Jeep Cherokee "reborn" with hybrid engine, competing with Mazda CX-5
The new generation Jeep Cherokee SUV is assembled in Mexico - where import tax to Vietnam has just been reduced by 35% since the beginning of this year and will gradually decrease to 0% by 2030.
Báo Khoa học và Đời sống•24/08/2025
One of America's most popular SUVs, the Jeep Cherokee is back in its sixth generation, bigger and more luxurious than before, with improved performance thanks to a new hybrid powertrain. The new design aims to balance a rugged look with a more upscale feel, putting the brand in the hybrid crossover segment to compete with rivals like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-50/CX-5. Ditching the rather odd styling of the fifth-generation model, the new Jeep Cherokee returns to a more boxy design reminiscent of its Grand Cherokee sibling. The “super-vertical” front end with its slim grille and rectangular headlights recalls the first-generation Cherokee, codenamed XJ. These are combined with angular bodywork and thick side skirts.
The high hood is flanked by wide windows, while the door handles are recessed into the body. They are combined with 17- to 20-inch wheels, with Nexen Roadian GTX or Pirelli Scorpion MS tires depending on the version. At the rear of the car is a strongly stylized tailgate with delicate cuts that once again recall the Cherokee XJ. In terms of dimensions, the Cherokee is 4,778mm long, 2,123mm wide and 1,715mm tall with a 2,870mm wheelbase. This means the redesigned model is 119mm longer, 25mm wider and 50mm taller. The distance between the wheels has been increased by 163mm, providing significantly more cabin space. While the sharp, characterful exterior recalls the Grand Cherokee and its first generations, the luxurious cabin takes cues from the Wagoneer S full-size luxury SUV. The driver sits behind a square steering wheel and looks at a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. The 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 infotainment system is available with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Every Cherokee comes with a 10-year subscription to Connect One, which provides over-the-air updates, automatic emergency calling, and connectivity to the Jeep smartphone app. The interior is open, airy, and minimalist. That’s thanks in part to a redesigned center console that incorporates a rotary shift knob and a small terrain selector with Auto, Sport , Snow, and Sand/Mud modes.
A lot of the buttons and knobs on the fifth-generation Cherokee have been eliminated, as the latest model relies heavily on the infotainment system. However, there are still dedicated climate control buttons, as well as a few buttons for vehicle features. Even the door handles have been eliminated, replaced with “digital latches.” Despite its more luxurious look, the Cherokee has kept its leather use to a minimum as part of its eco-friendly efforts, replacing the premium material with Capri vinyl. It looks nice and has a unique perforated pattern on the Overland trim, but it doesn’t compare to real leather. The crossover also uses a variety of recycled materials. Power comes from a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 177 horsepower and 220 pound-feet of torque. It's powered by a hybrid system that includes two electric motors, an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission, and a 1.08kWh lithium-ion battery. This setup gives the crossover a total output of 210 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque. That's significantly more than the outgoing 2.4-liter four-cylinder.
The hybrid powertrain is paired with standard all-wheel drive with rear-axle shut-off to maximize efficiency. This allows the crossover to achieve fuel economy of 5.6 l/100km in the city, 7.13 l/100km on the highway and 6.35 l/100km combined. A host of driver assistance systems are standard, including Active Driving Assist, which combines adaptive cruise control with lane keeping. Customers will also find intersection collision assist, rear park assist with automatic emergency braking and blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic detection. The 2026 Cherokee starts at just $36,995, including a $1,995 destination fee. Deliveries are scheduled to begin later this year, with the initial focus being on the Limited and Overland trims. The cheaper Cherokee and Laredo trims will follow in early 2026, all imported from Toluca, Mexico.
Video : Introducing the new 2026 Jeep Cherokee SUV.
Báo Khoa học và Đời sống•24/08/2025
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