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2026 Jeep Cherokee
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The Jeep Cherokee is back after being discontinued for two years, and for 2026 Jeep completely redesigned it as a hybrid SUV with a more modern look, better fuel economy, and significantly more cargo space. I actually think Jeep did a really nice job with this redesign. That said, this is definitely more of a two-kid car than a true three-across family hauler.
- Hybrid fuel economy is seriously impressive: I averaged around 39 MPG while driving this all week, which is wild for a four-wheel-drive Jeep SUV.
- Lower anchors are easy to access: the lower anchors in both outboard second-row seats are exposed and easy to use, which made installing the infant seat really simple.
- Three tether anchors across the second row: Jeep included tether anchors for all three second-row seating positions, which gives families more flexibility with forward-facing car seats.
- Best setup is two car seats: I think this works really well for two kids in car seats, but I would not buy this specifically for a three-across setup.
- Slim car seats fit best here: the Graco SlimFit 3 LX worked really well because it’s narrow and lower-profile, which helps preserve leg room in a smaller second row.
- Rear-facing space is limited for taller drivers: with my seat set for a 6-foot driver, a compact infant seat fit fine, but bulkier rear-facing seats are going to feel tight.
- The trunk space is huge for this class: Jeep added about 30% more cargo space for 2026, and honestly the trunk feels massive compared to how compact the second row is.
- Storage up front is surprisingly good: the center storage area is huge, there are two cupholders, extra storage under the console area, and the cabin overall feels very functional for family life.
The Exterior
The 2026 Cherokee Looks More Boxy And Much More Modern
I actually think Jeep did a really nice job redesigning the Cherokee for 2026. The old Cherokee design had gotten a little soft looking over the years, and this new one feels cleaner, boxier, and a lot more current without losing that Jeep identity.
The updated shape gives it a more SUV-like look overall, especially compared to the outgoing body style. It feels a little sleeker while still keeping that rugged Jeep styling families tend to like.
- Boxier redesign feels more modern: Jeep cleaned up a lot of the softer lines from the previous Cherokee and gave this one a more squared-off look.
- Flush door handles add a sleek touch: the new flush handles look nice from the outside, even though I’m not completely sold on the electronic door-opening setup inside.
- Two-tone wheels look really sharp: I liked the wheel design on this trim, especially with the little Easter egg detail Jeep added.
- Roof rails are included: always nice to have for families hauling extra gear, especially on a smaller SUV like this.
- The Cherokee is still the smallest of the lineup: this sits below the Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L, so it feels easier to maneuver while still giving you solid cargo space.
- The rear design is simple and clean: nothing super flashy back there, but overall I think the redesign looks cohesive and updated.
First Row
The first row of the redesigned Cherokee feels much more modern than the outgoing version. I actually really like Jeep’s infotainment system, and overall this interior feels updated and easy to use, even on the lower Laredo trim.
The Digital Screens Make The Cabin Feel More Upscale
Jeep completely redesigned the dashboard for 2026, and the technology is definitely one of the highlights. The steering wheel is thicker and more squared off, the digital dash looks clean, and the large infotainment screen feels nicely integrated into the cabin.
- Full digital gauge cluster: gives the cabin a much more updated feel compared to the previous Cherokee.
- Large infotainment display: responsive and easy to use. Honestly, it reminds me a little bit of a Range Rover setup.
- Physical climate controls are still included: I appreciate that Jeep kept the climate functions easy to access instead of burying everything in the screen.
Storage Space Is Better Than I Expected
The storage in this Cherokee actually surprised me. For a smaller SUV, there are a lot of usable spaces throughout the front row.
- Huge center storage area: there’s a massive storage space under the center stack that feels very functional for everyday family use.
- Two cupholders up front: easy to reach and positioned well.
- Deep center console: smaller opening, but surprisingly deep once you open it up.
- Wireless charger placement feels awkward: you have to slide your phone into a narrow slot, which I didn’t love.
Visibility Is Good (Even With The Boxier Design)
One thing I noticed right away is that visibility is pretty solid in this car. The larger rear window helps, especially in a smaller SUV where visibility can sometimes feel tight.
The Laredo Trim Feels A Little Sparse For $40,000
This Laredo trim gets you the hybrid powertrain and great fuel economy, but there were definitely a few things I missed while driving it all week.
The cloth seats felt like a strange choice at this price point, especially because this trim also skips features like a power tailgate and sunroof. I really expected at least a leatherette seating option in a brand-new $40,000 SUV.
Second Row
The second row of the new Cherokee works well for families with one or two kids in car seats, but I would not buy this SUV specifically for a three-across setup. Jeep gave this car a huge trunk, and I honestly think some of that space could have gone toward giving the second row a little more leg room.
Lower Anchors In Both Outboard Seats And Three Tether Anchors Across
The lower anchors are located in both outboard second-row seats, and I really appreciated how exposed and easy to access they were. Installing the baseless infant seat was quick and straightforward.
Jeep also included three top tether anchors across the back row, which gives families more flexibility with forward-facing car seat setups.
