Tag Archives: Jeep

NEW CARS

2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has never been one to rest on its laurels. Three decades after setting the benchmark for American SUVs, the 2026 model storms in with something entirely new under the hood — a Hurricane.

Yes, that’s the name of Jeep’s all-new 2.0-liter Hurricane 4 Turbo, a four-cylinder engine with enough tech and torque to make you rethink everything you thought you knew about small displacement. It’s the headline act of the 2026 Grand Cherokee lineup, a year that also brings updated design touches, a new 12.3-inch infotainment system, and a simplified trim structure designed to make choosing your adventure-ready family hauler a little easier.

A Turbocharged Storm in a Grand Shell

On paper, the Hurricane 4 Turbo looks like the kind of overachiever that belongs under a sports sedan’s hood, not a 4,800-pound SUV. The 2.0-liter inline-four churns out 324 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, translating to an impressive 162 horsepower per liter—a segment record. That’s enough to tow 6,200 pounds and travel an estimated 529 miles on a single tank, all on regular gas.

The secret sauce is Stellantis’ first high-volume application of Turbulent Jet Ignition (TJI) technology, a race-inspired combustion trick that ignites fuel in a pre-chamber above each cylinder for a faster, cleaner, and more complete burn. The result? More power, fewer emissions, and a broader torque curve — 90 percent of peak torque is available between 2,600 and 5,600 rpm.

Add in a variable-geometry turbocharger, and the Hurricane 4 promises both snappy low-end response and effortless highway passing power. “We’ve created a force to exceed the high expectations that Grand Cherokee owners have for power and refinement,” said Micky Bly, Stellantis’ head of propulsion engineering.

New Face, Smarter Cabin

Beyond the engine, the Grand Cherokee gets a subtle refresh to keep things looking and feeling contemporary. The iconic seven-slot grille gets a sharper edge, flanked by new headlight designs and updated lower fascia treatments. Out back, the rear bumper and trim have been re-sculpted, while new finishes and three fresh paint shades — Steel Blue, Copper Shino, and Fathom Blue — bring a touch of sophistication to Jeep’s adventure-ready posture.

Inside, the cabin steps up its tech game. The new 12.3-inch infotainment system dominates the dashboard, joined by an available 10.25-inch passenger display and the always-welcome McIntosh 19-speaker premium audio system. Materials and finishes have been elevated across the board, particularly in the upper trims, while features like Active Driving Assist, Night Vision, and a 360-degree camera move the Grand Cherokee closer to luxury SUV territory than ever before.

Simplified Trims, Smarter Choices

Jeep has restructured the lineup for 2026 around three primary trims: Laredo, Limited, and Summit. The idea is simplicity — fewer overlapping configurations, clearer value steps, and more standard equipment where it matters.

The entry-level Laredo Altitude now includes the 12.3-inch infotainment system, premium audio, and Jeep’s Selec-Terrain 4×4 system, a first for the base model. Standard safety tech is expanded, with Traffic Sign Recognition and Intersection Collision Assist now included.

Step up to the Limited, and you’ll find leatherette seating, Silver Silk exterior accents, and a nine-speaker Alpine audio setup. For those wanting a bit more flair, the Limited Reserve and Limited Altitude packages pile on 20-inch wheels, dual-pane sunroofs, ventilated Nappa leather seats, and a digital rearview mirror.

At the top sits the Summit, which leans heavily into premium territory with Palermo leather upholstery, massaging seats, a suede headliner, and the Quadra-Trac II 4×4 system paired with adaptive air suspension. Add in the McIntosh sound system, and you’ve got arguably the most luxurious Jeep this side of a Grand Wagoneer.

L, PHEV, and Trailhawk: Something for Everyone

Jeep hasn’t forgotten families or eco-minded adventurers. The three-row Grand Cherokee L returns with best-in-class second-row legroom and expanded third-row amenities, while the Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid continues to offer a compelling mix of torque and efficiency. The Trailhawk 4xe, in particular, remains the lineup’s off-road king, boasting 470 lb-ft of torque, a best-in-class departure angle, and a 470-mile driving range.

