2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee front three-quarter viewJeepThe Jeep Grand Cherokee has always put off some luxury vibes, joining the Jeep stable in 1993 as a step up from the legendary XJ Cherokee and as a replacement for the then-ancient Wagoneer. Refreshed for the 2026 model, the Grand Cherokee remains charismatic and capable, but the luxury is reaching another level.I tested the 2026 Grand Cherokee Summit for a week earlier this summer that stickered for $66,585, including destination charges and a few options like hands-free driving assist. I was impressed by the sumptuous interior, but found the new turbocharged four-cylinder engine to be mediocre. Let's break it down:The Interior Review: Truly The Summit2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee interiorThe cabin is gorgeous and befitting the price tag. I liked the quilted leather with a double stitching pattern and the wood trim for the upper parts of the door panels. There's black accents across the dashboard, a black steering wheel and shiny black accents which pop against the tan leather that Jeep calls Tupelo. Honey, indeed.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Uconnect 5-powered infotainment system measures 12.3 inches and is colorful and easy-to-use. The passenger also gets a 10.25-inch screen, which felt unnecessary to me. Still, Jeep does a nice job of integrating screens into the Grand Cherokee's instrument panel while maintaining a traditional layout. I prefer this to the all-digital, all-screen approach favored by some brands like Lincoln. Jeep does dabble with some haptic controls instead of actual buttons inside the Grand Cherokee. In simple terms, haptic switches provide feedback without the mechanical movement. Jeep isn't alone in trying this middle ground (hello Rivian) but I don't think anyone actually wants this feature.You're going to like how you feel in the Grand Cherokee, as Jeep has some of the best massaging seats in the biz.Still, you're going to like how you feel in the Grand Cherokee, as Jeep has some of the best massaging seats in the biz. I rank them up there with Mercedes massagers, perhaps a bit better even. I liked the waterfall setting. You can also mellow out to your favorite tunes conducted through the 19-speaker McIntosh sound system, another creature comfort standard on the Summit trim.The Hurricane MissesThe all-new 2.0-liter Hurricane 4 Turbo I-4 engine.While it sounds like I'm drooling over its Grand Cherokee, which would be a shame given its buttery leather interior, I don't love its new feature: The Hurricane 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine. The Hurricane (great name right?) puts out 324 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, excellent figures for the segment and more than enough power for the Grand Cherokee. But the way that power was delivered felt less than luxurious. Perhaps some of the blame lies with the eight-speed automatic transmission (which I typically like in Stellantis vehicles), but the powertrain felt labored at times. I'm not alone in that thinking. Maximum torque is offered in the middle of the band, from 3,000 to 4,500 rpm, a common trait for turbo fours. It adds punch but also makes the experience feel uneven. At one point my wandering mind briefly thought this thing had a diesel, which the Grand Cherokee occasionally has offered over its long history.Buyers might actually prefer the traditional Pentastar V6 engine rated at 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque for family hauling duty. The V6 isn't available on the higher Grand Cherokee trims, like the Summit, which means you can only hope for the return of the Hemi V8. Or perhaps Stellantis finds a way to wedge in another Hurricane engine, the inline six, into the Grand Cherokee. Regardless, the turbo doesn't afford this SUV the luxurious power it deservesMy Verdict:2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee rear three-quarter viewOverall, I like the Grand Cherokee quite a bit. The Summit trim offers premium features and a handsome interior. The exterior styling is evolutionary, but attractive. It looks the part and that's fine. Slotted between the Cherokee and Grand Wagoneer in the Jeep hierarchy, the Grand Cherokee is a hugely important SUV for the brand. The 2026 redesign gets it mostly right, though the Hurricane four-cylinder engine feels like an odd fit. Sure, it's potent and gives this Jeep an energy most other midsize SUVs lack. But the Grand Cherokee Summit isn't cheap, and a smoother engine would be more fitting.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis article was originally published on Forbes.com