Stellantis Brings Back Jeep Cherokee With Hybrid Model

Stellantis unveiled the 2026 Jeep Cherokee, reintroducing the model after a two-year hiatus and marking the first time the brand offers a hybrid powertrain in North America. The relaunch is part of a broader effort to reverse six consecutive years of declining Jeep sales.

The 2026 Cherokee features Stellantis’ new 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid system, which the company says delivers over 500 miles of range per tank. The  model also debuts the “Connect One” services package and offers 30% more cargo space than its predecessor. Built on a new platform, the vehicle is longer, taller, and wider than the previous generation.

“Hybrid was the perfect piece to round out the rest of our portfolio,” Jeep CEO Bob Broderdorf said in an interview with CNBC.

Positioned between the Jeep Compass and Grand Cherokee, the new Cherokee targets one of the most competitive segments in the US market. “This is the biggest segment in the United States, and bringing this back into our portfolio is a perfect fit,” Broderdorf added. “It addresses one of the largest gaps behind our sales decline and will help reinvigorate growth.”

The base model will start at US$36,995, including a US$1,995 destination charge. Vehicles are scheduled to reach US dealerships in late 2025 and early 2026, with production taking place at Stellantis’ facility in Mexico.

The Cherokee was previously discontinued in 2023 as part of cost-cutting measures under then-CEO Carlos Tavares. Antonio Filosa, who became Stellantis CEO earlier this summer after leading Jeep, has made revitalizing the brand a top priority. “My first weeks as CEO have reconfirmed my strong conviction that we will fix what’s wrong in Stellantis by capitalizing on everything that’s right,” Filosa said during the company’s July earnings report.

The relaunch comes as Stellantis faces new cost pressures from the reinstatement of US auto tariffs under President Donald Trump. The company projects a full-year impact of €1.5 billion (approximately US$1.74 billion). Broderdorf acknowledged that “costs are certainly going to be impacted by tariffs,” but emphasized Stellantis’ flexibility, citing its global footprint and multi-nameplate manufacturing capacity.