The Prius Prime is a car that can run partly on electricity and partly on gas, which helps save fuel and drive longer distances without using much gas.
The Jeep Cherokee is a type of SUV that is good for driving on rough roads. The new 2026 version will have a special engine that uses both gas and electricity to save fuel and drive farther.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a big car that can drive well on rough roads and is comfortable inside. The newest version has a new kind of engine that makes it work better and use fuel more wisely.
Electrification means cars are starting to use electricity instead of just gas to run. Some cars use both gas and electric power, called hybrids, and some use only electricity.
The Genesis GV60 is a fancy electric SUV that looks good and has lots of new technology. It runs on batteries and is made by a company known for making nice cars.
A four-cylinder engine is a type of car engine with four parts that burn fuel to make the car move. It's common in many cars and usually helps save gas.
The Hyundai Palisade is a medium-sized car that can fit many people and their things. It is known for being comfortable and having nice features for the price.
The Ford Explorer is a medium-sized car that can carry families and their stuff comfortably. It's popular because it drives nicely and has lots of room inside.
A mid-cycle refresh is when a car company makes small changes to a car while it's still being sold, like new lights or a different front look, to keep it looking fresh.
This is a type of engine with four cylinders and a turbocharger that helps it make more power. It's a new engine being used in this Jeep for the first time in the U.S.
Towing capacity tells you how much weight a car or truck can pull safely. If you want to pull a trailer or boat, you need a vehicle with enough towing capacity.
The Tesla Model Y is a small SUV that runs only on electricity, so it doesn't use gas. Many people like it because it can go far on one charge and has cool tech inside.
The Tesla Model 3 is an electric car that runs on batteries instead of gas. It's known for being fast, having a long driving range, and lots of cool tech inside.
The Ford Mustang is a famous fast car from America. The Mustang Mach-E is a new version that is an electric SUV, meaning it runs on batteries instead of gas.
The Kia EV9 is a new electric SUV that runs on batteries and is designed to be roomy and full of modern features. It's part of Kia's plan to make more electric cars.
Charging an EV means plugging it in to fill up its battery with electricity, like charging a phone. How easy and fast this happens depends on where you live and the charger type.
Hyundai Genesis was a fancy version of Hyundai cars that had more features and felt more comfortable. It later became its own separate brand for luxury cars.
The Toyota C-HR is a small SUV that is easy to drive in the city and looks different from other cars. It's good for people who want a small, practical car.
The Porsche 917 is a very fast race car from the past that won big races and could go super fast on the track. People still talk about it because it was one of the best race cars ever made.
The Ferrari 512 M is an old, very fast race car that competed against other famous cars in big races. People remember it because it was one of the fastest and most exciting cars on the track.
A mid-size SUV is a medium-sized car that can carry people and stuff, and sometimes can drive off-road. It's bigger than small SUVs but not as big as the biggest ones.
The Cherokee is a type of SUV that became popular in the 1980s because it could drive off-road but was also good for regular use. It helped make SUVs popular with many people.
The Dodge Journey is a medium-sized SUV that was popular because it was not too expensive and could carry families. However, it is older and not as modern as newer cars.
The Jeep Compass is a smaller SUV that is good for people who want a Jeep but don't need a big or very rough off-road car. It is comfortable for everyday driving.
A station wagon is a type of car that looks like a regular car but has a bigger back part to carry more stuff. They used to be very popular but now many people prefer SUVs instead.
LIVE
This is America On The Road, an Invest Radio show by the International Automotive Media
Conference, and now, and it's 33rd year on the air.
Thanks for being with us as we bring you the latest automotive information from around
the world.
I'm Jack Neerad.
With me is guest co-host Matt DiLorenzo.
Glad to have Matt with us.
Of course, he's been with us many times before.
Chris has snowed in today, so Matt's pinch hitting, and we're glad to have him.
Are you hitting the road soon on any kind of car event, Matt?
Yeah, well, not a car event, but tomorrow we're going to drive a Prius Prime up to
Santa Ionesa to visit some old friends.
Ah, wonderful.
That'll be a nice couple of days up there.
These days all our friends are old, aren't they?
Yes, they are.
Yeah, plenty of automotive news to talk about this week.
Jeep is reviving the Cherokee for 2026 with a fresh hybrid powertrain, promising 35,
I'm sorry, 37 miles per gallon, 500 miles range.
So we'll talk about driving that.
I also got to drive in the updated 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
It now has a fascinating new engine.
I can't wait to talk with you about this one, Matt.
324 horsepower, serious towing capabilities, so we'll talk about that coming up.
JD Power has announced its latest EV experience study, record high owner satisfaction, despite
slumping sales.
We'll see if EVs can move forward.
And we have an expert on that in Matt DeLorenzo to talk about that.
Matt, you're surprised by the engines in the new Cherokee and Grand Cherokee?
Yeah, you know, everybody's been focused on electrification.
And I think we're seeing some of these hybrids and things coming to the fore now.
So it's a growing trend, as they say.
Yeah, fascinating engines.
America on the Road is brought to you by drivingtoday.com, emlancy.com, the publisher of my latest book,
Only One Thing Stays the Same, and Mercury Insurance.
If you're looking to save some money, you should switch to Mercury for your auto and home insurance.
California is saving an average of $670 with Mercury.
So imagine how much you could save.
