The Jeep Grand Cherokee lineup has mostly stayed the course since its 2021 redesign, but that’s about to change with some big updates coming down the pike for the 2026 model year. Ford Authority recently spotted a refreshed 2026 Grand Cherokee and Cherokee L sporting light camo undergoing testing, showing us what’s on the way for the Ford Explorer rival.
The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee represents a midcycle refresh for the crossover, bringing notable updates both inside and out. It’s been treated to a revamped face, gaining an all-new grille design. While it maintains Jeep’s iconic vertical grille slots, the 2026 Grand Cherokee gets a narrower design that’s slimmer than its predecessor. The dividers themselves are slightly recessed, lending a more three-dimensional look to the grille.
The lower portion of the front fascia have been reworked, too, featuring a set of redesigned air intakes arranged in two tiers, deviating from its predecessor’s single large lower intake. This gives its front end a more blunt, commanding look overall.
The changes don’t stop with the exterior – the interior gets its own set of updates, too. This includes a revised cockpit, featuring a massive infotainment screen mounted in the center stack, although the addition of said screen necessitated the removal of several physical buttons and switches found on the pre-refresh model. Notably, the physical HVAC controls are completely absent, relocated to selections on the vehicle’s touch screen. There are physical knobs visible, but these are likely for control of the audio system rather than HVAC controls.
Under the hood, the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee will likely retain the same engine lineup as its predecessor. That includes the plug-in hybrid powertrain found in the 4XE PHEV trim, utilizing an electrically assisted turbocharged 2.0L I4 engine, making 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. That’s something that the Ford Explorer doesn’t have, but Ford CEO Jim Farley says that he’s interested in adding beefed-up hybrids to the lineup, along with extended-range electric vehicles to boot. At this point, it is unclear if the Explorer will receive a regular full-hybrid, plug-in hybrid, EREV powertrain, or multiple different setups. But the venerable nameplate is almost certainly guaranteed to get some type of electrified variant in the future.
The refreshed 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee might be a threat to the refreshed Ford Explorer – which began shipping to dealers last year and has a hold on its competitive segment. During Q4 2024, the Explorer led its bracket, selling 27,295 units. Moreover, the Explorer lineup is getting the Tremor variant soon, promising a more off-road-focused, aggressive ride.
Comments
And who thought that looks good? Hit and run on a roll of wallpaper?
Do you not know what vehicle camo is?