After a brief and awkward disappearance from the lineup, Jeep’s dirt-loving Grand Cherokee Trailhawk is officially on its way back. The catch? The plug-in hybrid version that was supposed to carry the badge forward has been benched, and the rugged trim will land as a 2027 model with a more familiar setup under the hood.
- Jeep confirmed the Trailhawk returns later this year, likely as a 2027 model following the refreshed Grand Cherokee.
- The 4xe plug-in hybrid powertrain is gone after Stellantis pulled its PHEV offerings in North America.
- Expect Trail Rated hardware, red tow hooks, hood decals, and gas engine options ranging from the Pentastar V6 to the new Hurricane turbo-four.
What the Teaser Actually Shows
In typical Jeep fashion, the company managed to reveal just enough to build a touch of excitement without actually showing the whole vehicle. The dark, moody image gives away a few signature cues Trailhawk fans will recognize instantly. The front fascia appears to wear a slightly more aggressive lower bumper, there’s a bright red tow hook peeking out from the corner, and the hood sports a red accent decal similar to graphics used on previous Trailhawk models. The teaser also shows amber daytime running lights, a blacked-out seven-slot grille, and what looks like a darker trim treatment across the entire front end.
Jeep’s mid-size family SUV will once again wear the brand’s ‘Trail Rated’ badge when the Trailhawk trim returns later this year. No exact launch date has been given, but the reveal came shortly after the annual Easter Jeep Safari wrapped up in Moab.
Why the PHEV Version Got the Axe
The previous Grand Cherokee Trailhawk was offered exclusively as a plug-in hybrid with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. That option won’t return. Stellantis recently decided to discontinue its plug-in hybrid offerings in North America, leading to the removal of the Trailhawk 4xe. That left the refreshed 2026 Grand Cherokee without its most off-road-focused trim, which never sat well with loyalists.
The broader industry continues to wrestle with how aggressive to get on electrification. While rivals such as Kia electric vehicles keep expanding their battery-powered lineups, Stellantis is taking the opposite tack with its Jeep brand, leaning harder into combustion power where shoppers have been voting with their wallets.
Likely Powertrain Options
Here’s where the speculation gets fun. What sits under the hood remains an open question. Jeep could lean on the V6, pivot to the turbocharged four-cylinder, or offer both depending on how it wants to position the lineup.
The rest of the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee lineup debuted a new 2.0-liter Hurricane inline-four, putting out 324 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. That’s a decent amount of grunt in its own right, but it’s not exactly what enthusiasts are clamoring for. Purists keep circling back to two other possibilities. One is the reliable 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that powered earlier Trailhawks. The other, and the one generating the loudest chatter, is the 5.7-liter HEMI V8. Although well down on the old plug-in’s 375 hp and 470 lb-ft, a new gas engine should produce enough midrange muscle to ease the Trailhawk over large boulders and stumps.
Off-Road Gear You Can Expect
The Trailhawk formula hasn’t really changed since its debut, and the 2027 version looks set to stick with the proven recipe. The Trailhawk should once again feature the brand’s Quadra-Drive II 4×4 system with an active transfer case and rear electronic limited-slip differential. That system continuously monitors traction and can shift power where it’s needed most, which matters when climbing rocks, crossing mud, or dealing with uneven terrain.
Previous models included underbody skid plates, an air suspension system, a disconnecting front anti-sway bar, and an electronic limited-slip differential. Add Trailhawk-specific wheels, genuine all-terrain rubber, and a matte-black anti-glare hood decal, and you’ve got a package that can actually earn the badge on the fender.
What It Signals for Jeep’s Direction
Jeep needs this model. The Grand Cherokee carries the torch for the brand as arguably its most important vehicle. As reviewers noted back when the Pentastar-powered Trailhawk first launched, while most buyers probably won’t use its capability, they want to know it’s available. Bringing back a gas-only Trailhawk shows Jeep is recommitting to the rough-and-tumble image that built the brand, instead of letting electrification dictate every trim strategy.
For reference, including destination, the 2025 model year Trailhawk used to retail at $66,185 in the US market. Dropping the expensive PHEV hardware could open the door for more approachable pricing this time around, which would widen its appeal well beyond hardcore rock crawlers.
Ready to Hit the Trail Again
The return of the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk is one of those moves that just makes sense. Jeep has a Trail Rated identity to protect, and leaving its most capable mid-size SUV without a proper off-road trim was never going to last. Whether it shows up with a Pentastar, a Hurricane four, or something louder with eight cylinders, the 2027 Trailhawk looks poised to put the brand back in familiar territory with tow hooks, skid plates, and a badge that actually means something once the pavement ends.
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