Get a quote today at drivingtoday.com slash auto insurance.
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Well, there's your longtime listeners of the show.
No, no, no. Matt is an author of several great books, including his latest, Mercedes-AMG racebred performance.
So we'll talk about that a little more coming up.
Matt, what is your test vehicle this week?
I'm driving the Volvo EX30 EV.
So after two years, it's finally out.
Yeah, I will be driving another EV, the Genesis GV60.
So stay with us for that.
We also have a great guest talking about the Jeep Cherokee.
So stay with us for all that, and we'll be right back right here on America On The Road.
Welcome back to America On The Road with guest host, Matt DiLorenzo.
This is Jacki Redback with you, and it is news time.
And news concerns some kind of mini road test this time around,
because I had a chance to test drive some brand new vehicles,
the 2026 Jeep Cherokee and the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The Cherokee is a midsize SUV revival, at least according to Jeep.
It's a midsize revival.
It has a new hybrid powertrain.
That's the only powertrain, by the way, enhanced capabilities.
I was among the first journalists to drive it.
The core is a 1.6 liter turbocharged four cylinder engine with hybrid power,
two electric motors and a battery, of course.
Can't run the electric motors without the battery.
210 horsepower, 230 pound feet of torque, 37 miles per gallon combined,
and over 500 miles of range.
It's kind of a fascinating take on powertrain.
What do you think, Matt?
Well, you see a lot of manufacturers going to hybrids to boost fuel economy.
And it's really interesting that there were a lot of naysayers saying,
well, they don't have to meet the emission requirements,
and they're going to fall back on ice engine only.
No, I think if you can deliver value in a form of more fuel economy,
manufacturers are going to do it.
So this is a natural response in just making their products better.
And to be quite frank, they have pretty stiff competition from everybody else
who's putting hybrids out there in SUVs.
Yeah.
I mean, it's just kind of baked in, I think, before we saw the changes
in the emissions regulations, of course, because they're building engines
and developing engines far in advance.
But it is interesting that this is all hybrid all the time.
And the driving was nice.
I mean, this hybrid does a lot of things to smooth out.
What could otherwise be a little kind of choppy with a four-cylinder engine.
But there's a lot going on under the hood here.
I mean, you have this four-cylinder engine and hybrid power.
I like the drive situation.
It felt good, felt strong, felt torquey.
But I'll have to see whether everybody wants a hybrid in this class of car.
It's going to add a lot to the cost.
You know, you're putting into two motors plus the batteries,
instead of just having a traditional gas engine,
which you do have in a transmission.
So, you know, but the thing is with the two motors,
it gives it all-wheel drive capability,
which is what people want and expect in SUVs.
Yeah, I don't know where this fits in.
It strikes me that the Cherokee has always been kind of a tweener there.
I mean, it's maybe a little bigger than the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4,
which are the traditional compacts and just hugely popular and big sellers.
And then Cherokee should fit in there somewhere,
but it is somewhere, I think, between there and, you know, the next size up.
I don't think it's a full midsize, like a Ford Explorer or a Hyundai Palisade
or something like that.
What's your take on that?
Yeah, it's slotted.
Actually, there are a couple of other tweeners in there.
If you look at the Kia Sorento and the Hyundai Santa Fe,
they're a little bit larger than the traditional compacts,
but not quite midsize.
And, you know, in those, you can get three-row seating,
but the third row really isn't particularly usable other than for little kids.
Yeah, this is a five-passenger.
It has 30% more cargo space than the prior model, which was not all that successful.
A lot of tech inside, a 10 and a quarter inch digital instrument cluster, 12.3 inch,
you connect infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
So we love that.
You connect is one of the best.
I think you would agree with that, Matt.
And, you know, a ton of safety gear as well, including pedestrian and cyclist detection
with the automatic emergency braking, intersection collision assist,
which is, you know, fairly rare in the segment.
And there's even active driving assist, kind of a hands-free for short periods of time.
So a lot of equipment, right?
Yeah, and I think what you have to do is look at the competition again,
especially the Koreans, they offer a wide range of these types of
features in their similar size.
You know, the question is going to be how much is it going to cost?
Yeah.
Well, I got that right at my fingertips.
$36,995 is the base and the overland, which is kind of the top, is up around $45,000, $46,000.
You can also option up a little higher than that.
So that's kind of stout for a vehicle of that size.
But again, it's kind of a tweener.
It's very competitive, I think.
Yeah.
And all hybrids, so you have to figure that in and it's going to save you some gas,
among other things.
Then there is the Grand Cherokee.
The biggest change in the Grand Cherokee, there's some external changes,
some fascia changes and headlights and that kind of stuff.
Things they do kind of mid-cycle, as they say in the industry.
But the big change is the 2-liter Hurricane 4 turbo four cylinder.
This is the first application of this power plant in the United States.
324 horsepower and 332 pound feet of torque is what it's quoted to produce.
That's a ton of horsepower per liter.
That's really doing some interesting stuff.
Ton of range, 529 miles per tank and a 6200 pound towing capacity.
So all that sounds good, doesn't it?
It does.
I mean, it's amazing what the type of output they can get from four cylinder engines these
days. It's literally astounding.
It's got a really fascinating kind of combustion.
It has what they call turbulent jet ignition, which uses two spark plugs.
It's kind of a pre-ignition thing.
