The last-generation Jeep Cherokee KL was a solid off-roader in its own right, but what about this new one?
Three years after the last Cherokee went out of production, we have a brand-new model hitting dealerships nationwide right now. Kase had a chance to check out the changes alongside the updated 2026 Grand Cherokee, but we (unfortunately) didn’t get to take it off-road at the time. Now, Roman and Tommy are taking the new Cherokee Limited off the pavement to see just how worthy it is of that Jeep badge.
Right off the bat, the 2026 Jeep Cherokee KM is a different animal to the 2014-2023 KL model it replaces. There’s a new, squared-off look as well as a new hybrid powertrain. Both those elements lie at the heart of what this new generation is all about, as the boxier design and 1.6-liter turbo-four-backed system aim to improve everyday usability (30% better cargo space and up to an EPA-rated 37 mpg combined). Jeep says a lot about this SUV’s interior storage, its look, its fuel economy and the onboard tech, but it notably doesn’t really go into what, for many people, makes a Jeep a Jeep: it’s adventure-ready capability.
And…oh boy. See, the Cherokee’s 210 combined horsepower and 230 lb-ft of torque promise solid on-paper performance, and even on the road it’s decently punchy. With 8 inches of ground clearance, Jeep’s Active Drive I 4×4 system and markedly street-biased tires, these new Cherokee models don’t quite wear dirt-worthiness on their sleeves. Sure, you get Jeep Off-Road Pages as an extra-cost feature on the 12.3-inch infotainment system, a low range mode and Selec-Terrain drive modes, but…
There is a pretty serious ‘but’, at least as things stand right now. The 2026 Jeep Cherokee doesn’t go so far as to wear a “Trail Rated” badge, and there’s a good reason for that. Roman and Tommy demonstrate just how the Cherokee performs off-road (hint: it struggles a fair bit), but this is the Limited model.
It’s worth noting, before diving into the video below, that we haven’t yet seen a more rugged and gritty Trailhawk model join the lineup just yet. Even in the KL generation, you wanted to get the Trailhawk if you really planned to hit some light to moderate trails, and we don’t have that here yet. So, there’s still potential here, particularly with more advanced all-wheel drive systems, drive modes, a selectable locker and, most importantly, proper all-terrain tires.
Check out how our initial Cherokee experience went:
