Jeep’s Most Off-Road-Capable Grand Cherokee Returns to the Lineup for 2027
What Car Shoppers Need to Know
- The Jeep Grand Cherokee was updated for 2026 with a new engine and tweaked styling.
- The Trailhawk and Overland trims were paused in 2026 but return for 2027.
- The Trailhawk is the most capable off-road Grand Cherokee; the Overland blends capability and luxury.
Jeep updated the Grand Cherokee for 2026, but as sometimes happens in complicated vehicle lineups, the brand didn’t update every Grand Cherokee. Two specialized Grand Cherokees took a one-model-year hiatus, but the Trailhawk and Overland trims are back for 2027.
Central to the revisions for the 2026 Grand Cherokee was an all-new turbocharged four-cylinder engine that replaced the Pentastar V-6 in most trims. (The entry-level Laredo and Laredo X are the exceptions.) As two of the pricier members of the Grand Cherokee family, the Trailhawk and Overland both receive the new engine. Its 324 horsepower and 332 pounds-feet of torque are gains of 31 hp and a whopping 72 pounds-feet over the old V-6. An eight-speed automatic sends power to standard four-wheel drive in both Jeeps.
Related: 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2.0-Liter MPG: Barely Better Than the V-6
What Makes a Trailhawk?
In the Trailhawk, that 4WD system is Jeep’s Quadra-Trac II, which differs from the Quadra-Trac I in lesser Grand Cherokees in that it has a low-range gearing. A limited-slip rear differential helps the Trailhawk take further advantage of available traction. Jeep’s Quadra-Lift height-adjustable air suspension and 30.5-inch all-terrain tires give the Trailhawk up to 11.4 inches of ground clearance, a half-inch more than other Grand Cherokees.
Jeep also tweaked the Grand Cherokee’s exterior and interior styling for 2026, but the Trailhawk gets a different front bumper that contributes to increased approach, breakover and departure angles. The Trailhawk’s critical angles measure 36/24.4/30.3 degrees, respectively, compared to 28.2/24/26.6 for the rest of the lineup. Should those measurements be insufficient, the Trailhawk’s belly is reinforced with skid plates protecting the engine, transmission, transfer case, suspension and fuel tank. It also sports red tow hooks, two in the front and one in the rear.
A forward-facing camera Jeep calls TrailCam helps the driver spot boulders, and dynamic lines that shift with the steering wheel help them precisely place their tires. A large matte-black decal cuts glare from the hood, and a black leather interior with red stitching distinguishes the Trailhawk from inside.
Overlanding Vs. Trailhawking
Like the Trailhawk, the Grand Cherokee Overland is fitted with the two-speed transfer case and rides on the height-adjustable air suspension. Intended to blend a greater degree of luxury into the off-road experience, the Overland gets shiny jewelry (tow hooks) instead of red pieces, while black lower bodywork and 21-inch wheels inject a touch of the tuxedo class. The Overland pampers occupants with heated and ventilated front seats as well as heated rears. It also features a 360-degree camera system.
Release Date and Pricing
The revived 2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk and Overland will go on sale later this year, with pricing to be announced closer to the start of sales.
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