I remember, I think in 1932, Nash also used twin ignition two spark plugs per cylinder.
So what is old is new again or something like that.
But kind of interesting, they're claiming a lot of efficiency out of this.
I mean, this is a small displacement engine for a vehicle of this size,
because this is certainly a big winner in the midsize segment.
I mean, what do you think about that?
Well, I think that that's the thing is that if we can deliver the power
and the performance that people expect, I don't think people are that hung up on cylinder count
anymore. Maybe in a full size truck, you may want to V8.
But I think when you get into more of these midsize vehicles,
people are open to four cylinder V6 and even V8.
So it's a great technology story.
Yeah. I'm kind of old school.
So I'm wondering about turbocharged engines pushing or pulling along these large size vehicles.
But that might indicate I'm an old guy, Matt.
A lot of good check in here, 12.3 inch infotainment screen, premium audio,
a lot of good stuff even in the base model, which is the Laredo.
And then you can take it up higher.
I think one of the things that Jeep has done recently,
and I talked to their executives about this is they've kind of repriced a lot of their stuff.
And I think they got a little full of themselves and premium priced their stuff,
maybe beyond where the market was looking at.
And they brought that down.
So I think that's important to know about.
Yeah, that's great.
You know, I think they were trying to position themselves as a premium to luxury brand.
And certainly their interiors reflect that.
But they're competing in the mainstream market, so they should be priced accordingly.
Yeah. Let's talk a little bit about this JD Power Electric Vehicle Experience Study.
It is interesting to me that topping the charts was the Tesla Model 3.
And close behind was the Model Y.
They're not necessarily vehicles that score well in terms of overall quality, quote unquote,
or a build quality, but their folks really like them.
They still really like them.
And that's on the luxury side.
On the mass market side, the Mustang Mach-E is the leader.
And then the Ioniq 6 from Hyundai.
And then EV9, what's your take on this?
Where is this all going?
Well, you know, I think there's two different issues here.
One is, are you ready to make the transition to an EV?
And there's a lot that goes into that decision.
Charging, where do you live, that type of thing, how much it's going to cost.
Once people get behind a wheel of EVs, they tend to like them a lot because of the smooth
operation. It's very effortless to drive.
If you have a way to recharge it, you don't have to go to the gas station.
So there are plenty of advantages to EV ownership.
It's just making the plunge and finding one that's quite frankly affordable.
And that's the struggle that EVs will have is affordability versus traditional drive trains.
Right. They will have going forward too.
Remind us of your test vehicle this week, Matt.
I drove an electric. It's a Volvo EV30 and it's their entry level model.
And I drove an electric too, the Genesis GV60 and SUV and all wheel drive trim.
So we'll talk about both of those when we come back.
Stay with us and we'll be right back.
I received a letter from the reader this week and I thought I'd share it with you.
Here's what he wrote.
I just got around to reading Dance in the Dark and wanted to say how much I enjoyed it.
I'm a compulsive reader and this one was right up my alley.
An unlikely hero.
A lot of twists and turns.
Some adult content and humor that rose naturally from the action.
Keep on writing and I'll keep on reading.
Of course, that's just the kind of letter any author would love to get.
I hope that others get the same enjoyment from reading Dance in the Dark
and my newest crime novel, Only One Thing Stays the Same.
Both are available exclusively at Amazon.com.
That's Dance in the Dark and Only One Thing Stays the Same.
Both written by me, Jack Arnie Ratt.
Thanks for looking for them today.
Welcome back everybody to America on the Road with Matt DeLorenzo,
Jack Neerad with you for Road Test Time.
And boy, we've got electric vehicles for you.
Some fascinating electric vehicles.
One's we've driven before but we're getting in a second bites out of the apple here
and you're driving the Volvo EX30 that you and I drove in and around Barcelona, Spain
years and years ago but it's now come to market.
Tell us about it.
Well, it's their entry level EV and one of the things that excited us about this vehicle
when we first were introduced to it over two years ago.
It was a fact that it was going to be about $35,000 off for about 220, 250 miles of range.
It was a great entry level vehicle.
Now that it's here because of tariffs and different things going on,
these vehicles now rather than coming from China come from Europe from Belgium and it costs more.
So this entry level single motor EV that I'm driving starts at over $38,000 and once you
add in delivery and a couple of other little things, it's over $40,000.
So if you were looking for an entry level car, it's like pushing the border,
you know, the Tesla Model 3 that we talked about earlier.
There are some versions of that that you can get in in the low 40s.
So it's kind of competing out of its original class and for what you get, it's still pretty good.
I mean, it drives wonderfully.
It has a great feel to it.
It's a single motor.
The range is about 230 maybe.
The thing that I don't like about it is they run everything through a center screen.
We've talked about this before, how manufacturers have over relied on touch screens for this is
case number one of that.
Yeah, this is the opinion of that, right?
And then you have to go to the screen to adjust the outside mirrors.
So, you know, I found that part of it.
It's very stark inside.
For $40,000, I expected a lot more.
Yeah, it's interesting.
I think probably at that price now as a luxury brand or certainly a premium brand,
maybe that's not too bad.
You know, I don't know that the market is going to flock to it, but
recently I was driving the Toyota CHR, the revival of that.
And I think that starts around $36,000, $37,000.
It's got a lot of horsepower actually.
