Driven Car Reviews May 29, 2026

2026 Jeep Cherokee Is Back... as a Hybrid

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15:41

Term

hybrid

A hybrid uses two power sources: a gas engine and an electric motor. It can use electricity for part of the driving and can also recharge the battery when you slow down.

Term

Generation 6

“Generation 6” means the newest big redesign of the Cherokee. New generations usually change things like the platform, interior layout, and what engines or hybrid systems are available.

Term

STLA large platform

A platform is the main “foundation” a car is built on. Stellantis’ STLA large platform is a shared foundation that can support different Jeep/Dodge-style vehicles and different powertrain types.

Car

The Dodge Charger is a large American performance-oriented sedan/coupe nameplate that, in this segment, is mentioned as sharing Stellantis’ STLA large platform. That platform-sharing is used to illustrate how the same underlying architecture can support different vehicle types.

Car

Jeep Recon

The Jeep Recon is a future Jeep model. The host brings it up to explain that the same platform can be used for different kinds of powertrains, including electric.

Term

all-wheel drive

All-wheel drive means the car can send power to all four wheels. That usually helps it grip better on wet, snowy, or rough roads.

Term

incentives

Incentives are discounts or deals that can reduce the final price you pay. They can make a car seem cheaper than its sticker price.

Term

digital rear-view mirror

Instead of a normal mirror, it uses a camera and a screen to show what’s behind you. That can make the view clearer in some situations.

Car

Nissan Rogue E-Power

They mention the Nissan Rogue E-Power as a hybrid-style system coming soon. It’s designed so the wheels are driven by electric power, with the gas engine acting more like a generator.

Car

Mazda Cx50

They list the Mazda CX-50 as another hybrid alternative. The point is that the Cherokee has a lot of competition.

Term

ECVT

ECVT is a hybrid transmission that can smoothly change how the power is sent to the wheels. Instead of fixed gears, it can keep the engine in a good efficiency range.

Term

rotary selectors

These are the dial-style gear selectors instead of a stick shift. Some people don’t like them at first, but the host says it can be easy once you get used to it.

Term

regen drag

Regen drag is the “slow down” feeling when you lift off the accelerator in a hybrid. It happens because the electric system helps slow the car and turns that motion into electricity.

Term

select terrain

Select Terrain is Jeep’s set of drive modes. You pick the surface you’re on, and the car adjusts how it drives to match it.

Term

low gear setting

Low gear setting makes the car respond with more control at slow speeds. It’s useful for rough terrain or situations where you want the car to crawl rather than move quickly.

Term

underbody gets minimal protection

This means the bottom of the car has fewer shields to protect it from damage. That can be a problem on rough roads or off-road trails where you might hit rocks.

Term

shaft

Here, “shaft” means a mechanical connection that sends power to the wheels. The host is comparing Jeep’s setup to Toyota’s, where electric motors can drive the rear wheels instead of relying on that mechanical path.

Term

disconnect

A disconnect means the car can temporarily disengage part of the drivetrain. That reduces wasted energy and can improve fuel economy.

Term

1 kilowatt hour lithium-ion battery pack

That “1 kilowatt-hour” number tells you how much electricity the battery can store. A lithium-ion battery is the common rechargeable type used in most modern hybrids and EVs.

Term

0 to 60 times

This is a simple test of how fast the car can go from standing still to 60 mph. Faster times usually mean quicker acceleration, but it’s not the only thing that matters.

Concept

electric only

In “electric only” mode, the car moves using electricity from the battery instead of the engine. You usually feel this most at slow speeds or gentle driving.

Concept

Stellantis strength

The host is referencing a brand-level reputation issue by saying reliability hasn’t been a “strength” for Stellantis recently. This is a qualitative claim about how the company’s vehicles have performed in the real world, not a specific technical specification.

Term

wheelbase

Wheelbase is the distance between the front and rear wheels. A longer wheelbase usually helps the car feel more stable and comfortable.

Term

20-inch wheels

“20-inch wheels” means the wheels are pretty large. Larger wheels can change how smooth the ride feels over bumps.

