2026 Jeep Cherokee First Drive Review: The OG Return

For a brand that likes to boast about building (almost) nothing but SUVs, going without an entry in the exceptionally popular compact segment has left Jeep in an awkward position. Yes, the Wrangler still puts the pancetta on the table, plus it provides all kinds of credibility, but letting the Cherokee lapse this long without a replacement is a bit like opening an Italian restaurant and skipping any sort of spaghetti dish. Bizzarro. But it’s back after a two-year absence, putting Jeep in a place it should have been all along. More than an obligatory offering, the 2026 Jeep Cherokee is competitive in a way that wasn’t possible for its quirky-looking predecessor, with (slightly) safer styling to go with standard hybrid power. 00:00 Intro 01:20 Powertrain 02:38 Fuel Economy 03:00 Driving Feel 03:40 Comfort 04:00 Value 04:20 Design 05:23 Practicality 06:10 The Verdict Read the full review here: https://www.autotrader.ca/editorial/20260223/2026-jeep-cherokee-first-drive-review Thanks so much for watching, let us know your thoughts in the comments down below! Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to see more car reviews and expert auto advice! SUBSCRIBE here: https://t.ly/iUCxa If you have any questions for our experts Jodi and Dan, send us an email at [email protected] and they’d be happy to respond in the next episode of Own the Road with AutoTrader. Check out our PODCAST here: https://www.youtube.com/@autotrader_ca/podcasts About Us: Welcome to AutoTrader CA, the official channel for Canada’s largest and most trusted marketplace for buying and selling new and used cars. AutoTrader.ca has the largest inventory of vehicles, with cars of all types, RVs, bikes, ATVs, and much more. We provide Canadians with the resources they need to make better vehicle buying decisions with our guides and tools. Check us out at AutoTrader.ca On our channel, we’ve got straightforward car reviews and test drives, from EVs to trucks, Mustangs to Mitsubishis, and tips for car owners, car shoppers and car sellers alike. Our automotive experts Jodi and Dan (also best friends) have a combined 25 years of expertise in the automotive journalism industry and get together to host our podcast, Own the Road with AutoTrader. Jodi Lai is an award-winning automotive journalist with a Bachelor of Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University (Ryerson), is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), and a jury member for the North American Car/Truck/Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY). Jodi is the Editor-in-Chief of AutoTrader and the recipient of the prestigious 2022 AJAC Journalist of the Year Award. Dan Ilika is AutoTrader’s Road Test Editor and has been working in the automotive industry for the better part of the last decade. Dan graduated from Toronto’s Humber College with an advanced diploma in journalism, and his work spans from newspaper to television and the web, reviewing cars in writing and in front of the camera. They’ve got the scoop on everything car-related for the everyday driver or the auto enthusiast, helping to make car stuff simple for Canadians. Want to see more of our content? Check out our socials: • Instagram: instagram.com/autotrader_ca • Facebook: facebook.com/AutoTrader.ca • TikTok: tiktok.com/@autotraderca • X (formerly Twitter): x.com/ca_autotrader