I think over 300 horsepower if memory serves.
So, but it's of course a Toyota.
It's not a premium brand.
If we ever see a premium brand on Lexus, I imagine it'll be more expensive than the Volvo EX30.
But, you know, so that's context for it, I guess.
Well, and it's interesting because from the outside, it's a handsome vehicle.
It does carry the Volvo name and kind of the aura of a Volvo.
But once you get inside, especially the entry level model,
there aren't a lot of frills.
I mean, there's not much in the way of, you know,
interior accents or styling that's going on.
You have this screen, and then you have this steering wheel, and that's it.
And the screen, I mean, and then you have two stocks, you know,
a couple of little buttons on the steering wheel.
But everything is run through that center screen.
And I think if you have a Tesla, you'd be comfortable in this vehicle.
But if you're new to an EV and you're looking for some traditional controls or something that will
ease you into this brave new world, you're going to be sorely disappointed.
I took a neighbor out who was, she was pretty excited about the EX30.
But then when I showed her all the things that she had to go through just to either adjust mirrors
or change the one pedal driving mode, bunch of these other things, she was like,
well, I don't think I want to learn all that.
So yeah, it's interesting.
I mean, a lot of engineers will tell us, oh, people will get used to that.
People will be okay with that.
You know, they only have to adjust the mirrors once, you know, that kind of thing.
The fact of the matter is people don't want to relearn how to do a car,
how to make stuff work, right?
I mean, they kind of like discrete controls that they can reach over and grab without looking,
something you can't do with a touchscreen.
And, you know, this isn't a knock just to the EX30, but I, as you say,
this is kind of the epitome of that kind of style.
Yeah. And, you know, like one of the other things is speaking of that and digging through the menus is
the climate controls, just to turn the fan on and off, get the right temperature,
adjusting the heated seats, which is a nice feature to have.
You have as heated steering wheel, heated seats.
But it takes, you know, it's a distraction.
It's not something you can necessarily do on the fly while you're still driving.
Yeah. Yeah. It's a difficult one.
And refresh my memory as to pricing, what were you saying?
Well, this base model starts at about 38,000.
And then with delivery and all that other stuff, the sticker was over 40.
And then once you get into the range extended, you know, they have versions of these that will go
300 miles. You'll get all-wheel drive, two motors, stuff like that.
You're well into the $40,000, $44,000, $45,000 range.
So it's not an inexpensive buy for, it's a compact vehicle.
It's a compact hatchback. It's not a big SUV by any means.
Right. I mean, it purports to be an SUV, but it's an SUV in that it will carry some stuff.
And it's got a hatchback, but it's essentially a hatchback kind of vehicle, right?
And I think we both liked it when we drove it back in the day.
And you probably still like it, but it's the value.
From a driving perspective, it's a dream. It really drives well.
I mean, the steering is spot-on. The braking feels fine.
It offers you three levels of one-pedal driving, which is none.
Light, which I tried to light, and I came to like it.
And then they have a really heavy one where when you lift off the gas and the vehicle,
you feel the braking. So it's a very competent vehicle, good-looking,
and it's got all the safety stuff that Volvo is known for.
It's just that our expectations for it was for something that would be priced at least
$3,000 or $4,000 less than what it is. Yeah.
Well, talk about price. I don't want to lead with the conclusion here,
but I was driving the 2026 Genesis GV60 in performance all-wheel drive form.
And this is a vehicle that shares its platform with Hyundai and Kia models.
It does have dual motors. It does have, for 2026, an updated 84-kilowatt-hour battery.
So that's good. A ton of standard equipment in the interior of this vehicle, quite different
from the Volvo EX30 in that this is very opulent. At the same time, this is a small SUV
that is $73,000 in this trim. You're kind of swallowing your teeth.
Now, there's a lot to like about this vehicle. Maybe once you get past the paying for it part.
429 horsepower is standard, or you can get 483 and 516 pound-feet of torque when you go into boost
mode, which I'm not sure why you would go into boost mode very often in this thing,
because it's not a sports model in any way, shape, or form. All-wheel drive is standard.
So 252 miles of range, which is probably adequate. We've talked about that a lot on the show, and
you're an electric vehicle owner, too, and you know that the range number, you just have to deal
with the range number, right? And you can manage it and manage through 250 miles of range.
I think where this vehicle really shines in comparison to its cousins from
Kia and Hyundai is in the interior. I mean, this is an incredibly beautiful vehicle inside.
It also has some pretty cool stuff outside, electronically controlled suspension,
so the ride quality is good. But it isn't super agile. I think just weight is part of the issue here.
The all-wheel drive system does have electronic rear locking, but this is a vehicle that is fairly
small, but weighs close to 5,000 pounds, which is a lot. So it's fun to drive, but I wouldn't say
sporty. What's your overall take on this? You've certainly driven this vehicle.
I think I nailed it. I mean, it is a luxury vehicle, first and foremost. It's somewhere
between a compact and mid-size SUV, and I agree. The interior is absolutely stunning. I mean,
I think they have like that crystal shift knob, and it's really nice accents, and the leather
seats are very comfortable. It's a great environment to be in, and Genesis as a luxury brand is
starting to get established. So there's a lot of money to spend, but you're getting something
for it, and the brand is starting to come up to where this is the kind of vehicle that the
you do get a little bit of prestige with it. It's a super likable vehicle, and it's fast,
zero to 60 in 3.6 seconds. I mean, kind of faster than it needs to be, to tell you the truth. I'm
not quite sure about that. It has an amazing 27-inch display that goes all the way across the dashboard,
so that's cool. I mean, you sit in this thing, or you get into this thing, and you sniff the
nappa leather, and it's just good-looking all the way around. They really do a nice job with this.
