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2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Drops V6 for a Four-Cylinder Turbo, Power and Efficiency Go Up

Jeep is shaking up the Grand Cherokee lineup by dropping the naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6 in favor of an all-new 2.0-liter Hurricane 4 Turbo engine. The move results in a boost to conventional power, with the new four-cylinder engine making a rated 324 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque—an impressive 162 hp per liter. The PHEV 4xe model remains the most potent option with a carryover 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The updated Grand Cherokee, which also receives a mid-cycle facelift, is set to arrive in showrooms late this year.

Hurricane 4 Turbo: More Power, Better Efficiency

The new Hurricane 4 Turbo engine promises significant performance and efficiency gains over the outgoing V6.

New Engine: 2.0-liter Hurricane 4 Turbo (part of the larger Stellantis Hurricane engine family).
Output: 324 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque.
V6 Comparison: This is a clear improvement over the retiring 3.6-liter V6, which produced 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque.
Key Technology: Turbulent Jet Ignition (TJI): Jeep says the new engine uses TJI, a race-proven combustion technology. TJI ignites a small amount of fuel in a pre-chamber, creating a faster, cleaner, and more complete burn of the air-fuel charge, leading to improved fuel economy without sacrificing power.
Torque Delivery: A variable geometry turbocharger provides boost at low RPM, with 80% of peak torque available at just 2,300 rpm.
Towing: The new Hurricane-powered Grand Cherokee maintains a strong 6,200-pound tow rating, matching the V6.

4xe Plug-in Hybrid Details

The powerful and efficient plug-in hybrid option continues as the performance leader.

Powertrain: The 4xe PHEV carries over its own turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, paired with an eTorque belt-start generator/motor and an AC traction motor.
Combined Output: 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque.
Electric-Only Range: The water-sealed 17.3-kWh lithium nickel manganese cobalt battery provides up to 25 miles of electric-only propulsion.
Towing: The 4xe is rated for 6,000 pounds of towing.

Mid-Cycle Facelift and Pricing

The updated 2026 Grand Cherokee receives a refresh inside and out.

Exterior: Gets a mid-cycle facelift with an updated seven-slot grille, new headlight design, and modified rear and lower fascia.
Interior Tech: Features a new, larger 12.3-inch infotainment screen (up from the previous 10.1-inch standard screen) and an available 19-speaker McIntosh audio system.
Configurations: Available in two-row (Grand Cherokee) and three-row (Grand Cherokee L) configurations.
Pricing: Prices for the base Laredo trim start at $40,730, while the Hurricane-powered models start at $46,135. Jeep notes prices are subject to change by launch time.
Trim Levels: The simplified non-hybrid lineup includes Laredo, Limited, and Summit. The 4xe trims include Limited, Summit, and Trailhawk.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s bold move to swap out the reliable V6 for the high-tech Hurricane 4 Turbo demonstrates Stellantis’s commitment to maximizing power and efficiency in its core gasoline lineup. The new engine’s TJI technology and impressive 324 hp output make the Grand Cherokee more potent and modern, while the continued availability of the even stronger 4xe PHEV ensures a diverse, high-performance powertrain selection. These engine and technology updates should keep the Grand Cherokee highly competitive in the crowded midsize SUV segment.

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