- Lower anchors in both outboard seats: easy to see and easy to access.
- Three tether anchors across the second row: allows more flexibility for forward-facing installs.
- Rigid buckle design helps booster-age kids: the buckle cutouts make them easier to reach, even though I wish the buckles had a little more flexibility.
Rear-Facing Space Feels Tight For Taller Drivers
I tested a compact baseless infant seat with the driver’s seat adjusted for me at about 6 feet tall, and there really was not a ton of extra room left over. If you’re planning on using a larger rear-facing seat or something bulky like a rotating seat, I would definitely be mindful of your front-seat space.
The Graco SlimFit 3 LX worked especially well here because it’s narrower and lower profile.
This Is Better For Two Kids Than Three Across
I know everyone always asks about three-across setups, but this just is not the vehicle I would choose for that. Could you probably make three slim seats work? Maybe. But I would not call this a true three-across family SUV.
For one or two kids though, I actually think this setup works really well.
- Good knee room for adults: comfortable enough for everyday family use.
- Two USB-C ports and rear vents: helpful for kids riding back here.
- Only one seatback pocket: kind of funny and a little random in a family SUV.
- Second row feels smaller than the trunk suggests: the cargo area is huge, while the seating area feels a bit tighter.
Third Row
Trunk
The 2026 Cherokee Has A Massive Trunk For A Smaller SUV
Jeep says the redesigned 2026 Cherokee has about 30% more trunk space than the outgoing Cherokee, and you can absolutely feel that difference. This cargo area is huge for a smaller hybrid SUV.
Honestly, I was super impressed with how much space Jeep gave this trunk. There’s a ton of usable room back here, plus even more storage underneath the cargo floor.
- About 30% more cargo space for 2026: Jeep clearly prioritized trunk space in this redesign.
- Huge cargo area: there is a lot of usable floor space for strollers, groceries, sports gear, or travel bags.
- Additional storage underneath the cargo floor: gives families even more room to organize smaller items.
- The trunk feels bigger than the second row: I honestly almost wish Jeep had taken a little space from the trunk and given it back to the second row for more leg room.
The Laredo Trim Misses A Power Tailgate
One thing that surprised me was the lack of a power tailgate on this Laredo trim. For a brand-new $40,000 SUV, that felt like a pretty noticeable omission.
Safety
The 2026 Jeep Cherokee Has Not Yet Been Rated By IIHS
At the time of this review, the redesigned 2026 Jeep Cherokee had not yet been evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Front Outboard Seat Belt Pretensioners Are Included
The 2026 Jeep Cherokee includes pretensioning devices in the front outboard seat belt systems. These devices are designed to remove slack from the seat belt early in a collision to help improve seat belt performance.
More Than 110 Safety And Security Features Were Available
- Full-Speed Collision Warning with Active Braking and Pedestrian/Cyclist Detection
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go
- Active Lane Management
- LaneSense Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist
- Blind-spot Monitoring
- Rear Cross Path detection
- ParkView rear backup camera
- ParkSense rear park assist sensors with stop
- Tire-pressure monitoring
Additional Driver Assistance Features Were Available
- 360-degree surround view camera system
- Night Vision Camera with pedestrian and animal detection
- Drowsy Driver Detection
- Traffic Sign Recognition
- Active Driving Assist
- Intersection Collision Assist
The 2026 Cherokee Works Best For Two Kids In Car Seats
I think the redesigned Cherokee is a really solid option for families with one or two kids in car seats. The lower anchors are easy to access, the trunk space is huge, and there’s enough flexibility for different types of installs. That said, this is not the SUV I would personally choose for a dedicated three-across setup.
Lower Anchors Are Located In Both Outboard Seats
The lower anchors are located in both outboard second-row seats, and I really appreciated how exposed they were. Installing the baseless infant seat was quick and straightforward because you do not have to dig through the seat cushions to find the anchors.
I tested the Joint baseless infant seat here, and it fit well with the driver’s seat adjusted for me at about 6 feet tall. But there was not a ton of extra room left over.
- Lower anchors in both outboard seats: easy to access and clearly visible.
- Compact infant seats fit best: bulkier rear-facing seats are going to make the second row feel tight, especially for taller drivers.
- Rotating car seats may feel cramped: because this is a smaller SUV overall.
Three Tether Anchors Give Families More Flexibility
Jeep included three top tether anchors across the second row, which is always nice to see for families with forward-facing car seats.
I also tested the Graco SlimFit 3 LX here, and I think narrower, lower-profile seats work especially well in this vehicle because they help preserve leg room and keep the second row feeling more functional.
- Three tether anchors across the back: allows more flexibility for forward-facing installs.
- Slim car seats work best here: especially for families trying to maximize space.
- Booster buckles are easier to access than expected: the buckle cutouts help, even though the buckles themselves are not super flexible.
Three Across Is Possible, But Not Ideal
I do think you could probably make three slim car seats work if you absolutely needed to, but I would not buy this SUV specifically for that purpose. The bench is simply not wide enough to make three-across feel easy or spacious.
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