2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee review

2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Review 

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a two-row midsize SUV that stands out for combining utility, comfort, and off-road performance better than most SUVs, thanks to its available low-range gearing, height-adjustable air suspension, and an electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential. It’s roomy and comfortable for daily driving but tough enough to handle rough trails. You can choose between two engines, and for those who need extra space, the three-row Grand Cherokee L is also available, but reviewed separately.

There are several notable changes to the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The outside has received a face-lift, though you'd be hard-pressed to spot the differences. Inside, a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen (up from 10.1 inches) is available on Laredo Altitude trims and higher. Finally, an all-new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (324 horsepower, 332 lb-ft of torque) comes standard on Laredo Altitude 4x2 and higher. The new engine, nicknamed the "Hurricane 4," is notable for producing more power and torque than the standard V6 engine while getting slightly better fuel economy. 

• Technology

• Comfort

• Cargo and storage

• Ease of use

• Driving

What tech does the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?

Connectivity

Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ functionality come standard on the Grand Cherokee. You also get ample USB ports, wireless charging, a digital key, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot (requires a data plan subscription).

Infotainment

If you like having lots of screens, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit has you covered. It comes with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch central touchscreen, and a 10.25-inch passenger display. Entry-level models have a smaller 8.4-inch touchscreen. In general, Edmunds' testers found the screen's resolution to be sharp and easy to read. 

The software running everything is Jeep's Uconnect® 5, which Edmunds' testers found a bit tricky to use at first. Additionally, they noticed that the driver's gauge cluster would frequently flicker between menus, temporarily hiding the vehicle's speed. It's worth taking a look at whether the gauges flicker like this during your test drive to see if this is an issue for you, too. 

Driver-Assist Tech

Standard driver aids on the Jeep Grand Cherokee include adaptive cruise control, which maintains a set distance from the car ahead, and lane-keeping assistance, which helps steer the Grand Cherokee back into its lane if it starts to drift. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning, also standard, let you know if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or when reversing. Forward collision mitigation, another standard aid, warns you about possible collisions and can apply the brakes in some situations. Finally, standard rear parking sensors with automatic braking can alert you to obstacles behind the vehicle when backing out of a parking space and can apply the brakes to help prevent a collision. Hands-free driving assistance is also available on the Grand Cherokee's top trim levels.

Edmunds' testers reported that all the driver aids worked well and didn't have any of the issues sometimes associated with this tech, such as overly aggressive braking, false alarms, or twitchy steering.

How comfortable is the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee? 

Front Seating

Edmunds' testers thought the front seats were reasonably comfortable and offered the usual set of adjustments. However, there was no way to adjust lateral or thigh support. The seat cushions felt a bit firm, but both armrests had enough padding. The Summit model comes with diamond-stitched leather, which looks nice, but the material is firm and not very cushioned, so the front seats are just average in comfort. There is plenty of headroom and legroom up front, and the Edmunds test driver could sit comfortably behind his own adjusted seat.

Heated front seats come standard on the rear-wheel-drive Laredo X and all higher trims. If you want ventilated seats, you'll need to choose the four-wheel-drive Limited Reserve or a higher trim.

Rear Seating

The second row is much the same, with seats that feel a little flatter and have less padding. While they aren't uncomfortable, they don't really stand out. Still, adults will be fine on longer trips because there's plenty of rear headroom.

Ride Quality and Interior Noise

The Edmunds test team had mixed feelings about the height-adjustable air suspension on their Grand Cherokee Summit test vehicle. Some thought it was a nice feature, but one editor felt it made the ride floaty and kept the car moving too much. It also had trouble smoothing out small bumps, though it handled bigger ones fairly well. The good news is that most Grand Cherokees have a regular non-adjustable suspension, and it provides an agreeable ride on most roads.

Past versions of the Grand Cherokee have scored well for low noise and vibration, but the version Edmunds tested with the Hurricane four-cylinder engine was pretty loud. In most situations, it almost sounds like a diesel and is quick to make itself heard while driving around town. If the noises were nicer, it might be easier to overlook. On the highway, though, road and wind noise are kept low. If you want a really quiet ride, you might want to consider a different engine.

Does the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee have good storage?

Cargo 

The Jeep Grand Cherokee offers 37.7 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 70.8 cubic feet with the second row folded. This makes it one of the roomiest midsize two-row SUVs, just behind the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. Still, the Honda manages to fit more cargo into a smaller footprint, while the VW has even more space but is also bigger overall.

Storage

Both the first and second rows offer plenty of storage space. The central cupholders are very large, which is great for big cups, but smaller items might slide around while driving. Edmunds' testers also liked that the central storage bins have flaps to keep your belongings out of sight when the car is parked.

How easy is the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee to use?

Entry, Exit, and Car Seats

The front doors open wide, and getting in and out of Grand Cherokee models without the air suspension should feel typical for an SUV this size. Edmunds' testers had mixed opinions about the air suspension fitted to their Summit trim test vehicle. Some found the SUV easy to enter and exit, but one tester said his kids struggled to get in, even at the lowest height, and it could be difficult for people with mobility challenges.

There are two sets of lower anchors on the outer seats and three top tethers for installing child seats. The wide door opening makes it easy to move a seat into the back, and the Jeep's roomy second row and tall roof help make the process even simpler.

Interior Layout and Visibility

All the controls work as you'd expect, but Edmunds' testers noticed a sluggish response time with every input. Sometimes they'd need to press things more than once to get a response, like with the cooled seats. The row of buttons above the main touchscreen felt low-budget as the touch-sensitive controls on the dash and center console don't offer any feedback. In other words, you're never sure if you pressed them unless you look at the dashboard. Even after a few days of driving, Edmunds' testers couldn’t get used to them. The only upside is the steering wheel buttons, which felt more intuitive and had a better response time. We recommend testing out the controls for yourself during a test drive to see if it’s a deal-breaker for you. 

Visibility overall was good, with the Grand Cherokee's large windows making it easy to see out of.

What’s the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee like to drive?

Driving

The 2026 Grand Cherokee offers a new 324-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, making it one of the most powerful engines in its class. So equipped, the Grand Cherokee can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. That's decently quick, but the engine doesn't deliver power smoothly. Accelerating can feel jerky at times and may make some passengers motion sick. A Grand Cherokee fitted with the standard V6 engine feels smoother, though it's slower. It accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 8.0 seconds in Edmunds' testing. 

Handling is also lackluster. The steering feels heavy, with the steering wheel requiring more effort to turn, and doesn't give you much feel for the road. In general, this is not an SUV you'll enjoy driving on tight, twisty roads. The traction control system can cut power too quickly during sudden moves, making the Jeep feel unpredictable.

Towing^†

With the new 2.0-liter engine, the Grand Cherokee leads its class in towing, handling up to 6,000 pounds. Most other competitors can only tow 5,000 pounds or less. V6-powered models can tow slightly more, at  6,200 pounds, which is solid compared to other vehicles in this class.

Fuel Economy/Electric Efficiency^†

The Grand Cherokee's new turbocharged four-cylinder engine gets up to an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in combined city/highway driving. This is slightly better fuel economy than what the 21-mpg Honda Passport is capable of, though not as efficient as the Subaru Outback that gets up to 27 mpg combined. Even so, with 324 horsepower, the Grand Cherokee is the most powerful SUV in its class. With the base V6 engine, the Grand Cherokee gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg combined.

EPA Fuel Economy Estimates^†