It really is an appealing interior, as you say, with a lot of power stuff, including the
ergo motion front seat that massages you when it feels like it, when it feels like you need it.
And it has reasonable cargo space, but there are others in the class probably that have more.
It has a one cubic foot frunk, so you kind of wonder why they bother with that.
Infotainment is good. I mentioned the size of the touchscreen. It also has a 12.3-inch
digital instrument cluster, so all of that's good. This is such a likable vehicle. I just
trip over the price, your thoughts, man. It's a lot of money. It's a lot of money.
But I think that's the state of the art when it comes to EVs, especially in the luxury space.
If you're going to buy one, you're going to pay for that range. You're going to pay for everything
in there, so don't be surprised by the sticker price. Right, right. When we come back, we will
have Mike Cockle talking about the 2026 Jeep Cherokee. He is the product lead on that vehicle,
so a lot of great information about the new Jeep Cherokee coming up. Stay with us. We'll be right
back. I'd like to tell you about the most exciting and authentic racing novel I've ever read.
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Welcome back, everybody. Schumeric on the Road Tech, Iran with you. We are outside Malibu,
California, in the hills above Malibu, California, and getting the opportunity to drive a very
important vehicle for Jeep. With the expert on that vehicle, Mike Cockle is director of the Jeep
Cherokee Nameplate. Wow, what a cool title. That's cool. It is a cool title. Thank you.
And this is an important vehicle. Tell us about the all-new 2026 Cherokee. It is a super important
vehicle for us because we're returning to a segment that we created. The mid-size SUV,
SUV is really something that we have a storied history with. More than 50 years of a Cherokee name
with Jeep brand. So we're super excited to bring this vehicle to market. I'm excited about it too.
I have a little bit of a history with this too. When I joined Motor Trend Magazine in 1984,
our first long-term vehicle that I drove was a Cherokee. Nice. Yeah. And that was a Cherokee
that really kind of changed the industry, didn't it? It did. So in the early 80s, when we launched
that XJ Cherokee, that is really considered to be the originator of the SUV in a modern sense. So
yes, the unibody construction, four-wheel drive, of course, great cargo space and a nice upright
posture. And yeah, it could go anywhere and do anything. Really the epitome of Jeep. And a lot
of DNA from that vehicle is in the new one, isn't it? It is. So our design team just did a magnificent
job of taking the design cues from our previous generation Cherokees and applying them to our
2026 all-new Jeep Cherokee Turbo Hybrid. Yeah. Yeah. Well, there were a lot of things that people
liked about the previous Cherokee. And some things maybe that they thought fell short a little bit.
You got kind of outlined both of those for us this morning. Tell us a bit about that and how
you've been able to fix the things that maybe weren't quite where people wanted them to be.
Yep. So at Jeep, we really pride ourselves in listening to our customers, both our loyal
customers that are driving our product and taking a look at what's happening in the segments that
we participate in which we compete in. So one of the things our customers told us about our
previous generation Cherokee was they wanted more fuel economy, fuel efficiency. And so
we're delivering a hybrid powertrain system that offers 37 combined MPG and more than 500 miles of
range to a tank of gas. So we're checking that box that customers asked for an improvement on.
And you're not doing that optionally either. I mean, that is the powertrain, right? That is our
powertrain, four-wheel drive, of course, on everything, but our turbo hybrid engine,
yes, standard on all trims. That's a big move, isn't it? Yeah, it's a huge move for us. So
great fuel efficiency, as I mentioned, things that the segment's looking for,
things that our loyal customers were looking for. And so we're really pleased to be able to,
like I said, listen to the customer and then deliver on the attributes that they're asking us for.
Fuel economy was one of the things they were looking for. What are some of the other things
that they were trying to figure out? So fuel economy was a big one. They also said, hey,
look, we like the Cherokee, but we really would like a little more cargo space. And so our engineering
team went to work and we're delivering more than 30% improvement in cargo space in our all-new Jeep
Cherokee. And that's a big improvement, isn't it? That's a big improvement. Right. And it's something
like 30 cubic feet or something like that behind the rear seats. I mean, I do a lot of comparison
tests. That's a large amount. It's 33.6 and 68.3 with the seats folded down. So there's a lot of
room there. Yeah, absolutely. They asked for more safety features. And so safety is very important
for midsize UV and tenders. And so we have more than 140 standard and available safety features
on this vehicle. Active emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection. That's pretty
important. Intersection collision assist. We have level two. Which is pretty rare in this class.
It is. Yeah, it is. Yeah. So we have the safety box checked as well. We're really proud of that
suite of safety features. And the last thing was technology. So technology is really important.
We're offering a 12.3 inch touchscreen radio, a 10.25 inch color cluster. And as I mentioned a
moment ago, level two adaptive cruise control standard on every one of our cars. Yeah, that's
all across the board. That isn't on the up level model that is across the board. And I think that's
really important to people, isn't it? Yeah, it's very important. And so it's a value proposition.
