Tag Archives: 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

NEW CARS

2026 Jeep Grand Wagoneer: The Mountain-Conquering Penthouse on Wheels

The Grand Wagoneer has always been Jeep’s gentleman adventurer — the sort of SUV that could wade through a river on a Monday, then roll up to a five-star gala on Friday without changing its shirt. For 2026, it’s back, freshly pressed, and proudly wearing the Jeep badge like a medal of honour.

Nearly 85 years into the game, Jeep could easily rest on its laurels — maybe whittle a walking stick out of a piece of Moab sandstone and tell the young crossovers about “the good old days.” Instead, it’s doubled down on its heritage: freedom, adventure, authenticity and, yes, a healthy dose of swagger.

Under the skin, the refreshed Grand Wagoneer remains a big, unapologetic slab of American luxury-meets-capability. Think high-grade leathers, tech-laden dashboards, and the sort of ride height that makes lesser SUVs look like wind-up toys. But behind the quilted seats and panoramic glass lies genuine Jeep DNA — the stuff that lets you tow, climb, and claw your way out of situations most luxury SUVs would rather photograph from a safe distance.

This isn’t just about petrol anymore, either. Jeep’s playing the full powertrain symphony now: internal combustion for the purists, hybrids for the sensible, and all-electric options for the silently smug. Whichever you choose, the Grand Wagoneer’s mission stays the same — get you everywhere, make you comfortable while you’re at it, and look like you own half the mountain range.

The 2026 Grand Wagoneer isn’t trying to be something it’s not. It’s a Jeep — just one that swapped its hiking boots for Italian leather loafers, without losing the urge to climb something.

Source: Jeep

News

Scott Krugger to Lead Design for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram

In a strategic reshuffle aimed at sharpening the design DNA of its most iconic brands, Stellantis has announced the appointment of Scott Krugger as Head of North America Design. The newly created position places Krugger at the creative helm of legendary American marques including Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, and Ram, as he reports directly to North America COO Antonio Filosa.

Krugger, a seasoned design executive who began his career with the company in 2001, brings more than two decades of brand-shaping experience. His most recent role saw him lead the exterior design for Dodge and Dodge//SRT passenger and utility vehicles in North America—vehicles known for their aggressive styling and performance-first ethos. He also previously oversaw design for Alfa Romeo, Jeep, and user experience development at Stellantis’ EMEA design studio, giving him a global design perspective rare in the industry.

The appointment is part of a larger transformation of Stellantis’ design leadership structure, which also includes the recent hiring of Gilles Vidal to head design for the company’s European brands. Both moves are key to Chief Design Officer Ralph Gilles’ vision of a globally unified yet regionally agile design operation.

“With Scott’s immense design talent and proven leadership in North America and Gilles’ award-winning track record in Europe, we are opening a new chapter of creative excellence,” said Ralph Gilles, who continues to spearhead Stellantis’ global design strategy while working closely with regional heads to ensure brand authenticity and consumer resonance.

The company’s new design framework aims to strike a balance between global design consistency and regional customization—a necessity in today’s diverse and rapidly evolving auto markets. Under this model, Krugger will help steer the North American brands through a design renaissance that prioritizes bold innovation while honoring the heritage that defines each marque.

Krugger’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for Stellantis, as the company intensifies efforts to electrify its lineup and expand its reach in both traditional and emerging markets. With fresh leadership and a sharpened creative vision, Stellantis appears determined to make its next generation of vehicles as visually compelling as they are technologically advanced.

For fans of muscle cars, rugged off-roaders, and American luxury alike, the future just got a little more exciting.

Source: Stellantis