The refreshed 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee sports fresh ends on its iconic SUV body, and it arrives as a better value thanks to more standard tech and creature comforts. But the big news for this classic SUV, available in two-row or 3-row form, is the introduction of a new engine.
The base Laredo and Laredo X trims still get the carryover 3.6-liter V6 rated at 293 horsepower, but the five other trims get a new iteration of the brand’s “Hurricane” engine. This one makes landfall with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 rated at a robust 324 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. It has pronounced lag from a stop, and during aggressive driving, the 8-speed automatic can feel unsure about how to respond, which keeps it from being one of our 3 Favorite Things. Still, it’s a potent engine with a great (albeit enhanced) soundtrack, and the Grand Cherokee remains one of our highly recommended SUVs.
Starting at around $41,000, and with all-wheel drive (AWD) costing another $2,000, it may not seem like a relative value until you assess the wealth of standard safety and convenience features. We’ll start there and work our way up.
1. Good Features, Right Price
The base Laredo comes with all the active safety systems you’d expect on a new car, and it throws in blind-spot monitors and adaptive cruise control. A crisp 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and power driver seat are standard. For $2,495 more, or $43,410, step up to the Laredo X to upgrade from the 8.4-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to a 12.3-inch touchscreen with a nice blend of graphics and buttons for climate and drive modes. Note: The tiny volume knob can be blocked from view by the steering wheel, but there are volume and tuning controls on the back of the steering wheel.
The Laredo X also comes with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a sunroof, a power liftgate, remote start, and wireless device charging. That makes it a relative value in the midsize SUV class, costing less than similarly equipped versions of the Honda Passport and Mazda CX-70 as well as the top-ranked Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade.
2. Loaded Summit Trim
Even the top Summit trim is priced right for the features. With standard AWD, it costs $62,595, including the $1,995 destination fee. That’s nearly the same as the base models of the 2026 Lincoln Aviator with AWD and the 2026 Genesis GV80 with AWD. And the Summit has equipment that those premium base models lack, including massaging front seats, wood-grain trim, a McIntosh 19-speaker audio system, heated and cooled rear seats, and ambient lighting. It would cost about $10,000 to unlock such amenities on luxury rivals.
3. Hands-Free Active Driving Assist
Parent company Stellantis has expanded its hands-free driving technology that is available across the Jeep lineup. It now offers longer hands-free driving durations and semi-automatic lane changes, provided that the monitor detects the driver is still paying attention to the road.
I tested it in traffic on I-94 in Illinois and Wisconsin, and it maintained the center of the lane well and kept a reasonable gap from the lead car, even in the closest setting. In congested merging traffic, it never balked and, in fact, nudged me over in my lane a little when a semi got too close. I grew more comfortable with it the longer I tested it. As long as I kept my head forward, I could relax with my hands in my lap and feet off the pedals for several minutes at a time. Max speed is capped at 90 mph.
It detects eyes through sunglasses, and looking away for too long triggered an alert in the cluster to touch the wheel. An audible warning followed, and then a haptic seat warning before the system shut off, slowed the car, and forced me to take over. The automatic lane change still requires you to single-tap the indicator, but overall, it’s a nice option to have while road-tripping. Accessible across 200,000 miles of limited access highways, which includes most interstates, it’s not as sophisticated as GM’s Super Cruise or Tesla’s Full Self-Driving misnomer.
Even on the loaded Summit trim, it’s a $2,995 option for a three-year trial.
In summary, the refreshed 2026 Grand Cherokee comes well equipped for the price, and becomes a luxury value — my favorite oxymoron — in top trims.
Read More on the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Read our full review of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, find this week’s Fair Purchase Price, or see Grand Cherokee models near you.
