Sport Durst CDJR | Durham, NC
2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trim Levels Compared
Six trims. Two engines. One legendary nameplate. Here is exactly what separates the Laredo from the Summit so you can stop guessing and start driving.
6Trims
$40,410Starting MSRP
324 HPHurricane I4 Engine
6,200 lbsMax Towing*
The Full Lineup
2026 Grand Cherokee: All Six Trims Side by Side
Starting MSRP as of model year 2026. Confirm current pricing with Sport Durst CDJR in Durham.
Laredo
Starting at ~$40,410*
3.6L V6 | 293 HPEPA est. 19 city / 26 hwy (4x2)
- 8.4-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen
- Wireless Apple CarPlay + Android Auto
- Full safety suite standard
- Cloth/leatherette seating
- 17-inch aluminum wheels
Laredo X
Starting at ~$42,000*
3.6L V6 | 293 HPEPA est. 19 city / 26 hwy (4x2)
- All Laredo features
- Panoramic power sunroof
- Heated front seats
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Power liftgate
Best Value
Laredo Altitude
Starting at ~$43,500*
2.0L Hurricane I4 | 324 HPEPA est. 21 city / 30 hwy (4x2)
- First trim with Hurricane Turbo I4
- 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 NAV
- Active Driving Assist (semi-auto)
- Black exterior sport trim
- Leatherette seating
Limited
Starting at ~$47,500*
2.0L Hurricane I4 | 324 HPEPA est. 21 city / 30 hwy
- 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 NAV
- Heated front and rear seats
- Heated steering wheel
- 9-speaker premium audio
- Quadra-Trac I 4WD standard
Limited Reserve
Starting at ~$52,500*
2.0L Hurricane I4 | 324 HPEPA est. 21 city / 30 hwy
- Nappa leather upholstery
- Dual-pane panoramic sunroof
- Surround-view camera system
- 20-inch polished aluminum wheels
- Night vision camera available
Summit
Starting at ~$60,195*
2.0L Hurricane I4 | 324 HPEPA est. ~22 city / 30 hwy
- Palermo leather interior
- 19-speaker McIntosh audio
- 21-inch polished wheels
- Quadra-Drive II with e-LSD
- Height-adjustable air suspension
*Starting MSRP as of model year 2026. Pricing subject to change. Excludes taxes, title, license, and dealer fees. EPA fuel economy estimates for comparison purposes only. Actual mileage will vary. See dealer for details.
About the 2026 Grand Cherokee
The Grand Cherokee Gets a New Engine and a New Attitude
The 2026 Grand Cherokee arrives with a change that would have been unthinkable a decade ago: a four-cylinder engine now powers the middle and upper trims. Specifically, the new 2.0L Hurricane Turbo I4 produces 324 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, outgunning the 3.6L V6 it replaces. The Laredo and Laredo X keep the V6. Everyone from the Laredo Altitude up gets the Hurricane.
For Durham families who live on I-40 and the Durham-Chapel Hill corridor, that engine switch matters. The Hurricane delivers better fuel economy than the V6 while making more power, which means fewer fill-ups on the way to Jordan Lake or the Blue Ridge Parkway without giving anything up at the on-ramp. The rest of the lineup follows the same pattern: the higher you go, the more the cabin starts to feel like a luxury vehicle rather than a utility one. Whether you land on the Laredo Altitude or the Summit, you are buying into the same 37.7 cu ft of cargo space and 6,200 lbs of towing capacity when properly equipped. What changes is how comfortable the journey is.
Sport Durst Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM stocks the full Grand Cherokee lineup at 4511 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. Browse inventory online or call (919) 873-4578 to check current availability and schedule a test drive.
The Big Choices
Three Questions That Will Pick Your Trim
Do you want the Hurricane engine?
The 2.0L Hurricane Turbo I4 delivers 324 hp versus the V6's 293 hp, and it does it more efficiently. If you want that engine, your lowest entry point is the Laredo Altitude at approximately $43,500.
Get Hurricane: Laredo Altitude or above
Do you want 4WD standard?
The Laredo, Laredo X, and Laredo Altitude are offered in 4x2 or 4WD (4WD adds approximately $2,000). From the Limited up, 4WD is standard. If you head to the mountains or deal with Triangle ice storms, choose accordingly.