Customers in the segment are looking for value. And so we wanted to proliferate that technology
across our price classes. Some competitors make you wait to price class three to get some of
that featured content that we're offering on all trims. Yeah, you connect five across the board,
which is a great infotainment system. Yes, are you connect five system across the board as well?
Yeah, yeah, good stuff. Good stuff. And essentially, you've simplified the lineup, I think, too. I mean,
a lot of times, consumers come to me and they're just confused. They don't know what to buy.
There's so many permutations and variations. You kind of simple that up, didn't you?
We did. So four trims, you know, a base Cherokee, a Laredo Cherokee, a Limited and an Overland. And
as I mentioned a moment ago, we have all that great featured content loaded up in our trims
from the base all the way through. And there are items that you're adding as you step up, of course,
as a good example. The dual pane sunroof. We're also offering 20 inch wheels on our premium
trims and a bunch of other content that makes that vehicle price and that walk makes sense. But
simplified lineup and content. Yeah, one powertrain and all wheel drive all the time,
that kind of makes it simpler, doesn't it? One powertrain with Liberty and Justice for
that's a yes. I like that. I like that. There are many things that previous Cherokee did well
that you just kind of emphasize here. Tell us a bit about those two. So capability is one of the
things that Jeep is known for. And so our old Cherokee, of course, part of the reason why people
purchase the vehicle was because it was capable, had great towing capability. The four wheel dry
system was fun to drive. And so their new Cherokee, we've incorporated that same Jeep DNA capability
in this all new Cherokee turbo hybrid. So we have best in class departure and break over angle.
We have up to 20 inches of water forwarding available. And we can tow up to 3,500 pounds,
which is unsurpassed in class. So we're really pleased with the level of capability our engineering
team is delivering for us. Yeah, yeah, very, very cool. And so this is a real Jeep too. I mean,
this is a very capable Jeep. Yes. And so if you go back in history, as we talked about earlier,
that's our DNA. It's a Jeep SUV that's capable. And so we're bringing that lineage forward. And
it's something that we're starting a new journey here with this vehicle. The old Cherokee, the
Cherokee name has been with us for more than 50 years. And this new Cherokee, we expect we'll
we're starting a journey on the next 50 years. Yeah, let's talk about the advantages of a hybrid
powertrain for offroading or just in general, right? I mean, there's a lot of advantages to an
all hybrid power. There is. So you're getting a nice torque split, you're getting additional
horsepower and torque as needed, smooth delivery, of course. And so yeah, that's
that's something that will help us when you're off road. And obviously, as we mentioned a few
moments ago, there's a lot of benefit from the fuel economy side. So we're able to balance that
need for efficiency and value in saving money at the at the gas station, having fewer trips,
but also being able to take this vehicle off road and enjoy your next adventure there as well.
Yeah, I never have to worry about fueling up. I mean, if you got 500 miles of range, you know,
that's that's terrific. And 37 miles per gallon fuel economy, I think something.
Yes, or 39 in the city, 35 on the highway. That's something to get used to, by the way,
it's usually the inverse. But with the hybrid, it's the opposite way around and 37 miles combined
with a 13.7 gallon tank. So it's simple math, it's a little over 500 miles of range. Yeah,
that's that's incredible. So you can go a long, long way, you know, or a couple of weeks, so you
know, around town driving and that kind of thing too. And it's critical this this vehicle also
be good around town, right? I mean, particularly in this segment, I think, but talk about that a
little bit, because I think he hit the mark. Yeah, so essentially, people in the midsize UV
segment are looking for efficiency, value, practicality, I like to say, which is ample
cargo space, and loads of safety features. And so this vehicle has to be a jack of all trades,
it has to be a Swiss Army knife. And we feel that we're delivering exactly that,
the ability to put your gear in. I think of soccer mom and hockey dad, or vice versa, hockey mom and
soccer dad, and small families, and the ability that 68.3 feet of cargo space to load up pretty
much anything you need for your next adventure. Put this vehicle in the context of the market
for our listeners, would you? And you know, kind of where it fits in where it fits in the
Jeep lineup, kind of where it fits in in the marketplace, because it might be a little
confusing. Yeah, sure. So we have our compass that is our entry into the Jeep brand and into
the Stellantis showroom. And so from compass, we have Cherokee now positioned and between and
after Cherokee, of course, is our grand Cherokee. So there's a certain viewpoint that we have that
customers are going to move from our compass, which is a subcompact vehicle, walk up into the
Cherokee as our lifestyle and circumstances change. They have a family. Sure. Here's a little
bit bigger vehicle with more cargo space. And maybe that family grows over the years. And so
they need to move into a grand Cherokee. And ultimately, we'd like to see them move to our
Grand Wagoneer as well. And the reverse happens as well, where maybe a grand Cherokee isn't the
size vehicle you need anymore, because you're an empty nester, your lifestyles change. So
here comes our great 37 MPG hybrid available for you to walk back down to. Yeah. Yeah. And
pricing pretty interesting here. I mean, you do well with price. Well, walk us through the price
walk because it's logical and I think there's a lot of value. Yep. So it's a 36.995 for our
base Cherokee that includes our destination fee. You walk up $3,000 to our Laredo price class,
which we feel is going to be our volume player. We feel that'll be the highest percentage of our
sales mix. Add another $2,000 and you're at our limited and picking up a bunch of great content,
by the way, as you walk through each of the steps. And then you're up to $44.995 for our
Overland Trim, which is our premium flagship. And that is loaded. So yeah, yeah, very luxurious.
