Jeep's Refreshed 2026 Grand Cherokee Debuts More Powerful and More Fuel-Efficient Engine

Over the last three decades, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has been the brand’s leader in advancements. It is the Jeep brand’s family SUV and now has a new, more efficient engine to drive it into the future. Jeep’s refreshed 2026 Grand Cherokee debuts the company’s new 2.0-liter Hurricane 4 Turbo engine. The company says the new engine and other upgrades will keep the Grand Cherokee at the front of the SUV pack.

“The Jeep Grand Cherokee set the standard for SUVs and grand adventures more than 30 years ago, and it continues to drive them forward today,” said Bob Broderdorf, Jeep brand chief executive officer. “The 2026 Grand Cherokee scales to every customer’s needs, offering a blend of surprising power from the all-new Hurricane turbo-four engine, true 4x4 capability and a suite of amenities designed to tackle both every day and extraordinary adventures for customers and their crew.”

Jeep’s Award-Winning 2026 Refreshed Grand Cherokee

Designers have given the new Grand Cherokee a little facelift but are keeping the distinct look Grand Cherokee has embraced for more than 30 years. The Grand Cherokee has an updated seven-slot grille, new headlight design, a modified rear and lower fascia. Much like a Hollywood actor, you can’t quite put your finger on what all is different, it just looks younger, brighter and more modern. Engineers will tell you that it is more advanced and more user friendly. 

Inside, a new 12.3-inch infotainment unit highlights Grand Cherokee’s technology advancements. The new infotainment screen adds to a range of available features, including a 10.25-inch passenger display, Active Driving Assist technology and a premium McIntosh 19-speaker sound system.

Three new exterior colors Steel Blue, Copper Shino and Fathom Blue make the 2026 Grand Cherokee look more modern as well. 

2026 Grand Cherokee’s Biggest Change is Under the Hood

The Grand Cherokee is introducing the new 2.0-liter Hurricane 4 Turbo engine to America, but it has already been successful in other European models. The Jeep version will be built in Dundee, Michigan. 

Much like the larger Hurricane Inline 6, the new engine will be more powerful and more fuel efficient than other engines. The Hurricane 4 Turbo delivers 324 horsepower, 332 lb-ft of torque and a segment-leading 162 horsepower per liter on regular gasoline. The new engine provides an estimated best-in-class driving range of 529 miles on a single tank of fuel and a class-leading 6,200-pound towing figure.

Jeep says “The Hurricane 4 Turbo marks the industry’s first high-volume application of Turbulent Jet Ignition technology to improve power and boost efficiency.”

“With the Hurricane 4 Turbo, we’ve created a force to exceed the high expectations that Jeep Grand Cherokee owners have for power, performance and refinement, along with the added benefit of enhanced fuel economy,” said Micky Bly, Stellantis senior vice president, Head of Propulsion Systems Engineering.

2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s New Simplified Trim Lineup

As Jeep tries to trim manufacturing costs and keep prices lower, it has adopted a more simplified strategy. It is reducing the number of trims offered to three and trying to add value at each level.

• Laredo
• Limited
• Summit

Prices range from about $38,000 for the base model Laredo up to $60,000 for the top-of-the-line Summit. All models all have an added destination charge of $1950. 

Summit Trim’s Available Features Include:

• Hands-free highway assist
• 12.3-inch touch screen
• Front-passenger touch screen
• 360-degree camera
• Panoramic sunroof
• Air suspension

The 2026 Grand Cherokee offers more technology and more equipment plus the all-new powertrain, but Jeep’s new trim strategy also keeps prices lower for people who don’t want all the upgrades. The base Laredo trim carries over from the previous model year with a standard 3.6-liter V-6. The base model adds new 18-inch wheels, chrome accents and a suite of standard safety equipment.

Standard Safety Equipment on 2026 Grand Cherokees

• Active Lane Management
• Rear Park Assist
• Blind-spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path detection
• Automatic Emergency Braking 

The new Laredo X trim also carries over the 3.6-liter V-6 propulsion system, but the feature-packed trim bundles some of the most popular equipment as standard, including:

• Heated seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Sunroof
• Power liftgate
• Wireless charging pad

2026 Grand Cherokee L

The 2026 Grand Cherokee L returns for the model year, with the same simplified trim strategy. Grand Cherokee L adds a third row to the Grand Cherokee. The L continues to have best-in-class second-row legroom and more passenger volume than any vehicle in its class and more cargo room behind the third row than competitor SUVs.

“With the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s introduction, this brand continues to follow through on its four new products in four months strategy – the all-new Cherokee, new Grand Wagoneer and, soon, the Trail Rated, all-electric Recon,” said Bob Broderdorf, Jeep CEO. “We continue to demonstrate how we stand out among the competition in every way and do it in a way that brings a smile to anyone who’s ever been, or aspired to be, behind the wheel in any one of our iconic Jeep vehicles.

Production of the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee will take place at both Stellantis’ Detroit Assembly Complex Jefferson and Mack plants. 

Jeep Photo

Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.

Follow Mary Conway at @MaryConwayMedia and send her car news tips for future stories.