Iconic car is back from the scrap heap: Can the 2026 jeep Cherokee mid-size SUV, with the promise of both hybrid and fully electric power, re-invigorate embattled off-road brand and better rival the Subaru Forester or GWM Haval H7?

Jeep has revealed the latest generation of its Cherokee mid-size SUV, more than two years after the previous version ended production.

It features styling that more strongly references earlier versions of the nameplate, rather than the more mainstream styling of the previous version.

The new Cherokee is also promised by the brand to be available in combustion, plug-in hybrid, plugless hybrid and fully electric forms, as the embattled automaker seeks to re-invigorate its line-up.

It also said the new ground-up Cherokee will maintain the brand’s “unmatched Jeep capability”, hinting at additional off-road prowess compared to most mid-size SUVs.

This would place it to best rival other ambitious soft-roaders: the Subaru Forester or incoming GWM Haval H7.

In Jeep’s line-up it will continue to be placed between the also-recently-revealed new-generation Compass and the recently-axed-in-Australia Grand Cherokee.

No specifications were confirmed by the brand to accompany the first official pictures, but the new Cherokee will grow in size and migrate onto the STLA Large platform of Jeep’s Stellantis parent company.

This platform already underpins the Grand Cherokee and fully electric Wagoneer S, and is expected to also underpin other upcoming and important vehicles from the group, including the Alfa Romeo Stelvio.

This platform offers a hint at potential power choices, which include a 3.0-litre ‘Hurricane’ inline six (310kW/635Nm) or the fully electric dual-motor set-up featured in the Wagoneer S that produces a combined 373kW/705Nm.

It wouldn't be surprising to see the Grand Cherokee’s 4xe layout feature, which combines a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined output of 280kW.

In bad news for local Jeep fans, the brand’s Australian team confirmed to CarsGuide the new Cherokee isn’t currently in the plans for the Australian market, with its focus being on left-hand drive production for the time being.

The same fate befell the Grand Cherokee, with Jeep choosing to end production of right-hand drive examples, axing the slow-selling new-generation version from the Australian market earlier this year.

This reduces Jeep’s current range to the Avenger small electric SUV, outgoing Compass mid-sizer, the iconic Wrangler off-roader and Gladiator ute.

Jeep’s Australian representatives confirmed the new-generation version of the Compass would be landing in Australia, and there was still the possibility of the Recon arriving as an electric alternative to the Wrangler.

Jeep is continuing to struggle in 2025, moving just 130 units in the first four months of this year. It is no doubt hoping the new Compass and Recon will renew interest in its line-up, which is now missing its once-strong-selling Grand Cherokee, and will continue to be let down with no large or mid-size offering in the mainstream segment.