New SUV lining up Toyota RAV4?: Is the 2026 Jeep Cherokee set for an Australian comeback to take on medium SUV players like the Hyundai Tucson, GWM Haval H6, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5 and Mitsubishi Outlander?

Its predecessor departed Australian showrooms following the end of right-hand drive production in late 2022. But now, price and spec details for the all-new 2026 Jeep Cherokee have been confirmed in the US, sparking the possibility of a local comeback for the mid-size, five-seat 4WD SUV.

First seen in May this year, we now know the sixth-generation Cherokee features a hybrid powertrain combining a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol, four-cylinder engine with dual electric motors, with outputs of 157kW/312Nm, combined cycle fuel use of 6.4L/100km and a range in excess of 800km.

Retaining the proportions of the prior, fifth-gen Cherokee, this all-new model appears to borrow design cues from its smaller Compass and Avenger stablemates, with a contemporary look retaining signature Jeep elements like the seven-slot grille, squared-off wheel arches and jerry-can-inspired tail-lights.

Claimed to deliver more interior space, including a 30 per cent bigger boot, standard equipment for North America includes a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, rain-sensing wipers, auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist identification, ‘Intersection Collision Assist’, blind-spot monitoring, driver attention detection, adaptive cruise control and ‘Rear Park Assist’ (with rear AEB).

Also standard in the US is 10 years’ over-the-air updates for Stellantis’ ‘Connect One’ connected services package; the Jeep-branded smartphone app-based system able to control vehicle functions, send automatic SOS calls and more.

From a technical point-of-view, Jeep’s ‘Active Drive’ 4x4 system, including rear-axle disconnect, is standard, as is ‘Selec-Terrain’ traction management with four driving modes - ‘Auto’, ‘Sport’, ‘Snow’ and ‘Sand/Mud’.

For determined off-roaders, the new Cherokee’s approach angle is 19.6 degrees, departure is 29.4 degrees and breakover angle is 18.8 degrees with 203mm of ground clearance.

The 2026 Cherokee is offered across four grades in its home market, with the entry-level Cherokee starting at US$36,995, followed by the Laredo (US$39,995), Limited (US$42,495) and Overland (US$45,995).

On a straight currency conversion, those prices translate to ~A$57,000, ~A$61,700, ~A$65,500 and A$70,100, respectively.

Entering the red-hot medium SUV category against the dominant Toyota RAV4, as well as the likes of the Hyundai Tucson, GWM Haval H6, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander, Subaru Forester and others means the price pencil would have to be sharpened to a finer point for the new Cherokee to succeed here

Domestic on-sale for the base Cherokee and next-step-up Laredo is scheduled for early 2026, while the upper Limited and Overland grades will be available for delivery before the end of this year.

The Cherokee’s hybrid powertrain is being produced at Stellantis’ Dundee engine plant, south-west of Detroit, Michigan in the US, while the car will be built at its Toluca assembly plant outside Mexico City, Mexico.

When contacted for comment, a Stellantis Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide the new Jeep Cherokee has not been confirmed for local sale and remains under evaluation.