Car

Renault Wind

The Renault Wind is a small car designed to feel more open and fun to drive than a typical closed-roof vehicle. The podcast is saying it doesn’t create much wind noise, so the ride can feel quieter and more comfortable.

Term

towing is rated up to 3,500 pounds

That number is the maximum trailer weight the vehicle is allowed to pull. Staying under it helps keep towing safe and within the car’s design limits.

Term

ground clearance

Ground clearance is how much space there is between the bottom of the car and the ground. More clearance can help on rough roads and obstacles.

Term

regenerative braking

Regenerative braking is how a hybrid slows down while also recharging the battery. Instead of using only the brake pads, the car uses the motor to help slow you down.

Term

ADAS

ADAS is the car’s set of safety helpers—systems that watch the road and assist you. Here they mention features like blind spot alerts, keeping you centered in your lane, and cruise control that can adjust speed.

Term

supercruise

Super Cruise is a high-end driver-assistance feature that can help the car drive more on its own on highways. The host is saying the Cherokee’s system is good, but not as capable.

Term

blind spot warning

Blind spot warning is a feature that alerts you if there’s a car in your blind spot. It helps you avoid pulling into another vehicle’s lane.

Term

lane centering

Lane centering is when the car helps steer so you stay near the middle of your lane. It’s meant to make highway driving less tiring.

Term

adaptive cruise

Adaptive cruise control is cruise control that can react to traffic. It helps keep a safe distance from the car in front by slowing down and speeding up as needed.

Term

EPA rated range

EPA rated range is the distance an EPA test cycle estimates the vehicle can travel before needing to refuel or recharge. In hybrids, it’s often expressed in miles per gallon (MPG) and/or an estimated electric-only or combined range depending on the vehicle’s setup.

Car

Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson is mentioned as a rival hybrid SUV. They’re comparing how efficient the Cherokee is compared with the Tucson.

Car

Kia Sportage

The Kia Sportage is another SUV they compare against for fuel economy. The point is to see how the Cherokee measures up to other popular choices.

Car

Toyota RAV4

The Toyota RAV4 is the comparison point they say is more efficient. They’re claiming the Cherokee gets about five MPG less than the RAV4.

Term

underbody protection

Underbody protection is the protective covering under the car that helps shield it from rocks and impacts. If it’s minimal, the underside is more likely to get damaged on rough trails.

Term

forward-facing camera

A forward-facing camera shows what’s in front of the car on a screen. It can help you spot obstacles when you’re driving on uneven roads or trails.

Term

All-terrain tires

All-terrain tires are made to handle both regular roads and rougher surfaces like dirt or gravel. They usually aren’t as fuel-efficient as regular highway tires.

Term

Uconnect 5

Uconnect 5 is the Jeep’s main screen system for things like maps, music, and connected features. The host likes how the screen looks and responds, but doesn’t like the ads.

Term

12.3 inch display

A 12.3-inch display refers to the size of the infotainment/touchscreen area used for the vehicle’s digital interface. Larger screens can improve readability for maps and settings, but usability also depends on resolution and software responsiveness.

Term

over-the-air updates

Over-the-air updates are software updates that download to your car wirelessly. That means you may not need to go to a dealership just to get fixes or new features.

Term

automatic SOS calls

Automatic SOS calls are emergency calls the car can place for you if something serious happens. It’s meant to get help to you faster, even if you can’t call yourself.

Term

charge pad

A charge pad is a spot in the car where you can set your phone to charge it wirelessly. The host likes where it’s located because the phone doesn’t have to be visible.

Term

Android Auto

Android Auto lets you connect your Android phone to the car and use certain apps on the car’s screen. It’s mainly for navigation, music, and calls.

Term

Apple CarPlay

Apple CarPlay connects your iPhone to the car so you can use apps on the car’s screen. It’s usually for maps, music, and calling.

Term

heated seats

Heated seats are seats with built-in warming elements. Here, the host says the rear outboard seats can be optioned with heat.

Term

outboard positions

Outboard positions means the left and right seats in the row, not the middle seat. The heated-seat option is for those outer seats.

Term

rear axle

The rear axle is the connection that drives the rear wheels. The host mentions it to explain where the power is going and why the back floor has that raised area.