4WD standard: Limited and above
How much comfort do you want?
The Limited is where the interior genuinely steps up: heated front and rear seats, heated steering wheel, and genuine leather. The Limited Reserve adds Nappa leather and a dual-pane sunroof. The Summit is where McIntosh audio and Quadra-Drive II live.
Luxury step-up: Limited Reserve or Summit
Full Breakdown
Spec Comparison: All Six Trims
Use the tabs to filter by category. All figures from manufacturer specifications; confirm at jeep.com/grand-cherokee/specs.html.
| Feature | Laredo | Laredo X | Laredo Altitude | Limited | Limited Reserve | Summit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | ~$40,410 | ~$42,000 | ~$43,500 | ~$47,500 | ~$52,500 | ~$60,195 |
| Drivetrain | 4x2 / 4WD | 4x2 / 4WD | 4x2 / 4WD | 4WD Std | 4WD Std | Quadra-Drive II |
| Seating | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Towing (when properly equipped) | 6,200 lbs | 6,200 lbs | 6,200 lbs | 6,200 lbs | 6,200 lbs | 6,200 lbs |
| Cargo (seats up) | 37.7 cu ft | 37.7 cu ft | 37.7 cu ft | 37.7 cu ft | 37.7 cu ft | 37.7 cu ft |
| Cargo (max) | 70.8 cu ft | 70.8 cu ft | 70.8 cu ft | 70.8 cu ft | 70.8 cu ft | 70.8 cu ft |
| Ground Clearance | 10.9 in | 10.9 in | 10.9 in | 10.9 in | 10.9 in | Up to 11.4 in (air susp.) |
| Spec | Laredo | Laredo X | Laredo Altitude | Limited | Limited Reserve | Summit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.6L V6 | 3.6L V6 | 2.0L Hurricane I4 Turbo | 2.0L Hurricane I4 Turbo | 2.0L Hurricane I4 Turbo | 2.0L Hurricane I4 Turbo |
| Horsepower | 293 hp | 293 hp | 324 hp | 324 hp | 324 hp | 324 hp |
| Torque | 260 lb-ft | 260 lb-ft | 332 lb-ft | 332 lb-ft | 332 lb-ft | 332 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed auto | 8-speed auto | 8-speed auto | 8-speed auto | 8-speed auto | 8-speed auto |
| EPA City MPG (est.) | 19 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 |
| EPA Hwy MPG (est.) | 26 | 26 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| 4WD System | Quadra-Trac I (opt) | Quadra-Trac I (opt) | Quadra-Trac I (opt) | Quadra-Trac I std | Quadra-Trac I std | Quadra-Drive II std |
| Feature | Laredo | Laredo X | Laredo Altitude | Limited | Limited Reserve | Summit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Touchscreen | 8.4 in | 8.4 in | 12.3 in | 12.3 in | 12.3 in | 12.3 in |
| Built-in Navigation | Opt. | Opt. | ||||
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | ||||||
| Wireless Android Auto | ||||||
| Wireless Charging | Opt. | Opt. | ||||
| Audio System | 6-speaker | 6-speaker | 9-speaker | 9-speaker | 9-speaker | McIntosh 19-spk |
| OTA Software Updates | ||||||
| Night Vision Camera | Opt. | Opt. |
| Feature | Laredo | Laredo X | Laredo Altitude | Limited | Limited Reserve | Summit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision Warning | ||||||
| Auto Emergency Braking | ||||||
| Blind Spot Monitoring | ||||||
| Rear Cross-Traffic Alert | ||||||
| Lane Keeping Assist | ||||||
| Adaptive Cruise Control | Opt. | Opt. | ||||
| Active Driving Assist | ||||||
| Surround-View Camera |
| Feature | Laredo | Laredo X | Laredo Altitude | Limited | Limited Reserve | Summit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Material | Cloth/Leatherette | Leatherette | Leatherette | Leather | Nappa Leather | Palermo Leather |
| Heated Front Seats | ||||||
| Heated Rear Seats | ||||||
| Ventilated Seats | ||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | Opt. | |||||
| Sunroof | Panoramic | Panoramic | Panoramic | Dual-Pane | All-Sky | |
| Wheel Size | 17 in | 18 in | 18 in | 18 in | 20 in | 21 in |
| Air Suspension | Height-adj. std |
Technology
The 12.3-Inch Uconnect 5: A Screen That Earns Its Footprint
From the Laredo Altitude up, the Grand Cherokee runs a 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen with built-in navigation, wireless CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and over-the-air software update capability. The screen does not feel like an afterthought -- it is positioned high enough to glance at without dropping your eyes off the road, and the interface responds the way a phone does rather than the way a 2015 touchscreen does.
