Elk Grove Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM
Elk Grove Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram · Cherokee Research
The 2026 Cherokee is Jeep's first hybrid-only model. It is not a plug-in, and it fuels up like any other SUV. Here is how the system works, what the EPA ratings mean in daily driving around Sacramento, and how far a tank really goes.
| Component | What it is |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.6L turbocharged, direct-injected I4: 177 hp and 221 lb-ft on its own |
| Electric motors | Two, working with the engine through the transmission |
| Transmission | eCVT, a power-split hybrid transmission (not an 8-speed) |
| Battery | 400-volt, 1.03 kWh NCM |
| Combined output | 210 hp / 230 lb-ft |
| Fuel | Regular 87 octane |
A power-split eCVT blends engine and motor power continuously instead of stepping through fixed gears. At low speeds and in light traffic the motors do much of the work, and when you lift off or brake, a motor acts as a generator and puts energy back into the battery. The engine and hybrid system are built at Jeep's Dundee Engine Plant in Michigan.
The Cherokee is a conventional, self-charging hybrid. Its battery is small, at 1.03 kWh, because it is designed to store braking energy and assist the engine, not to drive long distances on electricity alone. There is no charge port, no cord and no home charger to install. You fill up with regular gas and drive.
That also means its fuel economy doesn't depend on whether you charged overnight. The mpg you see on a weekend road trip is driven by the same system that runs your weekday commute.
The Cherokee is rated 39 mpg in the city and 35 on the highway. That is the opposite of most gas-only SUVs, and it comes from how hybrids work. In stop-and-go driving, the motors handle low-speed pulling and regenerative braking recovers energy every time you slow down. At a steady highway speed there is less braking to recover and the engine carries more of the load, while aerodynamic drag rises. The Cherokee's drag coefficient is 0.335, and it weighs 4,295 lb.
For an Elk Grove commuter, that matters. Rush-hour I-5 into downtown Sacramento plays to the hybrid's strengths. A wide-open highway cruise at speed is where you will see numbers closer to the 35 mpg highway rating, or below it.
Jeep estimates over 500 miles of range on a single tank. EPA does not publish a range figure for this hybrid, but the math is simple: tank size multiplied by mpg.
| Driving mix | EPA mpg | 13.7 gal x mpg |
|---|---|---|
| Mostly city and stop-and-go | 39 | About 534 miles |
| Combined | 37 | About 507 miles |
| Mostly steady highway | 35 | About 480 miles |
Simple arithmetic from EPA ratings and the 13.7-gal tank, not official range figures. Nobody should plan to run the tank dry, and your results will vary with speed, temperature, load, terrain and tires.
For context, the gas-only 2026 Jeep Compass is EPA-rated at 26 mpg combined, so the Cherokee's 37 is about 11 mpg better. Among hybrid rivals the picture is closer; see how it stacks up in our Cherokee vs RAV4 vs CR-V comparison.
EPA rates it at 39 mpg city, 35 highway and 37 combined.
No. It is a conventional self-charging hybrid. The 1.03 kWh battery recharges from the engine and regenerative braking, and there is no charge port.
Jeep estimates over 500 miles on the 13.7-gallon tank. Actual range depends on your driving mix, speed and conditions.
In stop-and-go driving the electric motors do more of the work and regenerative braking recovers energy. At steady highway speeds there is less braking to recover and more aerodynamic drag.
Regular 87-octane gasoline.
The system is designed to limit that. Jeep Active Drive I runs in 4x2 with the rear axle fully disconnected and engages 4x4 automatically when it is needed. The 37 mpg combined rating applies to the 4x4 Cherokee.
An eCVT, a power-split hybrid transmission. It is not an 8-speed automatic.
Elk Grove Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram · 8575 Laguna Grove Dr, Elk Grove, CA 95757 · Sales 916-892-0515
*Specifications are based on Jeep's 2026 information unless noted and may change. EPA-estimated fuel economy; actual mileage will vary with driving habits, conditions and vehicle condition. Range is a Jeep estimate. Towing requires proper equipment; passengers and cargo reduce towing capacity. Pricing on in-stock vehicles excludes government fees and taxes, any finance charges, dealer document processing charge and emission testing charge. Contact Elk Grove Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram for current pricing and availability.