All-new Jeep Cherokee arrives with clever hybrid all-wheel-drive tech

Full technical details of the all-new Jeep Cherokee have been revealed, with the Amercian marque confirming it’ll introduce a clever new hybrid engine. The mid-size SUV has been a key model in North America for decades, but this generation won’t be finding its way to the UK. However, its new hybrid powertrain could be. 

Powertrain and chassis

The new hybrid system combines a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors. In this arrangement, one electric motor acts as a generator delivering electricity to a small 1kWh battery pack, with the second directly adding drive to the wheels. 

In the case of the Cherokee, this powers all four wheels, producing peak figures of 210bhp and 311Nm of torque. Jeep is promising 44mpg and a range of around 500 miles, the former figure an impressive one compared with US-market rivals. 

While there’s no word yet on whether this powertrain will make into models sold in Europe, it could fit nicely into other Stellantis cars, such as the Peugeot 3008 and Citroen C5 Aircross, as a more substantial hybrid offering to sit above the current three-cylinder. And if you’re interested in buying a new hybrid-powered SUV, check out the Auto Express Buy A Car for all the best deals on new and used cars. 

Design and interior 

The Cherokee’s rear lights feature a blocky shape that’s not dissimilar to the new, smaller Jeep Compass. The rear window (which covers the entire width of the car) looks a little inset – perhaps as a nod to the seventies original.

The design language borrows more from the recently revealed Compass at the front, too. Both feature an upright design with Jeep’s signature seven-slot grille, a flat bonnet, squared-off wheelarches and a very square body. Possibly as an indication to the Cherokee’s more premium positioning, it gets sleeker, recessed door handles and integrated cameras in the wing mirrors.

Many of the styling cues found on the rugged-looking new Cherokee were also found on the landmark, second-generation Jeep Cherokee, more commonly known as the XJ, from the eighties. It was one of the world’s first compact SUVs and was arguably the most influential model the 4x4 brand has produced, so we understand why the Mk6 Cherokee might hark back to it. 

The cabin follows Jeep’s American-market models in featuring a 10.25-inch driver’s display and 12.3-inch main touchscreen. These sit within a simple and rugged cabin, with a tall dash and touch-sensitive controls for the heating and ventilation. Practicality is also said to be better, with 30 per cent more cabin space and a bigger boot. 

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Jeep CEO Bob Broderdorf said: “The all-new Jeep Cherokee headlines our efforts to deliver more product, innovation, choice and standard content to customers than ever before.

“Jeep Cherokee will boast competitive pricing that strikes at the core of the largest vehicle segment and sits perfectly between Jeep Compass and Jeep Grand Cherokee to bolster our winning mainstream line-up.”

The brand’s boss is referring to its American range there. But while the new Cherokee isn’t coming to the UK, Jeep has plenty of exciting stuff on the horizon. Next up is the smaller Compass, which is due to arrive here before the end of the year, followed by the flagship Wagoneer S that last we heard was due in early 2026. The Jeep Recon electric 4x4 is also coming soon, with the first official images released back in February.

If the new Cherokee not coming to the UK has got you down, then don’t worry because there are plenty of great deals to be had on Jeeps via the Auto Express Buy a Car service, including the current BMW X5-rivalling Grand Cherokee.

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