So we think we've got the segment covered quite nicely from a pricing standpoint of
very competitive pricing, especially when you consider the feature content that we've added
across the board. Yeah. What's your favorite feature here? What do you think you really
hit a home run with? I'm really a huge fan of our Overland Trim and I'm going to bring up a
couple things because I can't just have one. Okay. I really enjoy bringing the outdoor feel in.
You can't, as I mentioned before previously, you can't take the roof off a Cherokee,
but you can get the next best thing to open air freedom with that dual pane sunroof. So
that really brightens up the whole inside of our wonderfully equipped vehicle. I love that.
Also love the 20 inch wheels that we have there. And just the technology pieces that
the cluster that I talked about and that 12.3 inch touchscreen radio really seal the deal.
Who's the buyer for this? I mean, it's a pretty broad ranging group, but
you've got to know who you're aiming this at, right? It is. And I mentioned jack of all trades and
Swiss army knife. It's every person. And so really we're targeting people that need a little bit
bigger car from moving up from a compact or the inverse, but people that are looking for
efficiency and value and everyone's looking for that. It's the vehicle size right for what I
need for my lifestyle. Does it have the content that I need? And is it priced in my price range?
And we feel like we've checked those boxes nicely across all of our trims with this all-new
Cherokee. Yeah. Are you amused by the fact that so many competitors are putting out vehicles that
are at least trying to look like off-road vehicles? Because there's a ton of them. I'm testing them
practically every week. And some of them are kind of fairly lame versions of an off-roader.
Yeah. And I don't, it is interesting that the way I look at it is nice to be a leader in the
segment and to have, you know, 85 years, which we have at Jeep, 85 years of off-road leadership,
you know, a storied history and an authenticity that to the point you're making right now,
some of these other folks don't have that authenticity or history. Yeah, far from it.
Yeah. That is our brand. That is our DNA. So it makes us, part of me is very proud of it and
part of me scoffsets some of that. Yeah. Well, and you back it up with the hardware too, don't you?
Yeah, we sure do. That capabilities in our DNA. Yeah. Very, very cool. Well, let's leave it at that.
What a great interview I've had with you. I appreciate it. And my cockle of Jeep talking
about the brand-new Cherokee for 2026. Thanks so much for being with us. We appreciate it.
Thanks for having me. Stay with us, everybody. We'll be right back right here on America on the Road.
Welcome back to America on the Road with Jeff's post, Matthew Lorenzo's exactly read with you.
It is listener question time, but before we get to that, I want to talk with you, Matt,
quickly about your newest book. Tell us about it. It's called Mercedes AMG Racebred Performance
from MotorBooks. You can find it on Amazon and BarnesandNoble.com. And it's about the origins
of Mercedes luxury performance division AMG, which has actually started as a tuner
in Germany back in the late 60s. And these two guys, these two engineers left the company and
started hot-riding Mercedes, and they were so successful that Mercedes turned around and
bought their company. So it's a great story and some great cars that they've built. Yeah,
fascinating story. Another great book from Matthew Lorenzo. So look for that. It's available now on
Amazon and other places. So look for that. And let's take this question from Thomas in Salem,
Oregon. Are station wagons making a comeback or is that just wishful thinking? Your thoughts?
I think it's wishful thinking. There still is a place. The Europeans still offer some station wagons.
They call them touring. But yeah, I think the SUV, the station wagon thing that's sailed since SUVs
pretty much occupy the space that station wagons do. And unless there's a big resurgence
in coup sedans, you're not going to see station wagons because that's essentially what they're
built off of. Yeah, station wagon is very popular still in Europe. I think in some other markets,
maybe more popular in Europe than SUVs, although SUVs have been making some gains there. But
boy, we as journalists love them. General public, not so much. Well, that wraps up our show for
this week. I'd like to remind you that my crime novel, only one thing stays the same, is available
in ebook and paperback form at Amazon. If you like our show, please pass it on. Listen on this radio
station each week. Let your friends know where you hear America on the road. And we'd love to
double our listenership. So pass it along. We're available as a podcast. So look for that. Our
thanks to Matt DiLorenzo for being with us. We really do appreciate that, Matt. Thanks for being
with us. Great being here, Jack. And we have a YouTube channel. So look for that. You can see
Matt and Matt's smiling face coming up. Our thanks to Mercury Insurance for sponsoring the show and
to our sports byline network stations for carrying it. Most of all, thanks to you for listening.
We do appreciate it. And we hope you join us again next time for another edition of America on the
Road. Hi, this is Jack The Red, host of America on the Road. I'd like to tell you about my book,
Dance in the Dark. It's a crime novel inspired by true crime. Many people have told me it is the
perfect follow up to fatal photographs. My true crime account of the notorious Hollywood bathing
suit model murder case. In Dance in the Dark, Jason Griffith is a rock and roll drummer turned
computer programmer who fears for his life. But he doesn't know why. After living a quiet life for
years, suddenly his girlfriend leaves him. He meets the most beautiful woman he has ever seen.
And within days, he's wanted for the murder of a drug cartel enforcer, a murder he didn't commit.
