2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee First Drive: A New Engine, More Power and … More for the Money?
We always love a great car and a good deal, but more power for the money, too?
If you asked me what I would hope for in a redesigned Jeep Grand Cherokee, I’d probably say … in fact, I think I did say… nothing. Keep it the same. It was redesigned not all that long ago; Jeep finally added a 3rd row that’s spacious, easy to access and has some smart features. It’s a very capable SUV for all the SUV things we need to do and it manages people and cargo quite well. You can go basic and still get some nice features, like a multimedia touch screen with voice activation, four-wheel drive (for $2,000) and that 3rd row if you want it on all trims (also a $2,000 addition).
Even the entry-level model is nicely outfitted with what we expect from Jeep, and the middle of the lineup offers nice features like leatherette, captain’s chairs, a sunroof and an upgraded sound system. Or you can go all in on an SUV that is luxury on the inside—with a front passenger’s screen, rear entertainment system and massaging seats—but still a rugged workhorse underneath it all.
So for the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee, rather than redesign this already lovely SUV, Jeep decided give its owners more for the money, including a new, more powerful engine option, just to stir things up a bit.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. Additionally, I was Jeep’s guest for this test drive, but all opinions are my own.
The Big Jeep News: Grand Cherokee is Going Hurricane
I don’t usually start my new car reviews with the engine, but that’s the real story here: more power in the upper trim levels. However, if you’re a die-hard V6 fan and just love the Pentastar engine that produces 293 HP and 260 pound-feet of torque and has powered the Grand Cherokee in the past, you’re in luck: Jeep isn’t taking it away. It’s available in the Laredo and Laredo X models, which also happen to be the most affordable Grand Cherokee models.
But if you want a Hurricane under the hood, the newest engine technology from Jeep parent company Stellantis, which is also found in the Grand Wagoneer and Ram trucks, this is the way to go. The Hurricane that powers the Jeep Grand Cherokee is a 4-cylinder turbo that generates 324 HP and 332 pound-feet of torque, giving it just that little extra jolt of juice to do all the Jeep things even better.
For my test drive, I hopped into the Grand Cherokee L and toured around Southern California for the day, taking it up into the mountains and down to the beach, winding along twisty roads and letting the adaptive cruise system do its thing in the city.
What the Hurricane-Powered Jeep Grand Cherokee Is Like to Drive
It was great. The engine was quiet and confident, and despite being powered by a 4-cylinder engine, it didn’t feel as if it were straining when I pressed the accelerator—even in the longer and heavier L edition. It delivered plenty of power when merging onto the highway and climbed some pretty steep hills with ease.
Maybe the nicest thing is that I didn’t feel the engine at all. Typically, in large SUVs, you feel the engine. It’s big and it can be loud. You feel it kick back before it delivers its power; you feel the rumble of it under your seat. The Hurricane engine delivered none of that. Just easy, lovely gliding along the curves of the Santa Monica Mountains.
Even with a 3rd row in tow, this new 4-cylinder engine was completely capable. This is something I can be a stickler about; there’s nothing worse than loading up your new SUV with kids, their car seats, another adult or two, your gear and maybe a roof-top box, and then fearing for your life merging onto the highway. I didn’t feel that here, thanks to the ample torque and horsepower.
More Good Stuff and More For the Money
For 2026, Jeep is staging a “reset.” The goal is to deliver more of what Jeep fans love by simplifying things; with fewer trims that simply include the things people want, Jeep can deliver more with each model and also simplify pricing.
We drove the Summit edition and I was pretty shocked to find that this 3-row SUV with quilted leather, heated, vented and massaging front seats, with rear captains chairs and a clever fixed center console, with the full multimedia package and a passenger’s side screen, head up display and a panoramic sunroof was only $67,000, everything included, even the destination charge. It felt much more luxe than the price would indicate.
What This Car Costs
Buyers do have some choices here: two-wheel drive or 4; 5 passenger or 7 (6 with captain’s chairs), and how much luxury is really necessary. There are 3 trims: Laredo, Limited and Summit, and within each trim, some package options. Here’s how the new trim lineup breaks down and what you get for the money:
- Laredo, priced at $38,145, includes 18” wheels, cloth seats, a V6 engine that generates 293 HP and 260 pound feet of torque, an 8.4” touchscreen, an adaptive cruise and lane management system, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- The Laredo X package adds a sunroof, heated front seats and steering wheel, power lift gate, wireless charger and a household outlet for $2,495
- Laredo Altitude $43,855 adds the 4 cylinder turbo Hurricane engine, 12.3” multimedia touchscreen, leatherette seats and active drive assist; a sunroof can be added for $500
- Limited, which starts at $43,815, adds 20” wheels, premium Alpine audio, heated rear seats, fog lights and auto high beam headlights; a panoramic sunroof can be added for $1,595
- The Limited Altitude package is an additional $2,695 and adds gloss black accents and the panoramic sunroof
- The Limited Reserve package is $7,595 and adds 4WD, Nappa leather seats, heated and vented front seats, digital rear view mirror, dark wheels and body colored lower cladding
- The Summit edition is $60,195 and adds 21” wheels, a black roof, Palermo leather seats, 12-way power front seats, a front passenger screen, a premium McIntosh sound system, adaptive air suspension; it also includes 4WD standard
- The long wheel base with 3rd row adds $2000
- 4WD added to Laredo, Laredo X and Laredo Altitude is $2,000
- Destination charge is $1,995
What We Loved
There’s so much to love in this SUV aside from the more-for-the-money reset and the new, more powerful engine; that includes:
- The 3rd row is spacious and comfortable, and has slide-and-tilt seats that allow 3rd row access even with a child car seat installed
- A fam-cam that allows you to see all rear seat passengers and zoom in on a seat, though it’s only in Limited Reserve and Summit editions
- Leatherette or leather seating in all but the base Laredo and Laredo X models
- The 4WD system is proven and capable
- The newly redesigned multimedia system with “hey Jeep” voice activation
- The classic Jeep look and feel that’s luxe, too
What You Need to Know
As always, there are caveats:
- There is no longer a Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid; if you want one, find a 2025 or earlier model because it’s gone, at least for now
- The Hurricane turbo’s fuel economy is estimated at an average of 22 MPG, about the same as the V6
- 4WD is an upgrade in all but the top to trims
- Cargo space behind the rear seats is about 37.7 cubic feet in the two-row and about 46.9 cubic feet in the 3-row behind the second row; it’s about 17.2 cubic feet behind the 3rd row
The Jeep Grand Cherokee has been a best-seller since it was introduced, and for good reason. Its off-road capability is incredible, it’s spacious, comfortable and filled with great features. And while many competitors have come for it, few have been able to crack the code. With the new, more powerful engine and more-for-the-money pricing, it may now be an even tougher code to crack.
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