee: which model years carry more or fewer federal safety recalls.
Fewer recalls than this model’s own average
- 2023 Jeep Cherokee : 1 recall on file (average across published years is 5.8).
More recalls than this model’s own average
- 2019 Jeep Cherokee : 11 recalls on file, most commonly affecting powertrain and electrical system.
- 2015 Jeep Cherokee : 11 recalls on file, most commonly affecting electrical system and equipment.
| Model year | Federal recalls on file | Complaints on file | Recalls most commonly affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | not available | exterior lighting, stability control, backup camera |
| 2025 | 0 | ||
| 2024 | 0 | ||
| 2023 | 1 | 3 | powertrain |
| 2022 | 3 | 48 | exterior lighting, airbags, powertrain |
| 2021 | 4 | 154 | powertrain, suspension, airbags |
| 2020 | 3 | 288 | backup camera, steering, powertrain |
| 2019 | 11 | 1623 | powertrain, electrical system, airbags, steering |
| 2018 | 7 | 682 | powertrain, electrical system, fuel system, equipment |
| 2017 | 6 | 1332 | powertrain, electrical system, equipment, airbags |
| 2016 | 9 | 1405 | powertrain, electrical system, equipment, seats |
| 2015 | 11 | 1785 | electrical system, equipment, powertrain, structure |
Method: recall counts and their affected components come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Recalls API, queried by exact make, model and model year. Complaint counts come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Complaints API, same query pattern. Data pulled 2026-09-04.
Known gap: the NHTSA complaints API did not return data for Jeep Cherokee model year 2026 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream, not returning a genuine zero. Those years are marked "not available" above instead of shown as clean; recall counts for those years are unaffected and come from the separate recalls API, which returned data for every year listed.
Check open recalls by VIN for one particular vehicle.
Q01Is there a best year to buy a Jeep Cherokee?
Recall count alone can't answer that: it says nothing about a specific vehicle's price, mileage, accident history or maintenance record. What federal data can say: 2023 carried fewer recalls than this model's own average, while 2019, 2015 carried more. See the model-year table on this page for the exact counts and what they cover.
Q02Which Jeep Cherokee model years should I watch for recalls?
The 2019 Jeep Cherokee has 11 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting powertrain, electrical system, airbags; The 2015 Jeep Cherokee has 11 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting electrical system, equipment, powertrain. Always confirm the open/completed status of every campaign for the specific VIN: a recall on this list may already be repaired on the vehicle in front of you.
Q03Which Jeep Cherokee model years have the cleanest federal recall record?
The 2023 Jeep Cherokee has 1 recall on file: below this model's own average of 5.8. A shorter list on file as of this page's data pull is not a guarantee against a future recall.
Q04What are common recall-related problems on the Jeep Cherokee by model year?
2026: exterior lighting, stability control, backup camera. 2023: powertrain. 2022: exterior lighting, airbags, powertrain. 2021: powertrain, suspension, airbags. 2020: backup camera, steering, powertrain. 2019: powertrain, electrical system, airbags, steering.
Q05Why do some Jeep Cherokee model years show "not available" for complaints?
The NHTSA complaints API did not return data for Jeep Cherokee model year 2026 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream instead of the count genuinely being zero. Recall counts for those years are unaffected; they come from a separate NHTSA endpoint that returned data for every year listed.
Diagnosing one of these symptoms? The recalled systems above map to this site’s own ownership desks: general, evidence-first guidance that applies regardless of whether the specific vehicle in front of you was ever part of a recall campaign: Climate and electrical, Buying, records and recalls, Transmission and drivetrain, Engine and cooling, Brakes, tires and steering.
2019 Jeep Cherokee owners specifically: see Transmission and drivetrain and Climate and electrical and Buying, records and recalls and Brakes, tires and steering.
2015 Jeep Cherokee owners specifically: see Climate and electrical and Buying, records and recalls and Transmission and drivetrain.
Trim ladder
1 Jeep Cherokee trim, each with its own page.
Compared with
Models this Jeep Cherokee is most often compared with.
Nearest Jeep models
Other Jeep models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2026 Cherokee come in?
The 2026 Jeep Cherokee (compact hybrid SUV) comes in 4 trims: Cherokee, Laredo, Limited, Overland.
Q02What are the 2026 Cherokee trims?
The 2026 Jeep Cherokee trims are Cherokee, Laredo, Limited, Overland, listed from the entry Cherokee up to the top Overland.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2026 Cherokee use?
The 2026 Jeep Cherokee is built around 1.6L turbo hybrid four-cylinder, rated at 210 horsepower across its compact hybrid SUV body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2026 Cherokee have?
The 2026 Jeep Cherokee is rated at 210 horsepower (1.6L turbo hybrid four-cylinder).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2026 Cherokee?
The 2026 Jeep Cherokee is offered with Standard AWD.