The Summit replaces the standard audio with a 19-speaker McIntosh system. If you know what McIntosh equipment costs in a listening room, you understand what that does at highway speed on the US-15-501 through Chapel Hill.
Utility
37.7 Cubic Feet Behind the Seats. 70.8 Cubic Feet When You Need It.
Every Grand Cherokee trim -- Laredo to Summit -- shares the same cargo dimensions. Behind the second row you get 37.7 cu ft, which handles a Costco run or a couple of mountain bikes without drama. Fold those seats and you have 70.8 cu ft, which is enough for a weekend's worth of camping gear for four or a pair of kayaks without needing a roof rack.
If you regularly haul more people than cargo, the Grand Cherokee L adds a third row for 6 or 7 passengers. Ask Sport Durst CDJR about both options.
The Hurricane I4 Engine
More Power Than the V6 It Replaced. Better Mileage Too.
The 2.0L Hurricane Turbo I4 is the headline for 2026. Starting with the Laredo Altitude, the Grand Cherokee drops the naturally aspirated V6 in favor of a turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 324 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque -- versus the V6's 293 hp and 260 lb-ft. The four-cylinder wins on both numbers.
The fuel economy also improves: EPA-estimated 21 city / 30 hwy on the Hurricane versus 19 city / 26 hwy on the V6. That is roughly 3-4 more miles per gallon on the highway -- which adds up across a Triangle commute or a run up to Boone on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is also worth noting: the Hurricane I4 is the first four-cylinder engine ever offered in a Grand Cherokee. America's most capable midsize SUV, now with a turbo four.
Standard on Every Trim
The Grand Cherokee Safety Suite
Every 2026 Grand Cherokee -- Laredo through Summit -- includes this core safety package. Upper trims add Active Driving Assist and available night vision.
Forward Collision Warning
Monitors the road ahead and alerts you before a potential front collision. Standard on every trim.
Automatic Emergency Braking
Applies the brakes automatically if you do not respond to a forward collision alert. Includes pedestrian detection.
Blind Spot Monitoring
Watches your side lanes and warns you when another vehicle is in your blind spot. Critical for merges on I-40 and I-85.
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
Detects vehicles crossing behind you when reversing. Especially useful in the tight parking of RTP office parks.
Lane Keeping Assist
Monitors lane markings and applies gentle steering to keep you centered. Available on all trims.
Active Driving Assist
Hands-free semi-autonomous highway driving. Standard on Laredo Altitude and above. Monitors the driver to ensure attention is maintained.
Buyer Guide
Which 2026 Grand Cherokee Is Right for You?
Laredo / Laredo X
The smart entry point
Right for first-time Jeep buyers, budget-focused shoppers, and anyone who wants a capable midsize SUV without paying for features they will not use. The Laredo X adds a sunroof and heated seats for roughly $1,600 more -- worth it in a Triangle winter.
Laredo Altitude
Best value in the lineup
The jump to the Hurricane I4 is the biggest single upgrade in this lineup. More power, better mileage, 12.3-inch screen, and Active Driving Assist -- all for approximately $43,500. If you commute on I-40 and want the modern engine, this is your trim.
Limited / Limited Reserve
The family buy
Heated everything (front seats, rear seats, steering wheel), proper leather, and 4WD standard. The Limited Reserve adds Nappa leather, a dual-pane sunroof, and surround-view cameras. If you have kids and a long list of road trips planned, the Limited is the trim that covers the whole checklist.
Summit
The flagship experience
Palermo leather, a 19-speaker McIntosh audio system, Quadra-Drive II all-wheel drive, height-adjustable air suspension, and 21-inch wheels. The Summit competes with luxury brands at $60K and wins on interior quality per dollar. If you want the best Grand Cherokee, this is it.