Car

Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a bigger Jeep SUV. The host is using it to explain that the newer Cherokee is getting unusually large.

Term

break-over angle

Break-over angle is how well a vehicle can go over a bump or dip without the bottom scraping. If that angle is smaller, the car is more likely to hit the ground on rough trails.

Car

Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester is another popular SUV. The host is comparing its look to the Jeep Cherokee’s design, saying the Jeep’s styling feels cleaner.

Car

Volkswagen Jetta Alltrack

The Volkswagen Jetta Alltrack is a Jetta variant with a more wagon-like, rugged look. The host is using it as a visual reference for how the Cherokee’s new styling is more upright and squared off.

Term

cubic feet

Cubic feet is a way to measure volume—basically how much space there is. Here it’s used to compare how much luggage the Cherokee can hold versus other SUVs.

Term

cargo space

Cargo space is how much stuff you can fit in the back of the SUV. The host is comparing how much room the Cherokee has versus competitors, and saying you can gain more space by taking out the floor panel.

Car

Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V is another popular SUV that competes with the Jeep Cherokee. The host is comparing cargo space and saying the CR-V has more room.

Term

load floor

The load floor is the floor panel in the trunk area. If you remove it, you usually get more room underneath and can fit larger items more easily.

Term

temporary compact

A temporary spare is a smaller spare tire meant just to get you to a shop. It’s not meant for long trips or high speeds, and it saves space compared to a full-size spare.

Term

automatic parking

Automatic parking is a driver-assistance feature that helps steer the vehicle into a parking spot, typically using sensors and the vehicle’s control systems. The host implies it’s effective enough to make a separate video.

Car

2026 Jeep Cherokee

The 2026 Jeep Cherokee is a compact SUV, and this version uses a hybrid system. The host says it drives smoothly and is practical for everyday family use.

LIVE

There's an all-new Jeep Cherokee.

It's a hybrid now if you haven't heard, and I'm giving you the whole story on-road, off-road,

and I won't waste your time, okay?

I think you'll like the photography, too.

I try really hard.

Ah, the great outdoors.

Those wanting to explore it in a new Jeep Cherokee would find, if they visited a Jeep showroom

in the last few years, there were none.

It's been missing in action since 2023.

That wrong has been righted.

Cherokee is back.

Generation 6 gets hip to be square-fashioned.

The original XJ wore so well.

It's the biggest Cherokee yet, so it'll get the clan to the campground in comfort.

And just in time for skyrocketing gas prices, this is a hybrid.

And it's not an option.

It's standard.

Cherokee is built on Stellantis' very versatile STLA large platform.

How versatile is Stella?

Well, consider it also underpins Dodge Charger and the upcoming Jeep Recon.

Very different vehicles, gas, hybrid, and pure EV.

Cherokee's pricing begins at $37,000, including destination and standard all-wheel drive.

I'm testing a top trim overland pretty much fully loaded.

This one stickers for 46 grand.

At first, those numbers might seem higher than competitors, but Jeep has various incentives

that cannot the price down.

Plus, Cherokee, that's bolted together in Toluca, Mexico,

offers features the other stout, like a digital rear-view mirror.

And anecdotally, the demand for RAV4 and CRV hybrids means dealers are

adjusting pricing accordingly.

The real world can be a cold, cruel place.

Other hybrids fighting for your hard-earned cash include Hyundai Tucson,

Kia Sportage, Subaru Forester, Mazda CX-50, and waiting in the wings, the Nissan Rogue E-Power.

The hood release on nearly every vehicle I've ever profiled feels cheap and wonky,

including luxury brands, so kind of surprised that Cherokee has this.

Nice, better than a Mercedes.

What you're looking at here is a 177 horsepower, 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder.

That's assisted by a pair of electric motors.

Total output is 210 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque to haul around this 4,300-pound machine.

Generally, there's no sound when firing up.

The transmission is an ECVT.

Some people don't like rotary selectors, but a delivery driver enlightened me on the positives.

It's easy to flick into drive and a cinch to throw it back into park.

Have to admit, he's right.

There are no paddles to adjust regen drag.

There are the requisite drive modes that Jeep calls select terrain, and there's a low gear setting.

The underbody gets minimal protection.

