Our Thoughts Exactly: 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee

When I think of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, my mind goes back to when it was first introduced at the 1992 Detroit Auto Show. If you recall the moment, then-Chrysler president Bob Lutz drove then-Detroit Mayor Coleman Young from the Jefferson North Assembly Plant, down Jefferson Avenue to Cobo Hall. They proceeded to climb up the stairs to smash the new 1993 Grand Cherokee through a plate glass window. 

Those were the days! 

Five generations later, the recently refreshed 2026 Grand Cherokee remains one of top sellers for Stellantis in North America. It carries a reputation for being a tough SUV that offers the kind of comfort you expect from something softer. It is a formula that has brought a wide swath of customers to its clutches. 

Does it still have that cache it always had since 1993? 

The 2026 Grand Cherokee definitely looks the part. The grille is upright with a revised version of the trademark seven slots in chrome. The side glass profile is framed by an accent line that gives the roof a floating look. The rear end has slim horizontal taillights and a large liftgate. 

The Summit test vehicle wore a set of 21-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels to finish off the upscale look. 

Inside the 2026 Grand Cherokee cabin are soft materials, including quilted leather upholstery on the seats. The instrumentation is fully digital and highly customizable to match your needs. You also have a head-up display to keep your eyes on the road with the information you need. The controls and switches are tactile and logical. 

The center stack is crowned by a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The front passenger also gets their own screen with certain connected infotainment functions. A 19-speaker performance audio system by McIntosh emits sound throughout the cabin. 

There are loads of room for five inside the Grand Cherokee. We found the front seats to are on the firm side, with some bolstering to lock you in. Second-row seat space is plentiful. 

Cargo space starts with 37.7 cubic feet behind the second row. It is expandable to 70.8 cubic feet with the second row folded down. 

The biggest change in this mid-cycle refresh of the 2026 Grand Cherokee ius the inclusion of the Hurricane 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. This new-to-Grand Cherokee engine puts down 324 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. It is also rated to tow up to 6,200 pounds. An eight-speed automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels through a four-wheel drive system. 

To get all that power out of the Hurricane four-cylnder turbo, you really have to work the power band. If you are too soft on the accelerator, there will be a lag. Once you are cruising, it holds its own in the highway and around town. It ciuld use a pinch of refinement by eliminating that clanging noise at idle. As for fuel economy, it returned an average of 20.9 MPG

Ride quality was quite good. It absorbed the rougher patches if roadway and got really comfortable on the smoother parts. Handling was on the soft side, but was controlled through every maneuver. 

The 2026 Grand Cherokee had a tight turning radius with excellent steering system control. On-center feel was good. There was no complaints about the brakes, with solid pedal feel and travel. Stops in normal pan ic, and wet situations were quite good.

There is a choice between two- and three-row L version of the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee. In all, there are 12 models available across both body styles. You also have a choice of engines with either rear- or four-wheel drive. Pricing starts from $38.920. Our Summit 4X4 test vehicle came with a sticker price of $66,585.

The 2026 Grand Cherokee has a strong following among Jeep owners. They like their upscale SUV that has plenty of capability underneath the skin. Having that combination is what attracts these loyal customers.

What plays in the 2026 Grand Cherokee’s favor is a continued interest in mid-size two-row SUVs. For those who do not need a third row of seats will find it quite suitable for their needs. 

When it crashed through the glass at Cobo Hall back in 1992, it announced its intentions as an upmarket Jeep combining practicality, luxury, and capability.  Rest assured, it continues to do so today. 

DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by Stellantis North America – our opinions are of our own.

All photos by Randy Stern