--- title: "Jeep Is Lost in the Wilderness. Can It Find the Trail Again?" date: "2026-02-25" modified: "2026-02-25" authors: - name: "Joel Feder" job_title: "Director of Content and Product" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/joel-feder" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/jeep-is-lost-in-the-wilderness-can-it-find-the-trail-again" categories: - "Jeep News" - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Podcasts" tags: - "Jeep" - "Off-Road" - "SUV" --- # Jeep Is Lost in the Wilderness. Can It Find the Trail Again? ![Jeep Drivecast Ep. 5 hero]() An American icon is trying to turn things around to the point execs are publicly admitting mistakes were made. That icon? It's [Jeep](). Arguably Jeep is the Kleenex of off-road vehicles, but the brand's traditionally rugged reputation has been mired in a mountain of issues ranging from poor reliability, massive recalls, strategic confusion, and more. Even the Wrangler somehow cost over $100,000 in some variants. Now, the big reset is here. From [dropping the price on a V8-powered Wrangler by $30,000]() to dropping the Wagoneer namplate and [realigning the Grand Wagoneer lineup](), Jeep's on a mission from high above in Chrysler World Headquarters and Technology Center (known as CTC) to right the ship and get back on the trail. In January, *The Drive* exclusively reported that [the Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid was dead](). The electrified Wrangler was at one point the best-selling plug-in hybrid in the U.S. market. Then last week, we broke the news that the [Grand Cherokee is primed to get its V8 back](), [SRT-badged Grand Cherokees with Hellcat engines in them and Trackhawk badges]() smell like they are in the pipeline, and where all the off-road [Trail-Rated Grand Cherokee models went]() now that they are absent from the lineup. Senior Editor Caleb Jacobs also [slid behind the wheel of the resurrected 2026 Jeep Cherokee](), now back after a three-year hiatus with a new twist to go after the Toyota RAV4: a standard hybrid powertrain. Jacobs also [drove the 2026 Grand Cherokee](), which was refreshed and debuts a [new baby Hurricane turbo-four engine]() option. I myself have [spent time in the electric Jeep Wagoneer S]() only to be saddened that the automaker's first EV seems to be unfinished. And [the electric Recon]()? It's still not here yet. We've had some inside access to Jeep executives, talked with engineers, designers, and spent countless hours behind the wheel of these machines to figure out what's really going on. So, let's go behind the curtain on Jeep to see if the turnaround can actually work. https://open.spotify.com/episode/6JOoD7jU9I0nmlQEH0tHWx *The Drivecast* is free, just like [Spyglass–*The Drive*‘s spy shot newsletter]()—because everyone should be an insider, and is available on both [Spotify]() and [Apple Podcasts](). Episodes of *The Drivecast* can always be listened to right here on *The Drive* via the embed above. Every episode of *The Drivecast* can be found via the Podcasts tab on the homepage menu bar. Grab a cup of coffee and give episode 5 of *The Drivecast* a listen on your platform of choice. Like what you hear? Leave us a five-star review as it helps get *The Drivecast* in front of more people. Feedback is both welcome and encouraged by dropping us a line at feedback@thedrive.com. I promise, we read each and every email. *Got a topic idea you would like to hear on The Drivecast? Drop us a line at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Overseeing what you see, read, touch, hear, and interact with from the vast lakes of Minnesota, Joel Feder shapes how The Drive looks and operates as the head of content and product initiatives. On a daily basis, Joel leads the newsroom and editorial staff playing point on both short-term coverage and long-term strategic plans. His mission is to help ensure The Drive shapes the future of automotive media by helping the team execute original reporting, breaking news, and exclusive opportunities. Regarded as an industry insider and recognized by colleagues, fellow journalists, and manufacturers as a point-person and leader in the industry, Joel owns and runs the largest automotive professionals group on Facebook in an effort to serve and help others. Joel serves as a juror for the World Car Awards. In addition, he is the board chair and chair of the governance and nominating committee for Move Forward MN, a local non-profit that helps at-risk youth with barrier-free mental health and housing services. While you’re reading this he’s either on his computer or iPhone chasing the latest news or drafting a story. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]() [Bluesky]() [Email]()