From Car and Driver · · 1m 50s
2026 Jeep Cherokee Overland Tested
2026 Jeep Cherokee Overland delivers fuel efficiency but struggles with power and ride quality.
In brief
2026 Jeep Cherokee Overland delivers fuel efficiency but struggles with power and ride quality. The 2026 Jeep Cherokee Overland offers strong fuel economy but has a weak powertrain and unsettled ride, failing to challenge the XJ generation's legacy. Originally reported by Car and Driver.
2026 Jeep Cherokee Overland Tested
The Cherokee nameplate has been affixed to many different Jeeps, with the XJ generation being the most beloved and longest-lasting model from the mid-1980s to early 2000s.
Square Design
The 2026 Cherokee features a squared-off styling that provides a serious, substantive look and improves packaging with 34 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats.
Hybrid Powertrain
The Cherokee uses a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder paired with two electric motors, delivering 210 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque.
EPA Fuel Economy
EPA estimates of 39 mpg city and 35 highway are competitive with the Honda CR-V Hybrid but lag behind the Toyota RAV4 hybrid’s 46 mpg city and 39 highway.
Weak Powertrain
The hybrid powertrain groans under acceleration and causes a slight shudder during stop-and-crawl driving, such as on the Garden State Parkway.
Slow Acceleration
The Cherokee clocks 8.5 seconds to 60 mph and 9.3 seconds from a 5-mph rolling start, lagging behind the Honda CR-V Hybrid’s 7.1 seconds to 60 mph.
Heavy Weight
The Cherokee weighs 4403 pounds, 466 pounds heavier than the last Forester Hybrid tested and over 500 pounds heavier than the Honda or Toyota hybrids.
Unsettled Ride
The Cherokee bobs around over lumpy pavement, feeling softly sprung and under-damped, with minimal cabin isolation from bumps.
Verdict
The Cherokee gives Jeep a foothold in the SUV segment with fuel economy numbers but does not threaten the XJ generation’s place as the GOAT in Cherokee history.
The main idea
The 2026 Jeep Cherokee Overland offers strong fuel economy but has a weak powertrain and unsettled ride, failing to challenge the XJ generation's legacy.