Sport Durst Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM in Durham, NC
We stock the full 2026 Grand Cherokee lineup -- from the Laredo to the Summit -- at our dealership on the Durham-Chapel Hill corridor. Browse inventory online or stop in for a test drive. We are located right on US-15-501, a few minutes off I-40 and close to Duke University, UNC-Chapel Hill, and the Research Triangle Park.
- Address 4511 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham, NC 27707
- Phone(919) 873-4578
- New InventoryBrowse online
- ServiceSchedule service
- FinanceApply online
What Durham Customers Say
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Common Questions
2026 Grand Cherokee FAQ
What is the difference between the 2026 Grand Cherokee Laredo and Limited?
The Laredo starts at approximately $40,410 and runs the 3.6L V6 with an 8.4-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen. The Limited starts at approximately $47,500, upgrades to the Hurricane Turbo I4 (324 hp), adds the 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 screen, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and includes Quadra-Trac I 4WD as standard. For most Triangle families who drive all four seasons, the Limited is the practical long-term buy.
Does the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee have a V8 engine?
No. The 5.7L HEMI V8 was discontinued for MY2026. The 2026 Grand Cherokee is offered with either the 3.6L Pentastar V6 (293 hp, on Laredo and Laredo X) or the new 2.0L Hurricane Turbo I4 (324 hp, on Laredo Altitude through Summit). The Hurricane actually makes more horsepower than the V6 it replaces and returns better fuel economy.
What is the 2026 Grand Cherokee towing capacity?
The 2026 Grand Cherokee tows up to 6,200 lbs when properly equipped -- consistent across all trims. Towing requires the appropriate hitch and trailer package. If you are hauling a boat or a camper up toward Lake Gaston or Jordan Lake, the Grand Cherokee handles the job. See Sport Durst CDJR in Durham at (919) 873-4578 for tow package details.
Is 4-wheel drive standard on all 2026 Grand Cherokee trims?
No. The Laredo, Laredo X, and Laredo Altitude are available in 4x2 (rear-wheel drive) or 4WD configurations -- 4WD adds approximately $2,000 on those trims. The Limited, Limited Reserve, and Summit come standard with 4WD. The Summit uses Quadra-Drive II with a full-time all-wheel drive option and an electronic rear limited-slip differential.
What happened to the Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid for 2026?
The Grand Cherokee 4xe has been discontinued for MY2026. Stellantis ended its North American PHEV programs beginning with the 2026 model year. The 2026 Grand Cherokee is available in V6 or Hurricane I4 gasoline configurations only. No plug-in replacement has been announced as of model year 2026.
Is there a 3-row Grand Cherokee?
Yes. The Grand Cherokee L is the extended-wheelbase 3-row version, adding 11.4 inches of wheelbase and a third row for 6 or 7 passengers. It shares the same engine and trim structure as the 2-row Grand Cherokee and starts at approximately $42,410 (Laredo L). Sport Durst CDJR in Durham carries both models -- call (919) 873-4578 to check availability.
What is the Hurricane engine in the 2026 Grand Cherokee?
The Hurricane is Stellantis's 2.0L turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine producing 324 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. It first appears in the Grand Cherokee starting with the Laredo Altitude trim. The Hurricane makes more power than the 3.6L V6 it replaces on those trims and improves fuel economy to approximately 21 city / 30 hwy. It is the first four-cylinder engine ever offered in a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Which Grand Cherokee trim is best for RTP and Durham commuters?
The Laredo Altitude is the sweet spot for Triangle commuters. It gets you the Hurricane I4 engine, the 12.3-inch Uconnect 5 with navigation, Active Driving Assist for I-40 and I-85 driving, and wireless CarPlay for roughly $43,500. The Limited is worth the step-up if you want heated rear seats and Quadra-Trac I 4WD standard for winter driving on NC-54 and US-15-501.
Can I test drive the 2026 Grand Cherokee in Durham?
Yes. Sport Durst Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM is at 4511 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, right on US-15-501 a few minutes from I-40 and Duke University. Sales hours are Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m. Call (919) 873-4578 or browse inventory online to schedule a test drive on any trim in the Grand Cherokee lineup.
Ready to Drive the 2026 Grand Cherokee?
Sport Durst CDJR stocks the full lineup in Durham. Find your trim, schedule a test drive, or start your finance application online.
4511 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham, NC 27707