The Ford Explorer just received its latest mid-cycle refresh for the 2025 model year, which brought forth a variety of updates including exterior styling revisions, a redesigned dashboard, a larger 13.2-inch infotainment screen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, along with the relatively new Ford Digital Experience software. At the moment, the Explorer is reportedly in line to receive a more comprehensive redesign in 2029, but in the meantime, it's getting an updated rival in the form of the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee also represents a mid-cycle refresh, albeit, one with some rather notable updates. The exterior styling isn't radically different, but the SUV does feature a revised front fascia with revamped LED running light designs. It will continue to be offered in both standard and long-wheelbase three-row L guise, with trim levels consisting of Laredo, Limited, Trailhawk, and Summit, accompanied by three new exterior color options - Steel Blue, Fathom Blue, and Copper Shino.
Inside, the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee features a larger 12.3-inch infotainment screen compared to the old 10.1-inch unit. The more luxurious Summit Reserve gets a variety of niceties like Palermo leather upholstery, oak interior trim, and a 19-speaker McIntosh sound system, too.
Perhaps the most significant update present in the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee, however, pertains to what lies under the hood. The regular old 3.6L V6 Pentastar will continue to be offered, as is the case with the 4xe and its plug-in hybrid powertrain. However, the SUV is getting a brand new, turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder Hurricane engine as well, sharing a moniker with its larger, inline-six Hurricane brethren.
This new, smaller Hurricane is a DOHC powerplant that generates 324 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, running on 87-octane fuel, to boot, and is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, like the rest of the lineup. As far as pricing for the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee goes, that hasn't been released yet, but the updated SUV is expected go on sale very soon.
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