Let's assume the inevitable Trailhawk version will rectify that.

Unlike the Toyota hybrid system with electric motors that drive the back wheels, Jeep uses a shaft.

It can disconnect to improve fuel economy.

Also back here on the passenger side is the 1 kilowatt hour lithium-ion battery pack.

It looks to be well protected in case Cherokee ventures into harm's way.

There are extra gauges to call up.

These could be helpful.

Shoppers in this segment aren't going to be overly concerned with 0 to 60 times,

but I can tell you that Cherokee does that dash in just over eight seconds, which is fine.

The hybrid system has the classic dynamic.

Creep along at slow speeds, and it's electric only.

Now, when you put your foot into it hard, everything fires up.

Continue to push it hard, and everything is smooth.

The dynamic of this system is quite good.

I will give Toyota the edge here because, you know, Toyota, they're the hybrid kings.

Jeep claims well over 2 million miles of testing in extreme environments.

Fingers crossed it has reliability sorted out that has not been a Stellantis strength of late.

Cherokee has a longer wheelbase, which helps to make this rig pretty darn comfortable,

even with the 20-inch wheels that this one is wearing.

On the straights, it's locked down.

This could be a good road tripper, and it's fairly quiet,

considering this is an SUV with a blocky shape.

Not a lot of wind noise coming off anything.

Cherokee can handle a small trailer or camper.

Towing is rated up to 3,500 pounds.

Visibility is better than most.

The windows are on the large side for a modern vehicle.

There's eight inches of ground clearance and a higher seating position.

It's what people want these days.

But that doesn't mean that Cherokee is tippy when you push it harder into a corner.

I actually really like the driving dynamics.

Nicely done.

Not a lot of steering feel, but it's an SUV.

The pedal modulation when you're going from regenerative braking to the actual physical brakes

is nice and smooth.

Never lumpy.

Take a bow, Stellantis engineers.

I'll get to the interface in a minute,

but this does have voice commands that don't require a data plan.

These help to keep your eyes on the road.

Hey Jeep, my hands are cold.

It turned up the temperature, not the heated steering wheel.

Okay, need some work.

The active electronic safety tech or ADAS is solid for the class,

but nothing like supercruise.

Blind spot warning, lane centering and adaptive cruise help keep the Jeep on the road

until you intentionally point it to the trails.

Fuel economy.

The EPA rated range of this is 37 miles per gallon,

which is certainly better than the outgoing version at 24.

So this is just a smidge better than the rated range of say Tucson and Sportage,

about the same as CR-V hybrid, but five less than Toyota RAV4.

Notice there's no trail rated badging, not for now at least, but let's face it,

we all know friends, families and neighbors that have bought way too much SUV

for the kinds of off-roading they'll be doing, and by that I mean little to none.

Maybe a dirt road, occasionally.

This is a classic Forest Service road and I think they've graded it since I've been up here last.

It seems smoother than usual.

If Cherokee owners are being really honest with themselves, this is all they really need.

Eight inches ground clearance handles this just fine.

Not a lot of underbody protection, so I wouldn't want to go rock crawling in this.

Maybe wait for the trail hop.

The forward-facing camera is nice to have since underbody protection isn't significant.

Jeep and Subaru are often held up as the brand's most likely to go off pavement.

All-terrain tires would go a long way to make this more capable, but it would lower fuel economy.

Inside, which is what you stare at the most, is more Chrysler sleek than Jeep chunky.

It feels like Cherokee's mission is more J-Crew urban than REI outdoorsy.

It's a pleasant space that's less plasticky than RAV4 and roomier too.

There are interesting textures and look, the stitching isn't fake.

The chairs will take good care of back sides being heated and vented, plus a toasty wheel.

I remember when all of these things were Mercedes-grade things.

Electric door releases are too recessed for my hands, I need to can't my wrists to push them.

The gauge screen can be switched up, a real advantage to displays over analog gauges.

That brings me to the latest Uconnect 5 interface.

I like this design other than the ads that pop up.

The sharp 12.3 inch display isn't too big or small, graphics are clear, responses quick enough so you won't think about it.

The Connect 1 services package gives 10 years of complimentary data for basic stuff like over-the-air updates,

support for the Jeep smartphone app and automatic SOS calls, and there's an upgrade path for more features.

Very few hard controls though, a trend I do not like.

The haptic surfaces are fine, buttons are better.

Plenty of places for phones, the charge pad is in a great location with the device out of sight and out of mind,

but still easy to use with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay projection.

There are an average number of storage slots, and they're average in size.

Door pockets, those are kind of shallow.

I do like the sunglasses garage, all cars should have one of these.

I have this seat set for a comfortable driving position, I'm 5'9", and you know what?

This back seat works.

Headroom is generous, so is knee, leg and footroom.

My Levi's inseam is 32 inches.

The cushions are high and long enough so thigh support is good, and door openings are pretty wide.

My size 11's go in and out, no problem.

Storage in the door is fine, but it really bugs me that Jeep of all brands doesn't put a pocket on the driver's seat back.

Come on, Jeep.

I wouldn't expect a separate climate zone in a Cherokee, at least there are adjustable vents,

and as optioned, heated seats for the outboard positions.

Win.

Power?

Plenty of options to charge electronics.

The interior is dark, the big glass roof really lightens the mood.

You want cup holders?

These are the only ones in the back seat.

There is a drive shaft running to the rear axle, this spine isn't very intrusive though.

Two full grown adults should be happy back here, if you have three.

Well, hopefully they're on the thinner side.

Overall, this is a very useful space.

I just wish there was a pocket on that seat back.

Let's dive into design by going down memory lane.

There's a lot of chatter about this bringing back the vibe of the XJ.

I just happened to run into this time traveler.

Obviously, the new one is much bigger.

In fact, it's even larger than the original Grand Cherokee by 11 inches in length, 6 inches in width,

and nearly the same size as my favorite Grand Cherokee, the fourth generation WK2,

that began production in 2010.

The wheelbase, that's some 6 inches longer than the outgoing Cherokee, is great for comfort,

but it could be a detriment to off-roading since it reduces break-over angle.

This is far from a retro design.

The clean, crisp lines and restrained cladding are refreshing,

especially compared to Subaru Forester.

And hear me out, this vehicle reminds me less of the XJ

and more of the Volkswagen Jetta all-track from a decade ago.

Just lift it and square it off.

Argue amongst yourselves.

Measured in cubic feet, the Cherokee's cargo space is at a disadvantage to say RAV4 and CRV,

but the Jeep's space is square and sometimes numbers lie.

The Jeep is down by three to six cubic feet compared to the Toyota and Honda hybrids,

even though the Cherokee's exterior dimensions are larger.

And yet, it easily ties the competitors swallowing up nine packs of the two-ply.

Removing the load floor would create even more space.

No spare, something all Jeeps should have.

A temporary compact is a $500 factory option, I'd shop tire rack for that.

Slots can be used to divide this space, the panel stays open for easy access.

Power and bag hooks are cheapy things.

It's quite a reach in, best to go to the rear doors to drop the backs.

This opens up 68 cubic feet of storage, again smaller than its main competition by the numbers,

but the square shape probably takes on the same amount of kit.

Stellantis products place the power hatch button here, a better location for petite drivers.

This car is equipped with automatic parking.

I'm going to do a separate video on it, darned if it doesn't work great.

Now, you may not need this, but people who can't parallel park, they might.

Summing up the 2026 Jeep Cherokee, I like the look inside and out, it gets a lot of compliments.

The size is just right, it's not too big, but it'll still do a family of four proud.

It's a very useful vehicle, the hybrid system is smooth, and the driving dynamics are crisp, but never harsh.

Negatives? Well, this is a Jeep, and really the off-road trail-hot version needs to come to market soon.

Also being a Jeep, a spare tire should be standard.

This is a hybrid, and the fuel economy is pretty good, but not as lofty as RAV4.

And Stellantis is not exactly on the top of the heap when it comes to reliability.

You know, if the engineers have worked the kinks out, this could be a very successful vehicle.

I don't get back to you one of my followers will, this is a great community, you'll see.

That's Driven. I'm Tom Volk.

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15:41

2026 Jeep Cherokee Is Back... as a Hybrid

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