2026 Jeep Cherokee vs 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2026 Jeep Cherokee, with its new KM model, aimed to evoke nostalgia by adopting a boxy shape reminiscent of the classic XJ Cherokee from the 1980s and 1990s. However, in a market saturated with rugged-looking crossovers, the Cherokee's design came across as somewhat generic. Even its iconic seven-slot grille seemed to lack the authenticity of its predecessors. The rear design was more successful, blending an XJ-like profile with aerodynamic elements and distinctive taillights. The Cherokee's proportions were well-suited for a compact SUV, sharing the Stellantis STLA Large platform with other models like the Dodge Charger and Jeep Wagoneer S.

The Cherokee offered a consistent appearance across its trim levels, with the Overland trim featuring 20-inch wheels compared to the 18-inch wheels on other trims. Inside, the Cherokee's interior varied by trim, with cloth upholstery on lower trims and leatherette seats on the Limited and Overland trims. Jeep emphasized environmental consciousness by using recycled materials in the interior. The dashboard, primarily plastic, avoided smudge-prone finishes, and the interior design exceeded expectations with its stylish concave dashboard and rotary shifter.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid pursued a conservative design, drawing inspiration from the popular RAV4. This approach resulted in a vehicle that resembled a larger RAV4, offering seating for up to eight and ample cargo space. The Grand Highlander's interior prioritized function over form, with a touch of luxury in the Platinum trim. While glossy hard plastics and unlined storage surfaces were present, the controls were logically laid out, and the overall material quality was decent.

The climate system in the Grand Highlander was user-friendly, featuring large temperature-adjustment knobs. However, the infotainment interface had its quirks, with a small volume knob and no tuning knob. Despite these minor issues, the Grand Highlander provided a comfortable and practical interior, making it a strong contender in the three-row SUV segment.

The 2026 Jeep Cherokee's performance specs initially seemed uncharacteristic for a Jeep. It featured a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a two-motor hybrid system, delivering 210 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque. This placed it between the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4 hybrids in terms of power. The standard all-wheel-drive system was basic by Jeep standards, lacking a center differential and relying on a clutch-based rear-axle disconnect system for improved fuel economy. Jeep's Selec-Terrain drive modes and best-in-class approach and departure angles enhanced its off-road capabilities, although the planned off-roading test was canceled due to weather conditions.

The Cherokee's hybrid system impressed with its smooth transition between gasoline and electric power, comparable to Toyota and Honda hybrids. The vehicle was quiet and comfortable, though not particularly agile in corners. The steering had some play, requiring adjustments through the touchscreen, and regenerative braking was limited. Despite these drawbacks, the Cherokee offered a comfortable driving experience.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max prioritized performance with its turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD, producing 362 horsepower. This setup allowed the Grand Highlander to accelerate quickly, aided by a traditional six-speed automatic transmission. While the Hybrid Max sacrificed some fuel efficiency, achieving 27 mpg compared to the standard hybrid's 36 mpg, it offered a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds.

During testing, the Hybrid Max achieved 26 mpg on a balanced city and highway route and 23.3 mpg on a mountainous evaluation loop. The powertrain's acceleration was impressive, with electric motors eliminating turbo lag. The Grand Highlander provided a soft, isolating ride, though it exhibited some vertical and lateral movement on uneven surfaces. Handling was secure but limited, with early tire squeal and understeer in corners. Visibility was excellent, aided by cameras, though the front camera's frequent screen takeover was a minor annoyance.

The 2026 Jeep Cherokee offered competitive headroom and legroom for front-seat passengers compared to rivals like the Subaru Forester and Kia Sportage hybrids. However, forward visibility was slightly hindered by a deep dashboard and steeply raked windshield. The seats were comfortable, though wedged between a wide center console and door pockets. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed similar headroom, but competitors provided more legroom. Cargo space was limited, with 33.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 68.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Cherokee's 3,500-pound towing capacity was impressive, matching certain Toyota RAV4 Hybrid versions.

The dashboard was uncluttered, with analog controls for essential functions. However, some buttons were hard to locate, and touch sensors for climate controls lacked feedback, making them challenging to use while driving.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered comfortable seating in all three rows, with nearly 100 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. However, unlined storage locations contributed to noise and vibration, and underfloor storage behind the third-row seat was limited. The Platinum trim featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, adding a touch of luxury.

The Grand Highlander's rear doors were long and required ample space to open, posing challenges for parents with small children. The second-row captain's chairs provided flexibility, with a removable center console and easy access to the third row. The rearmost seats were reasonably comfortable for adults and tall teens, with ample crush space for safety. Cargo space was generous, with 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.5 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2026 Jeep Cherokee came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, running the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with USB-C ports for front and rear passengers. Wireless device charging was available on Limited and Overland models. The Uconnect 5 system was stable and upgradable via over-the-air updates, with 10 years of support.

However, the digital instrument cluster's graphics were plain, and vehicle settings were split between the touchscreen and dashboard buttons, causing some confusion. The native navigation system in the Overland trim was laggy compared to Android Auto, and there was little difference between the audio systems in lower and higher trims.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured a 7-inch digital driver display in LE and XLE trims, while higher trims received a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel. All models had a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music accounts. Toyota Connected Services provided features like a Wi-Fi hotspot, automatic collision notification, and a digital voice assistant.

The infotainment system was user-friendly, though it lacked the ability to display multiple main-menu screens simultaneously. The digital voice assistant responded accurately to commands, enhancing the user experience. The Platinum trim included a head-up display, digital rear-view mirror, and surround-view camera system. The JBL premium audio system delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2026 Jeep Cherokee offered standard driver-assistance features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality. Active Driving Assist, combining lane centering with adaptive cruise control, was also standard. Traffic-sign recognition was included on the Overland model, and a surround-view camera system was available. Crash test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of writing.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features and driver-assistance technologies. Lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise control provided a high level of automation, though not hands-free operation. Proactive Driving Assist, which automatically brakes and steers, was standard but could be irritating in certain situations.

The Grand Highlander's safety tech operated accurately, though the lane-keep assist occasionally strayed too close to lane markers. The camera system's screen takeover at intersections was more annoying than helpful. The Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but fell short of the IIHS Top Safety Pick rating due to "Acceptable" ratings for headlight performance and small overlap frontal-impact protection.