Jeep Cherokee

The Cherokee returns after a brief hiatus in 2026, now packaged exclusively as a hybrid. During its time away, the Cherokee grew, gaining 5 inches in overall length with a 6-inch longer wheelbase, which notably improves rear-seat space and cargo room. The increased dimensions give the Jeep a size advantage over other small SUVs. Motivation comes from a 210-hp, 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder hybrid powertrain with an eCVT and standard all-wheel drive. Unfortunately, the driving experience is marred by laggy throttle response and a loud engine during hard acceleration. Fuel economy is disappointing, at just 31 mpg overall in our testing--several mpg behind rival hybrid compact SUVs. Our testers disliked the non-round steering wheel, and front-seat comfort is merely mediocre. The rear seat is quite spacious, but it's short on underleg support. The infotainment system feels outdated due to its small, thin onscreen fonts, and the undersized buttons are difficult to use while driving. We found the capacitive-touch climate controls unresponsive and distracting.

Generation summary from Consumer Reports. Year-specific figures appear below; missing values mean unavailable, not zero.