The cops think he did it though. And so does the boss of the cartel. So he's stuck between
the law and the mob with nowhere to turn. The only person who might be able to help him is the new
woman in his life. But will his stunning new companion be an asset or an enemy? And can he
escape the desperate situation he's trapped in? Dance in the Dark is available in paperback
and as a Kindle e-book at Amazon and at EM Lancy Publishers. Right now it's at a special low price
that will save you five bucks. That's Dance in the Dark by Jack Arnie Red. Thanks for checking it out.
About this episode
The discussion centers on the 2026 Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee, highlighting Jeep's shift to hybrid powertrains and innovative engines. The Cherokee returns as a midsize SUV with a 1.6L turbo hybrid delivering 210 hp and 37 mpg, emphasizing efficiency and tech features like a large digital cluster and advanced safety. The Grand Cherokee debuts a potent 2.0L turbo four-cylinder with 324 hp and impressive towing, showcasing modern combustion tech. The hosts also touch on JD Power's EV satisfaction study, noting strong owner approval despite sales challenges, and share insights on recent EV test drives including the Volvo EX30 and Genesis GV60.
This week on America on the Road, guest co-host Matt DeLorenzo joins Jack Nerad as they dive into Jack’s first-drive impressions of the revived 2026 Jeep Cherokee and updated 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Matt reviews the 2026 Volvo EX30, a punchy subcompact EV SUV with Scandinavian flair, while Jack road-tests the premium 2026 Genesis GV60 Performance, a luxury compact EV with vivid acceleration matched with luxury features. Plus, Jack sits down with Mike Cockell, Product Lead for the 2026 Jeep Cherokee, to discuss its all-new hybrid powertrain, off-road capabilities, and new pricing.
🚗 Jack Nerad Test-Drives the 2026 Genesis GV60 Performance
Jack evaluates the top-trim Genesis GV60, a luxury compact EV sharing its platform with Hyundai and Kia but elevated with premium touches. Dual motors deliver 429 horsepower (or 483 horsepower in Boost Mode), all-wheel drive, and a 252-mile EPA range, with fast-charging from 10-80% in about 18 minutes. The interior boasts Nappa leather, a massive 27-inch display, Ergo Motion seats, and advanced safety tech like blind-spot avoidance and highway driving assist. Jack covers handling, cabin comfort, infotainment, and value starting at $73,370, noting its refined ride but snug cargo space compared to rivals.
🚙 Matt DeLorenzo Test-Drives the 2026 Volvo EX30
Matt takes on Volvo’s newest subcompact EV SUV, combining minimalist design with a maximum of 422 horsepower, 400 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.3-second 0-60 mph sprint. It offers a 253-mile range, 153 kW fast-charging, and seating for five in a compact package with Google-integrated infotainment and advanced driver aids. Matt discusses its tech-rich cabin, towing up to 2,000 lbs, and how it stacks up as an accessible, performance-oriented option in the small EV segment.
🎙️ Special Guest Interview
Jack chats with Mike Cockell, director of small Jeep vehicles at Stellantis and director of the Jeep Cherokee nameplate. They dive deeply into the revived midsize SUV with a new hybrid powertrain delivering 210 horsepower, 37 mpg, and over 500 miles of range. And they discuss off-road features like Cherokee’s heritage, all-around capability, and enhanced safety.
📰 This Week’s Headlines
Jeep Revives the 2026 Cherokee
Jeep brings back the midsize SUV with a boxier design, hybrid powertrain, increased cargo space, Uconnect 5 tech, and strong off-road prowess, including eight inches of ground clearance. Production starts in Mexico, with arrivals late this year. Stellantis counts on it to lead a U.S. sales turnaround for the Jeep brand.
2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Gets Brand-New Hurricane Engine
The updated Grand Cherokee features a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder with 324 horsepower, 6,200-lb towing, and refreshed styling. Trims simplify to Laredo, Limited, and Summit, with options like air suspension and McIntosh audio. Its Hurricane four-cylinder engine might expand to other models like the Cherokee in the future.
J.D. Power EV Experience Study Hits Record Highs
BEV owner satisfaction reaches new peaks at 786 (premium) and 727 (mass market), led by Tesla Model 3 (804) and Ford Mustang Mach-E (760). Public charging improves, but the sales slump post-tax credits raises questions on market rebound. The study shows 96% of owners would consider another EV, highlighting improvements in battery tech and infrastructure.
White House Exempts Autos from 10% Global Tariff
Passenger vehicles and parts are spared from the new levy, easing pressure on automakers amid ongoing steel/aluminum duties. Industry groups welcome the move but note persistent policy challenges. The temporary 150-day 10% import duty effective February 24 exempts autos to address U.S. economy needs.
📩 Listener Question of the Week
Thomas from Salem, Oregon, asks: “Are station wagons making a comeback, or is that just wishful thinking?”
Jack and Matt discuss the resurgence of wagon-like vehicles through crossovers and all-terrain models, weighing nostalgia against modern SUV dominance.
🎧 America on the Road is named Best Radio Show by the International Automotive Media Conference and is now in its 33rd year on the air.
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you listen.
📚 Jack Nerad’s New Book
Jack’s crime novel, Only One Thing Stays the Same, is available now in paperback and eBook on Amazon — currently at a post-Christmas sale price.
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