The Jeep Grand Cherokee is an icon in the world of family-friendly SUVs, but it has also been the brand’s most balanced offering with equal part off-road capability. For 2026, though, Jeep made a bold move: it replaced the familiar V6 with a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine in higher trims like the top-tier Summit. This kind of change is expected and Jeep isn’t the only one that’s done away with its less-miserly motors.
Amos Kwon
The new turbocharged 4-cylinder engine delivers more power than the old V6 while improving efficiency. The Summit trim also offers a genuinely premium interior with strong comfort and usability. It easily eclipses the last generation Grand Cherokee with digs that hold up to, or exceed, much of the competition.
My tester’s base price was $60,600. Standard feature highlights included the Quadra-Grac II 4WD system, Selec-Terrain System, Quadra-Lift Air Suspension, electronic limisted-slip differential rear axle, a hands-free power liftgate, 21-inch aluminum alloy wheels, Palmero leather seats, Uconnect 5 Nav with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a front passenger interactive display, 19-speaker premium audio, Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a wireless charging deck, power front seats with massage/heat/ventilation, heated/ventilated second-row seats, 4-zone automatic climate control, multi-color ambient interior lighting, adn 4G LTE Wi-Fi. The total price came to $66,585 including options and a $1,995 destination fee.
Amos Kwon
The Grand Cherokee still bears the iconic shape but ups the refinement. The Grand Cherokee exhibits upscale design with subtle updates for 2026, including revised lighting and a slightly sharper front fascia. It still looks like a proper Jeep SUV—square-shouldered, signature seven-slat grille, a clamshell hood, and now a floating roof with two-tone paint as an option. The front fascia manages to be aggressive and attractive without being overly busy.
Amos Kwon
Amos Kwon
Amos Kwon
Amos Kwon
The profile is attractive with simple body creases and square-off fender trim. The floating roof is an interesting styling feature that’s often found on premium SUVs like the Lexus RX and the Infiniti QX60. It definitely adds polish to the Grand Cherokee, especially with the black roof. The rear is rather undramatic but handsome, nonetheless. Simple taillights unified by a black trim bar complete a liftgate that’s cohesive with the rest of the Grand Cherokee.
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Step inside, and the Summit trim immediately separates itself from lower models. This is where Jeep goes all-in on luxury. Matte wood trim on the dash and door, diamond-quilted stitching on the leather seats and door card, and brushed metal pieces complete the upscale look. The overuse of piano black on the center console is a disappointment only because it’s such a dust and fingerprint magnet.
Amos Kwon
Amos Kwon
Amos Kwon
Amos Kwon
A large central touchscreen anchors the dashboard, complemented by a digital instrument cluster and an optional passenger display, which is nicely integrated into the dash. The setup doesn’t overwhelm the cabin, and that’s the way we like it. Unlike some competitors, Jeep avoids overcomplicating things. This is a cabin that looks expensive, and the Grand Cherokee easily holds its own against competitors.
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Jeep’s Uconnect 5 system remains one of the most user-friendly interfaces in the segment, and in the 2026 Grand Cherokee, it’s better than ever. A 12.3-inch touchscreen comes standard, bringing sharper graphics and faster response times. The vertical menu on the left-hand portion of the screen is similar to so many systems today, and it works well to keep things organized and easily accessible. Haptic controls for seat heat and ventilation flank the screen and respond well to inputs. The climate control touch panel below is attractive, but we prefer touch controls like the row of system controls atop the screen.
Amos Kwon
The optional front passenger display is a versatile feature that even premium European brands don’t always offer. The system can utilize the HDMI port in the center console to connect devices for mirroring. You can also watch streaming video from your phone, play a handheld video game that projects onto the screen, and even control audio and video to optional second-row screens.
Amos Kwon
Amos Kwon
The Summit trim also piles on the extras. You get features like a premium McIntosh audio system with its 950-watt amplifier. It provides rich, full sound with excellent adjustability. The Summit also comes with a 360 surround-view camera, Drowsy Driver Detection, Active Lane Management, a Trailer-Tow Package (6,200-pound towing capability), full speed adaptive cruise control, Active Lane Management, and Active Driving Assist. The Summit trim is properly tech-forward and offers up the best of what Jeep has in its tech and safety arsenal.
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Amos Kwon
Both rows of seats are excellent. The front bucket seats are luxurious, properly cushioned, and supportive. The adjustability is also very good, and I had no trouble getting my 6′, 200-lb frame comfortably in a good seating position. Visibility is also very good all around. The rear seats provide 38.2 inches of legroom, as well as as decent middle position without too much seatrest bulge. Soft touch points abound, and hard plastics are kept at bay. The volume knob for audio is hidden by the steering wheel, but muscle memory kicks in after a few days.
Amos Kwon
The Grand Cherokee Summit’s ride is smooth, quiet, and composed, even over rough pavement. The available air suspension plays a big role here, helping the SUV glide over imperfections while also adjusting ride height for different driving conditions. Whether you’re on the highway or navigating uneven terrain, the suspension adapts seamlessly. The cabin also remains impressively insulated from road and wind noise, giving it a near-luxury-level sense of refinement.
Amos Kwon
Cargo space is also strong, with 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 70.8 cubic feet with seats folded flat. The load floor is a reasonable height, and it’s flat and wide for packing in your precious gear or bulky items. It is less than the space in the Kia Telluride and the Toyota Highlander, but it’s plenty for a family of five for groceries, sports activities, and road trips. I don’t like the placement of the liftgate close button on the inside of the D-pillar, which entail you ducking out of the way or to the side after pressing it. It’s more intuitive on the lower lip of the inside of the liftgate, the way 99% of the industry does it.
Amos Kwon
The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit replaces the old V6 with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, and it’s far more capable than its size suggests. It produces a robust 324 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque—numbers that actually exceed the outgoing V6. What I didn’t like about the system was the sluggish 8-speed automatic transmission that was slow to downshift in crucial situations (left-hand turn into traffic). Even in Sport mode, the response was lackluster.
Amos Kwon
Speaking of Sport mode, it’s the choppiest setting. The transmission downshifts late, and then then you feel the thrust jump like a jackrabbit. It’s not especially smooth. In the right situations (30-60 mph) it translates to strong, immediate acceleration. It’s got the midrange down, but off the line and and the low end, it feels unpredictable. Handling is solid for a vehicle of this size. It’s not sporty, but it’s controlled and predictable, with steering that offers decent feedback. The SUV’s weight is noticeable, but it never feels unwieldy.
And when you take it off the pavement, it still behaves like a Jeep. With available 4WD systems and terrain modes, it retains real off-road capability—something many luxury SUVs can’t match.
The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit reveals how Jeep has gone upscale without overdoing it (ahem, Grand Wagoneer). The new turbo four is powerful, but the 8-speed automatic could use some ironing out. Aside from that, the total package is very compelling thanks to stunning tech, opulent digs, and ample space for five. Combined with the Summit’s premium interior, advanced tech, and genuine capability, it creates a package that’s hard to fault.
Amos is an automotive editor and writer with a decade of experience in the industry. He has served as the automotive editor for prominent lifestyle publications such as Gear Patrol and Cool Material, with his work also appearing in Askmen, Inside Hook, and Fatherly. His analysis is informed by a lifelong passion for cars and extensive hands-on experience with high-performance vehicles on both road and track. He lives in the suburbs of Chicago.