Built in Detroit, Coming Soon

Production of the 2026 Grand Cherokee will continue at Stellantis’ Detroit Assembly Complex – Jefferson and Mack plants, solidifying its Motor City roots. It’s one of four new Jeep models launching in the second half of 2025, alongside the revamped Cherokee, Grand Wagoneer, and all-electric Recon.

Final Thoughts

The Grand Cherokee has always walked a fine line between ruggedness and refinement. With the introduction of the Hurricane 4 Turbo, Jeep isn’t just threading that needle — it’s redefining what efficiency and power can look like in a midsize SUV.

If the numbers hold true, this isn’t just another engine swap. It’s a statement: Jeep’s most awarded SUV just found a new way to earn that title — with brains, brawn, and a little boost.

Source: Jeep

News

Desert Queens: Jeep Returns to the Rebelle Rally

There are off-road rallies, and then there’s the Rebelle. No GPS. No pit crews. Just you, your co-driver, a battered map, a compass, and 1,500 miles of Nevada and California’s most brutal terrain trying its best to chew you up and spit you out. It’s the kind of event that would make a Dakar veteran sweat, and the kind of proving ground where Jeep’s legend doesn’t just survive—it thrives.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Rebelle Rally, a decade of dust, daring, and a whole lot of grit. Founder Emily Miller has taken what could have been a niche experiment and turned it into the longest off-road rally in the United States—part endurance test, part navigation gauntlet, and entirely unforgiving. Jeep has been along for most of that ride, and in typical Jeep fashion, they’ve brought the hardware, the pedigree, and more than a few trophies.

And by trophies, we mean dominance: seven of nine overall wins belong to Jeeps, as do five of eight Bone Stock awards (the latter proving the point that you don’t need to modify a Jeep to survive hell on wheels—you just need a Jeep). Oh, and if you think this is just factory-backed heroics, think again: over a third of competitors turn up in personal Jeeps. That’s loyalty you don’t fake.

This year, the Jeep brand is fielding two teams, both behind the wheel of the Jeep Gladiator Mojave. Think of it as a Swiss Army knife on steroids—equal parts brawler, sprinter, and Swiss chalet. Designed to laugh in the face of terrain that makes normal trucks weep, the Mojave is built for exactly the kind of punishment the Rebelle dishes out.

First up: Team Strictly Business (#129), aka Nena Barlow and Teralin Petereit. These two are the Rebelle Rally’s answer to Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff—ridiculously good and absurdly consistent. Between them, they’ve racked up nearly two decades of Rebelle experience, and they’ve taken home the overall and Bone Stock titles in three of the last four years. To say they’re favorites is like saying the Sahara is “a bit sandy.”

Challenging them—and perhaps shaking up the Jeep garage—is Team Fun•Duh•Mentals (#101). Don’t let the cheeky name fool you. Lyn Woodward, an automotive journalist with a knack for turning test drives into war stories, pairs up with Renée Vento, a real estate pro who swaps luxury listings for desert checkpoints like it’s nothing. It’s Woodward’s sixth Rebelle, Vento’s seventh, but their first time as a duo. Add Jeep’s backing and Pennzoil’s Ultra Platinum oil keeping things slick under the hood, and you’ve got a wild card with serious bite.

“The Rebelle Rally is not only the ultimate proving ground for Jeep’s legendary durability and capability, but also a powerful showcase of the passionate Jeep 4×4 owners who compete,” says Jeep CEO Bob Broderdorf. Translation: it’s the one event where Jeep doesn’t have to tell you it’s tough—you can see it, mile after mile, dune after dune.

Ten years on, the Rebelle has become less about who wins and more about who makes it. But if history tells us anything, it’s this: if there’s a Jeep in the field, you’d be foolish to bet against it.

Source: Jeep

NEW CARS

2026 Jeep Cherokee: The Legend Returns – With LL COOL J, Neon Garages and a 500-Mile Range

Brooklyn isn’t exactly Moab, but last night Domino Park turned into Jeep country. Neon lights, a crowd of die-hard Jeepers, food trucks, a 4×4-themed carnival, and — because subtlety was never part of the Cherokee’s DNA — LL COOL J rapping “Don’t call it a comeback” as the curtains dropped on the all-new 2026 Jeep Cherokee. Times Square got the livestream, Domino Park got the spectacle, and SiriusXM’s Rock the Bells Radio got the broadcast. Jeep wanted a show, and they delivered one.

Because this isn’t just any new SUV. This is Jeep attempting to reclaim its seat at the midsize-SUV table it helped build, back when the Cherokee invented “family-friendly 4×4” in the ’70s. Stellantis isn’t hiding it: the campaign literally calls the Cherokee “America’s Original Influencer.”

The Engine Room: Hybrid, But Still Jeep

Under the squared-off bonnet lies something new: a 1.6-litre turbo-four hybrid that pairs petrol punch with electric torque. On paper, the numbers look solid — 210 horsepower, 230 lb-ft of torque, and a claimed 37 mpg combined. More importantly, Jeep promises over 500 miles on a single tank. That’s a proper road trip in one gulp of unleaded.

This isn’t a plug-in; it’s Jeep’s first North American hybrid system, designed to slot neatly between rugged off-roading and the world of emissions regulations. Two electric motors, a compact battery, and a promise that capability hasn’t been watered down. In Jeep-speak: you can still leave the pavement behind.

The Look: Back to Boxy

The last Cherokee was, let’s be polite, divisive. Squinty headlights, slippery lines — it never really found its footing. The 2026 model is different. Jeep designers went back to the archive, pulled out the greatest hits, and remixed them with a modern edge.

It’s taller, longer, and more upright than before. Big, squared LED headlights frame a bold seven-slot grille. The taillights borrow cues from classic jerrycans. The profile is slabby, confident, Jeep through and through. No one’s going to mistake this for a crossover-blob.

Inside, the Cherokee finally feels 2026. Two big screens — 10.25-inch cluster, 12.3-inch infotainment — run Jeep’s Uconnect 5 with wireless CarPlay/Android Auto and enough connected services to make Silicon Valley blush. Cargo space is up 30 percent; think “extra dog crate in the boot” levels of improvement. Sustainability’s in there too, with recycled materials and no leather options on some trims.

Capability: Because Jeep

Hybrid or not, this is still a Jeep. Active Drive I 4×4 system is standard, with Selec-Terrain modes for Auto, Sport, Snow, and Sand/Mud. Ground clearance? 8 inches. Angles? Best-in-class, says Jeep: approach 19.6°, departure 29.4°, breakover 18.8°. Translation: the school run won’t trouble it, and neither will a muddy campsite.

The Show Around the Show

Domino Park’s “4×4 City Camp” wasn’t just a backdrop; it was a nostalgia trip. Visitors could wander through a 1970s campfire, a neon-soaked ’80s garage, a ’90s bedroom plastered with dial-up internet vibes, or a 2000s gas station pit stop — each matched with a Cherokee from that era. Heritage, but with photo-ops and food trucks.

LL COOL J summed it up best: “IYKYK. We go way back.” Jeep and hip-hop might sound like strange bedfellows, but both built legacies on originality and attitude.

The Numbers

  • Engines: 1.6-litre turbo-four hybrid (210 hp, 230 lb-ft)
  • Range: 500+ miles per tank
  • Economy: ~37 mpg combined (est.)
  • Ground clearance: 8 in
  • Cargo space: +30% vs previous Cherokee
  • Trims & Price: Cherokee ($36,995), Laredo ($39,995), Limited ($42,495), Overland ($45,995)

The Cherokee isn’t just back — it’s been re-engineered, re-styled, and relaunched with a confidence Jeep hasn’t shown in years. Hybrid efficiency meets old-school boxiness, wrapped in a campaign loud enough to fill Times Square.

“Don’t call it a comeback,” LL COOL J rapped on stage. But honestly? That’s exactly what this is.

Source: Stellantis